The Handball World Championship 2025, set to be one of the first major sporting events of the year, kicks off from January 14 to February 2, drawing teams from around the globe to Croatia, Denmark, and Norway.
This year, the tournament boasts the participation of 32 nations, all vying for the prestigious title of world champions. Among these teams is the German national team, which arrives with high aspirations, hoping to secure a coveted spot among the top three finishers. The finals will take place in Norway's capital, Oslo.
The preliminary round will run from January 14 to 20, with Germany grouped alongside Poland, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. The group stage games will be held in Denmark's Herning, attracting attention as Germany gears up for its opening match against Poland.
Alfred Gislason, head coach of the German team, is preparing for what is positioned as his penultimate World Championship, with plans to step down after the home championship scheduled for 2027. Gislason's squad is anticipated to blend experience and youthful energy, featuring 14 Olympic silver medalists, underscoring their serious ambition for medal contention.
Leading the charge is captain Johannes Golla, who is renowned as one of the world's premier circle runners. Goalkeeping will be entrusted to Andreas Wolff, who has proven his mettle on the international stage for over a decade. Players such as Juri Knorr and Julian Köster are expected to be pivotal, driving creativity and scoring from the back line, with speed and accuracy contributed by wingers like Lukas Zerbe and Timo Kastening. Notably, Marko Grgic, at just 21, is positioned as the squad's breakout star.
The finalized squad was announced on January 13, just two days prior to the commencement of the tournament. Gislason opted for 17 players instead of taking the maximum of 18, meaning the team will travel with only two goalkeepers. Players Joel Birlehm and Tim Zechel, the latter currently rehabilitating from injury, were not selected for the final roster.
Fans can expect free television coverage of the matches featuring the German team, ensuring access to the excitement of the championship.
The complete group breakdown for Germany's opponents is as follows:
- Group A: Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Czech Republic
- Group B: Algeria, Denmark, Italy, Tunisia
- Group C: France, Qatar, Kuwait, Austria
- Group D: Guinea, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Hungary
- Group E: Brazil, Norway, Portugal, USA
- Group F: Chile, Japan, Sweden, Spain
- Group G: Iceland, Cape Verde, Cuba, Slovenia
- Group H: Egypt, Argentina, Bahrain, Croatia
The competition will consist of 96 matches, culminating not just with the final but also with various rounds leading up to this key event. After the group stage, the top three teams from each will advance to the main round set to begin on January 21. Here, they will battle through four groups of six teams, with points accumulated through previous matches carried over.
Those finishing at the bottom of their groups will have the opportunity to continue competing for rankings via the President's Cup, where placements from 25 to 32 are at stake.
Here’s how the match schedule is structured:
Group Stage MatchesThe group stage runs from January 14 to 20. Germany's matches include:
- January 14: Germany vs. Poland at 20:30
- January 15: Germany vs. Switzerland at 20:30
- January 19: Germany vs. Czech Republic at 18:00
Following this, the top two teams from each group will proceed to the knockout stage, starting with the quarter-finals on January 28. The competition intensifies as teams vie for places in the semi-finals and, eventually, the championship showdown on February 2.
The German squad is poised to face powerful competitors, with hopes of triumphing against established teams. With the excitement building and the stakes high, the Handball World Championship 2025 promises to be unforgettable for players and fans alike!