One of the longest droughts between two appearances at the IHF Men’s World Championship was ended last spring, as Italy provided a fantastic performance in the doubleheader of the European Qualification – Phase 2 – Part 2, taking a 66:58 aggregate win against Montenegro, in a shocker for the ages.

Italy had only previously qualified for the world handball flagship competition in 1997, when they finished on the 18th place and never came close of securing their tickets, but their uptick in form and their development saw the surprise take place, as Italy needed to navigate through six matches to secure their tickets.

First, Italy beat Türkiye in the Qualification Europe Phase 1, with a stunning comeback, after a 28:37 loss in the first leg. Italy bounced back and set up a clash against Belgium in the Qualification Europe Phase 2 – Part 1, with a 37:27 win, taking a 65:64 aggregate win.

Then, Italy secured two wins against Belgium, for a 62:56 aggregate win, setting up a clash against Montenegro in the Qualification Europe Phase 2 – Part 2. Once again, Italy emerged victorious, with a 66:58 aggregate win, returning to the world handball flagship competition for the first time in 28 years.

“Even with our optimism, it was always going to be hard to beat Montenegro, because they are very experienced. Just look at how they played in the previous EURO editions or at the previous World Championships. They had the edge and we were coming after two other very difficult doubleheaders,” says Andrea Parisini, one of Italy’s most experienced players.

It was a fantastic performance for the European side, which has an interesting mix of experience and youth, with some players who are featuring in some of the best leagues in the world at club level, such as goalkeeper Domenico Ebner, who plies his trade at SC DHfK Leipzig in the German Bundesliga, or Andrea Parisini, who is at PAUC Handball, in the French league.

“There are some young players in the squad, who really stepped up and gelled with the rest of the team. But I think the main ingredient for this success was the cohesion, the fact that we really played for each other, tried to help each other, both on and off the court. And it showed, especially in tough moments. We are truly a team and this was the reason we are so far in the competition,” says Parisini.

However, Italy will have a mountain to climb, facing some difficult opposition, were they to clinch a place in the main round, after being drawn in Group B of the preliminary round, which will take place in the legendary Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, Denmark.

There, the European minnows will face the co-hosts, Denmark, who are riding a 28-match unbeaten streak in the world handball flagship competition, as well as two African side, renowned for their passion and die-hard mentality, Tunisia and Algeria, both more experienced than Italy in this setting.

Nevertheless, the ambition is there and Riccardo Trillini’s side is eager to appear on the court and provide some entertaining matches, like they did against Türkiye, Belgium and Montenegro on their way to the final tournament.

“I hope that this performance will only highlight how beautiful this sport is and make it more and more popular in Italy, because it really needs to be promoted,” concludes the line player.

Key players: Andrea Parisini (line player), Thomas Bortoli (right back), Domenico Ebner (goalkeeper)

Qualification: European Qualification - phase 2 (66:58 on aggregate against Montenegro)

History in the competition: 1997: 18th

Group at CRO/DEN/NOR 2025: Group B (Denmark, Italy, Algeria, Tunisia)

Photo: Luigi Canu / FIGH