Favourites kickstart their campaign; Groups B and C already into the second round
16 Jan. 2025
Four teams from three continents start the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship full of hope in Zagreb on Thursday. The quartet of teams all have their own goals and ambitions, not least Slovenia, who are aiming for another world championship podium spot and who open the group with a match against Cuba, returning to the event after a gap of 16 years.
Group F also throws off in the Unity Arena in Baerum, where medal hopefuls Spain and Sweden are aiming to throw off their campaign with wins.
The action continues in Poreč as group C enters its second round with two new interesting clashes. France, the reigning European champions, are taking on Kuwait, who are looking to build on their spirited return to the World Championship. Later in the day, Austria and Qatar face off in what could be a key encounter for both sides.
In Group B, Italy and Denmark are looking for their second wins, after already throwing off the competition in style in Herning.
GROUP B
- 18:00 CET Italy vs Algeria
Playing their first IHF Men's World Championship after a 28-year absence, Italy coped with the pressure in their opening match and enjoyed a dream start of the competition, beating Tunisia, 32:25. The European side were dominant in the first half, and went on to claim their biggest-ever victory at this level, by seven goals, as hummel Player of the match Leo Prantner netted 10 times.
By taking two points, Italy made a big step towards the main round, and the next match against Algeria may play a crucial role for them, as with a win, the Italians will secure their progression. While giving a credit to their next opponents, Italy's head coach Riccardo Trillini seems to be confident in his team.
"We have taken an important step, and now we have to continue. I think Algeria is stronger than Tunisia, but we'll have to continue doing what we have always done: prepare for the match like for the other games and arrive with the same spirit," he said after the game with Tunisia.
Unlike the Italians, Algeria have yet to open their account, as they were defeated by Denmark on Tuesday, 22:47. The reigning champions, who are looking for their fourth consecutive title in the world's handball flagship competition, taught a lesson to the African side, and the match against Italy will show how well Algeria learned it.
At Poland/Sweden 2023, they took just one win in seven matches and finished 31st of 32 participants, but now the team coached by Farouk Dehili are determined to do better. This is a must-win match by Algeria, as they face Tunisia in the last match of the preliminary round.
- 20:30 CET Tunisia vs Denmark
Similar to their African rivals, Tunisia have no points after their opening match, as they were defeated by Italy on Tuesday. The team coached by Mohamed Ali Sighir struggled to find solutions in both attack and defence, so a seven-goal defeat looked quite logical.
Now Tunisia need at least one win in two remaining Group B games to reach the main round, but it will be extremely hard for them to snatch any points in the first of these encounters. Denmark, who have won the IHF Men's World Championship in 2019, 2021 and 2023, hope to add another trophy to their collection and are viewed as the main contender for the title, and they proved their power in the opening match against Algeria, winning 47:22.
Denmark actually claimed one of their biggest wins in their history at the IHF Men's World Championship and tied the number of goals scored at Argentina 2011, when they defeated Australia 47:12. 11 Danish players put their names on the scoresheet in the match against Algeria, with Mathias Gidsel leading the way with 10 goals.
Despite an emphatic win, which extended Denmark's unbeaten run at the IHF Men's World Championships to 29 matches, their coach Nikolaj Jacobsen looked concerned after the match, as the playmaker Rasmus Lauge sustained an injury. And on Wednesday, it became clear that the 33-year-old would miss the match against Tunisia and probably the following game against Italy.
Tunisia have the experience of defeating Denmark at this level, as the African side won 25:22 on home court at Tunisia 2005, where they finished fourth. However, Denmark celebrated victories in all four other mutual encounters at the IHF Men's World Championship, including 34:21 at Poland/Sweden 2023, and they are seen as strong favourites in the upcoming game.
GROUP C
- 18:00 CET Kuwait vs France
Kuwait may have been missing from the IHF Men’s World Championship for 16 years, but the debut against Austria showed they are ready to fight. Despite their 26:37 loss, Kuwait had moments of great play, especially in the first half through their back players: right back Mohammed Alhendal, centre back Saif Aldawani and left back Mohammad Radhei, who netted four goals each.
However, their young and inexperienced team could not keep up as the demanding rhythm proved to be too high in the second half. Against France, Kuwait will face an even tougher challenge. Possible turnovers coming from their fast pace will be easily punished by the French side who is an expert in imposing their own game while having a wide rotation within the team.
“We need more time as a team to make progress. We have a young team, and we will continue to work to be better in the future. these games will help us,” said Kuwait's left wing Abdulaziz Alshammari.
France opened their campaign with a commanding 37:19 win over Qatar, showcasing their trademark speed and precision. Every French player except Mathieu Grebille scored, highlighting the team's depth.
With players like Aymeric Minne, Dika Mem and Thibaud Briet in excellent form and a very good goalkeeping pair, France will look to maintain the momentum and secure another convincing win while dosing the minutes for every player. A win would seal their spot in the main round, and they are aiming to be on top.
“We have to keep the level high, and of course, it is special to play against Kuwait. We don't know them well, and it could be surprising. We will prepare as usual,” added France's head coach Guillaume Gille.
France and Kuwait played only once against each other at the World Championship in 2001, and the French team claimed a convincing 30:14 win in Group B.
- 20:30 CET Austria vs Qatar
Austria began their World Championship campaign in style, overcoming Kuwait 37:26. A strong second performance, led by goalkeeper Constantin Möstl, sealed the victory and opened the door to the main round. Austria's last two participations saw them in the Presidents' Cup, and that is something they want to avoid. If they confirm their good play against Qatar, they are progressing further.
Austria took full advantage of their opener, giving valuable minutes to every player and building confidence for the next matches. With Nikola Bylik and Janko Božović injured, Austria need their players to be on a high and progress in each game. Even though they were secure in the second half, they still need to work a bit on a one-on-one duel in defence.
“Playing against Qatar is going to be a hard game. They lost against France, but the French team is really dominant. It is going to be interesting. We will fight again to win,” said Aleš Pajovič, Austria's head coach.
For Qatar, the opening match against France was always going to be a tough test. Head coach Veselin Vujovic, who is leading Qatar for the first time at the World Championship, admitted as much, stating that their real competition begins with the clash against Austria. Qatar struggled in their first game, particularly from the backcourt, with their shooters converting just over 21 per cent of their attempts (6/29), leaving Qatar without what used to be their strongest weapon.
Despite the defeat, Vujovic managed to also rest some of the key players and it could give them an edge against Austria, but they need to produce their best performance. If Qatar loses, they will seek progression to the main round, their goal, in the last game of the group against well-known foe, Kuwait.
This will be the only second time Qatar and Austria meet at the World Championship. The last one was in 2015 when Qatar ultimately won the silver medal. In the round of 16, the current Asian champions knocked Austria out of the competition with a 29:27 victory. Interestingly, Žarko Marković and Rafael Capote, who are still in Qatar's squad at this World Championship, combined 15 goals.
GROUP F
- 18:00 CET Spain vs Chile
Bronze medallists at the previous two editions at the IHF Men’s World Championship, Spain will have a new team at Croatia/Denmark/Norway 2025, with plenty of fresh faces after “Los Hispanos” secured the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, prompting a slew of retirements from the national team.
Stalwarts like Jorge Maqueda, Viran Morros or Joan Canellas are no longer in the squad, while right wings Aleix Gomez and Kauldi Odriozola are missing due to injuries. Therefore, fresh faces like the Cikusa brothers – Petar and Djordje – as well as left wing Ian Barrufet will be trusted to spearhead a new era for Spain.
“We cannot focus exclusively on what the team was: now this team is new, partly because of the age index we have; and the calendar we must accept it as it is. The first match against Chile will be crucial, and we have to prepare for it as best as possible,” said Spain’s coach, Jordi Ribera.
Spain have an immaculate head-to-head record against both Chile, securing two wins in two matches at the IHF Men’s World Championship against the South American side, 37:16 in 2015 and 34:26 in 2023, both matches being played in the preliminary round.
Chile also are rebuilding, with only few of their golden generation players, such as the Salinas brothers, plus Erwin Feuchtmann still in the squad, with both Rodrigo Salinas and Feuchtmann being close to the 250-goals mark at the IHF Men’s World Championship, as the former has 241 goals, while the latter 237 goals.
- 20:30 CET Sweden vs Japan
With a new coach at the helm, Michael Apelgren, Sweden are launching their campaign at the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship in the Unity Arena in Baerum with a tough match against Japan, a team which proved they are no pushovers in a certain scenario.
This would be Sweden’s 130th win in history at the IHF Men’s World Championship, the largest number in history, but the Scandinavian side has some injury woes, including line players Max Darj and Oscar Bergendahl, who are missing from the squad.
Japan have lost their matches against Sweden – two at the World Championship and two at the Olympic Games – more recently at Tokyo 2020, 26:28, and at Paris 2024, 27:40.
While Japan are definitely on the up, they are already at their third coach in 2024, with Dagur Sigurdsson leading the team at the 2024 AHF Asian Men’s Handball Championship, where they finished second, before leaving to take up Croatia’s offer. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Japan were coached by Antonio Carlos Ortega and now they are led by Toni Gerona, Serbia and Tunisia’s former coach.
But the Asian side will miss key players in centre back Kosuke Yasuhira and line player Shuichi Yoshida, who are featuring in Europe and have not been named in the extended squad, as Toni Gerona will have plenty to work on, with a young squad at his disposal.
GROUP H
- 18:00 CET Slovenia vs Cuba
It has been 30 years since these two teams last met in an IHF Men’s World Championship and since then, they have gone in very different directions.
At Iceland 1995, Slovenia were appearing as an independent nation for the very first time, while Cuba were at their fourth global event.
That experience told when the two teams met, with Cuba taking a 34:26 preliminary round win. The Cubans went on to finish in 13th place – then their joint-highest ranking, since their 1982 debut.
Ahead of the teams qualifying through to 2025, Cuba would go on to appear just three more times at the world championship, with appearances in 1997 (14th), 1999 (8th) and 2009 (20th), while Slovenia would be present at nine editions, including taking bronze at France 2017.
Slovenia coach Uros Zorman – who has already named his 18-man squad, leaving out Mitja Janc and Matic Suholežnik from his initial 20 – will be keen to make an impression in 2025, after his first qualification (Poland/Sweden 2023) came via a wild card spot following a loss to Serbia in the European qualification stage. Two years ago, Slovenia finished 10th and since then, Zorman has secured a sixth-place finish at the 2024 European Championship, qualification through to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games where they finished fourth, after losing to Spain in the bronze medal match.
Talent such as Blaz Janc and Aleks Vlah, who both won silver at the 2015 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship in Russia, should mean an opening day victory, but Cuba may have different ideas as they look to kick-start their IHF Men’s World Championship story, returning to the same city where they were in 2009 – Zagreb.
They confirmed their return after winning the NACHC Men's North America and the Caribbean Championship in Mexico last May and with the majority of their players based in Europe: Spain, plus France, Croatia, Portugal and North Macedonia, they could provide a tough test for the European side.
“For us, it is a fairly even group where we will do everything we can to advance,” said Franklyn S. Guevara Balcazar, President of the Cuban Handball Federation, to IHF.info. “Our objective is to achieve a victory and advance from the preliminary group. In the next phase, we will analyse and draw up game strategies on a day-to-day basis, seeing how the matches are developing.”
- 20:00 CET Iceland vs Cape Verde
Two years ago, Iceland beat Cape Verde (40:30) in the main round of Poland/Sweden 2023 and neutral fans will be hoping to see a repeat of that festival of attacking play and goals.
The African side will be super-motivated for the European challenge as they aim to improve on their 23rd spot gained two years ago, with a full world championship experience under their belts, following the 2021 covid-affected debut.
Captain Leandro Semedo said that 2023 felt like their real world championship debut, such was the brief experience of their first, and is now looking forward to the 2025 edition.
“Our past two world championships had different emotions, but every game is emotional,” said Semedo to ihf.info. “We must be ready, prepared, have more patience and be calm and easy. We will enjoy the moment, enjoy the situation and enjoy the game.”
The co-hosts of the 2031 IHF Men’s World Championship (alongside Norway and Denmark), Iceland, come to the tri-hosted 2025 edition looking to inspirational captain Aron Palmarsson to help guide them back inside the top 10 of the global elite.
“The team is well-composed of experienced players mixed with young players,” said Palmarsson, who has 177 appearances and 674 goals in the senior team to his name, to ihf.info. “It is always a great honour for players to play at the world championship and together as a team, we hope to achieve great things there.”
Not since the 2008 Olympic Games silver medal-winning days have the European side been in a single-digit ranking at the world championship, a sixth-place finish in 2011 in Sweden.
At Poland/Sweden 2023, a team mixed with youth and experience lost just twice (against Hungary and Sweden) to finish 12th with Bjarki Mar Elisson top-scoring with 45 goals.
2008 Olympic Games silver medallist Snorri Steinn Gudjonsson then took over coaching duties, securing a 10th place ranking at the 2024 European Championship, their second-highest rank in the previous four editions, although short of their previous (6th).