The Bundesliga begins this week, with a pair of matches on Thursday night, and we're breaking tradition by bringing you our first dedicated podcast of the season before a ball is thrown. Two of our top German contributors, Björn Pazen and Tim Dettmar, join forces on the pod for the first time to discuss new-look Kiel, just how unstoppable Magdeburg are and whether Gummersbach are a dark-horse or just a horse.

Ahead of this weekend's German Super Cup between SC Magdeburg and Fuchse Berlin, we take a look at what has changed for both teams and consider whether it's the end of an era for one or both, which areas of the court might cause trouble and who looks in better shape ahead of the traditional season curtain-raiser.

In a thrilling conclusion to a brilliant week of beach handball, Argentina are women's world champions, while Germany sit atop the men's game. Ebiye Udo-Udoma is back with us to help us break down the conclusion of the championships, what lessons will be learned and gives us some breaking news about his return to the court with Lewis Howes' Los Angeles Team Handball. For the video breakdown early in our interview, watch it in full on patreon.com/handballhour for free.

Filip Jicha's time with THW Kiel came to an end this week. We reflect on this era which began with trophies galore and ended with their worst season in decades. Inevitable? Unfortunate? We discuss with Björn Pazen. Friday saw the draw for next season's EHF Champions League, which has a new format on the men's side. 24 teams and immediate jeopardy, what more do you want?

We're well used to Barcelona winning this title over the years but this one felt a little different. With the German sides favoured by most and Aalborg the hipster tip for the trophy, the Catalan club reminded us all what it takes to get through this weekend, surviving Saturday's semi-final slog before a masterclass in the final against Berlin. Emil Nielsen's early showdowns with Gidsel and Andersson set the tone and Barca never looked back. We break down the action and the players who made it happen, discuss the history made by the champions and wonder if Berlin's golden chance has passed them by.

The four contenders have arrived in Cologne, ready to clash in one of the most tightly contested FINAL4s in years. All four sides have a real say in the destination of the Champions League trophy this weekend and that's what makes these weekends truly special. We discuss the two semi-finals and figure out where the difference will be made, before making our predictions. We hear from Aalborg's German star Juri Knorr on his FINAL4 memories as a fan before he experiences it as a player for the first time. And we conclude with a dramatic reading, sharing the words of the man looking to atone for a slip last year.

Metz claimed their first Women's Champions League title with a pair of brilliant performances led by an unstoppable Sarah Bouktit. We look back at their weekend in Budapest, try to make sense of the World Championship wildcards and unpack the conclusion of the Bundesliga season. Our buildup to Cologne continues this week with our mystery interview on patreon.com/handballhour first, followed by a full preview of the Men's FINAL4.

All eyes on Budapest this weekend as the Women's EHF FINAL4 rolls into town. Reigning champions Györ are favourites but must overcome a Brest team at the end of an era and with recent history at this stage on their side, while Metz will look to overcome their semi-final hoodoo against CSM Bucuresti, buoyed by returning to the sport's pinnacle event. Aleksa Pavicevic joins us to preview the party. Anne Mette Hansen is heading to her eighth consecutive Women's EHF FINAL4 this weekend, a remarkable record for one of the most reliable players in the sport. Since reaching Budapest for the first time in 2018 and winning the title with Györ, she hasn't missed women's handball's biggest party. Just days before returning, Hansen speaks to us from Bucharest about a rollercoaster first season with CSM, helping them to break a quarter-final curse, her standout memories from her FINAL4 history with Györ and Metz and what it takes to come through the weekend with the title in hand.

Crunchtime across Europe as major league titles are being won in France and Germany, while deciders await in Denmark, Hungary and Poland. We discuss PSG denying Nantes and big news at the top and bottom of Denmark's top flight, while Tim Dettmar joins us to look at the Bundesliga run in and the German-heavy EHF Finals in Hamburg this weekend.

It's national team week for the men with places at next January's World Championship in Germany on the line. Plenty of intrigue among the 10 European play-offs, while it comes down to USA vs Greenland in Iowa on Saturday. Team Handball News' John Ryan joins us to chat about the tournament, how Team USA is shaping up and the new residency project players in action at this weekend's club championship in the same location. For access to all our Morning Club episodes, join us on patreon.com/handballhour