This Thursday at 18:30, in the quarter-finals of the U-20 European Championship in Romania, Spain and Slovenia will showcase much more than just a handball match. It will be a showdown between two generational talents who have been electrifying fans on social media for weeks: Marcos Fis (19) and Aljus Anzic (18), known in his country as the 'Lamine Yamal' of Slovenian handball. Two young men who, at this stage of their careers, are already writing stories that seem taken from a sports video game.

Fis: the MVP who conquered Barcelona

Marcos Fis is no stranger to the international scene. He boasts experience that few prospects his age can claim: he has already played for the Spanish senior national team at last January's European Championship, a credential that sets him apart from other young talents.

But what truly marked the turning point in his career was his breakthrough in his debut season as pivot for Fraikin BM Granollers. His performance was so outstanding that it earned him the MVP award of the ASOBAL League, a recognition that rarely comes to a player taking his first steps in the elite.

This caught Barcelona's full attention, and the club wasted no time making moves. The blaugrana signed him as a replacement for Dika Mem, when the Frenchman moves to Füchse Berlin in 2027. A figure that speaks volumes: Barcelona already sees him as a key piece for years to come. Fis has scored 28 goals in this U-20 European Championship, where Spain is pursuing their third consecutive gold medal.

Anzic: the rejection that now hurts Barcelona

The story of Aljus Anzic with Barcelona is, perhaps, even more compelling. As reported by mundodeportivo.com, it all began when Jordi Rosell, coordinator of Barcelona's academy, travelled to the Four Nations Tournament in Tarazona (Zaragoza) in 2024 and spotted raw talent in Celje's centre back. Without anyone outside Slovenia knowing much about him, Rosell saw something special.

Barcelona acted fast: they contacted Anzic and offered him a trial at the Joan Gamper Sports City. The youngster impressed the coaches, and the technical staff presented an attractive offer: La Masia, Barcelona B and, depending on his progress, minutes with Carlos Ortega in the first team.

But here comes the twist: Anzic rejected the offer. The Slovenian, standing 1.88 metres tall, preferred to stay in his family environment in Celje, where his mother Alenka is club president and his father Ales is a goalkeeper coach. He prioritised growing as a player in his homeland and competing in Europe with his team, eventually renewing with Celje until 2028.

A meteoric rise in numbers

Anzic's decision seems to have paid off. With Celje he won the Slovenian League and will return to the Champions League in 2026-27, sharing a group with Aalborg, Paris SG and Zagreb. He also reached the semi-finals of the EHF European Cup as top scorer with 62 goals.

In this U-20 European Championship, Anzic is Slovenia's primary offensive reference. He started by scoring 15 goals against Poland (40-34) and has accumulated 42 goals in five matches, averaging 8.4 per game, as well as providing 23 assists (4.6 per match).

The figure that leaves everyone speechless: in summer 2025, at just 17 years old, Anzic participated in two World Championships. At the U-21 level he was the youngest player in the competition and finished as third top scorer with 61 goals.

A battle awaited

This Thursday's clash is not just Fis versus Anzic; it represents the present and future of two powerhouses fighting to maintain their dominance in Europe. Spain is chasing their third consecutive gold. Slovenia, fuelled by the blood of its new talents, wants to cause an upset.

Who will take the victory? What is clear is that, whoever wins, we will hear these names again. Both have the makings of legend.