Three countries, five cities, 29th World Cup - January has long been the month of handball, and this year it's time for a new World Cup, which starts today in Croatia, Denmark and Norway.
Five cities will host the global championship, three of which are in Croatia - Zagreb, Varaždin and Poreč. In addition to them, there is the already famous handball temple "Jiske bank boksen" in Herning, Denmark, while the medals will be awarded in Berum, Norway, a suburb of Oslo.
The main question before the World Cup is whether anyone can end the dominance of Denmark, which has won the last three World Cups.
European champion France, Olympic vice-champion Germany, as well as Sweden and Norway stand out as the main challengers, while in the narrow circle of favorites are Spain, Slovenia, Egypt, and one of the hosts, Croatia.
Is selection possible? Nikolai Jacobsen and the fourth time in a row to conquer the planet?
- It would be stupid to think otherwise. There has to be optimism - we are defending the title, and we are also Olympic champions - said the Danish coach.
After a long time, Jakobsen will not have legends like them in the team. Mikel Hansen i Niklas Landin, but also without them Denmark with Matjasom Gidselom, Simon Pitlik and it seems too powerful to the other masters.
Denmark will be one of the teams playing on the first day (from 20.30:17.30 PM against Algeria), and the first slot (XNUMX:XNUMX PM) is reserved for the team that will not be participating in the major competition this time around.
Italy sensationally won a major competition after 25 years through the "lions", and they will face a match against Tunisia at the start.
In addition to Group B in Herning, Group C will also be played in Poreč today - France and Qatar will meet at 18 pm, and Austria and Kuwait at 20.30:XNUMX pm.
There will be no Hansen, no Nikola Karabatić this time, and the last dance in the red and white squares will be done by another great.
Domagoj Duvnjak will lead Croatia for the last time in his career.
"It is always an honor and a privilege to play for Croatia, no one will ever change that. The Croatian jersey is forever my favorite," Duvnjak said, for Dnevni avaz.
SP 2025, pairs 1st round
TODAY
Group B (Herning)
Italy - Tunisia (17.30)
Denmark - Algeria (20.30)
Group C (Porec)
French - Qatar (18.00)
Austria - Kuwait (20.30)
WEDNESDAY
Group A (Herning)
Czech Republic - Switzerland (18.00)
Germany - Poland (20.30)
Group D (Varaždin)
Netherlands - Guinea (18.00)
Hungary, S. Macedonia (20.30)
Group E (Berum)
Portugal - SAD (18.00)
Norway - Brazil (20.30)
Group H (Zagreb)
Egypt - Argentina (18.00)
Croatia - Bahrain (20.30:XNUMX p.m.)
THURSDAY
Group F (Berum)
Spain - Chile (18.00:XNUMX)
Sweden - Japan (20.30)
Group G (Zagreb)
Slovenia - Cuba (18.00:XNUMX)
Iceland - Cape Verde (20.30)
Bonus video:
