The deal will see the two parties working together to continue the development of match ball technology, with the official match balls for the EHF European Championships and EHF Champions League, as well as the newly re-launched Men's EHF Cup, to be supplied by the global sports giant.

After the signing the new agreement with adidas' head of global sports marketing Summer Olympic sports Jim Latham (pictured top, right), EHF President Jean Brihault (pictured top, left) welcomed the extended partnership.

"Adidas has been an official partner of the EHF since the federation's foundation back in 1991, and I am delighted that the company has decided to continue its investment in European handball," he explained.

"A longstanding partnership with a global brand such as adidas underlines the strength of the sport and the EHF's flagship competitions on the international market."

As well as the branding and advertising opportunities provided to adidas through the EHF's top-level club and national team competitions, the cooperation will see further brand activation activities and the expansion of the merchandising programme in both the EHF Champions League and at the Velux EHF Final4.

"Adidas' involvement in handball stretches back over 50 years, when we first began producing handball shoes," Latham said.

"We are extremely pleased to be able to continue our flagship handball partnership with the EHF and the EHF Champions League.

"Together, we have achieved a great deal in the last few years with the development and promotion of projects such as the Velux EHF Final4 - we are looking forward to working together to help grow the sport and to continue to push boundaries in handball footwear, apparel and hardwear."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]