An East Whitburn handball star is hoping to lead Great Britain to European success next month.
Chris White, who plays for Portuguese outfit Ginasio Clube de Tarouca, is a former Livingston Handball Club player and is back in West Lothian for the festive break.
It’s then all systems go for the 24-year-old as he jets off to Azerbaijan as GB aim for top spot in the 2026 European Championship Qualifiers Phase One.
The Brits will take on the hosts, Cyprus and Malta as they look to progress to the next phase with their first clash against the Cypriots being the one highlighted by White as the key clash.
Speaking to the Courier, he said: “We’re all meeting up in Istanbul as there’s guys in the squad from all across Europe and further afield before flying out to Baku on January 11.
“I think the biggest game is the first one against Cyprus. We’re going there with the view of winning the competition. Anything less than that will be a failure in my eyes.
“I’ve been part of the senior set-up for a few years now but this is probably the biggest tournament.
“Certainly in terms of pressure and expectation because we are going there to win. Previouisly it was more about development and playing well but now it’s purely result-based and I think that’s what we need and want as a team.”
Chris first joined Livingston some 13 years ago before embarking on a career that has taken him across Europe but he jumped at the chance to take in a training session with his old club during his time back in Scotland.
While home is always where the heart is, he admits his time on the continent has given him the platform needed to improve his game.
He said: “I started at Livingston when I was around 11 and played with them until I was 19 before splitting time between here and Denmark.
“I had two seasons in Portugal before another year back home and then moved back out to Portugal. I’m loving it there - both lifestyle and handball.
“I miss home but when you’re getting sunny days in November and training every day, it’s brilliant. We’re training four or five times a week and then playing games every week too.
“It’s a different environment over there. Sometimes in Scotland it’s every two or three weeks for a game but I needed something like being with Tarouca to help my game.”
And he’s delighted to see the next generation of talent already being recognised at the national stage with Livi duo Sam McEwan and Dallas Callaghan recently being selected for the GB under-18 programme.
Chris said: “Livingston are a great club and it’s produced loads of Scotland and GB players at all ages over the years.
“To see Sam and Dallas getting called into the under-18 GB programme is brilliant for them and for the club and it speaks volumes about the level of talent coming through Livingston.”
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