The 2019 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship will continue with the knock-out stage, as the top 16 teams meet for their eighth-finals on Wednesday 24 July. In Pontevedra, Denmark will open the eighth-finals when they meet Hungary, before Norway take on Brazil. Portugal will play Germany in the third eighth-final, and the day in Pontevedra will close with France taking on the hosts Spain. 

EIGHTH-FINALS
Feature match: France vs Spain
Pavillon Municipal de Deportes de Pontevedra, 21:00 local time

It is a rematch of the final played at the 2017 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, with the France squad that claimed the title in Georgia and the Spain team that finished as runners-up. Therefore, it seems fans in Pontevedra will be treated to a great show – and they will certainly hope the hosts will prevail and continue their dream to defend the historic first junior world title won two years ago in Algeria. 

It is something of an unexpected encounter at this stage of the competition and is due to the final ranking in the preliminary round groups. While Spain were likely always going to face a challenge in topping their group over U20 EHF EURO champions Slovenia, France were expected to be more dominant in the first stage. 

As this generation of France players have won medals at all three of the major international championships contested in this age category, they were one of the favourites prior to Spain 2019. However, losses to Sweden and Egypt saw France rank third in Group B, and it is for this reason they are already taking on Spain. The eighth-final will be the chance for France to reclaim their usual form – but it could also be a shocking early end to their campaign. 

This generation of Spain players have never won an official match against this France squad. At the first major international event for this generation of European players, the U18 EHF EURO 2016, France won the preliminary round clash against Spain 29:27. At the 2017 Youth World Championship, France took a 28:25 victory in the final. At the U20 EHF EURO 2018, they met in the main round, with a 35:33 result for France. 

Spain know their challenge, but they also have the home advantage. Can they use it to finally turn the tables?

“We knew that the game was going to be difficult. We missed many chances from the beginning and it was difficult for us to get into the game,” said Spain’s Eneko Goenaga after what was their first loss at the event, versus Slovenia in round five. “We are a team that fights until the end. Today winning was vital for us, because playing the round of 16 against France or Korea is very different.” 

Portugal aim to avenge EURO bronze-medal loss to Germany

Prior to Spain and France’s clash, the eighth-finals will begin with Denmark taking on Hungary at 14:15 local time. Denmark won Group D following four straight wins and just one unexpected defeat, to Iceland, while Hungary were fourth in Group C courtesy of victories versus Bahrain and Kosovo. As it is a case of the fourth-ranked side versus the first in their group, the edge appears to be with Denmark. 

Brazil and Norway, who were second- and third-ranked in their groups, respectively, follow with their eighth-final at 16:30 local time. The last eighth-final of the day, throwing off at 18:45 local time, will be a rematch of the U20 EHF EURO 2018 bronze-medal match between Portugal and Germany, which Germany won 29:26. 

Kosovo and Argentina looking for first victories, in President’s Cup

Before the eighth-finals, two President’s Cup matches will open the day in Pontevedra. Playing in the 21-24 placement round, Kosovo and Argentina will take the court at 9:45 local time, with both teams aiming for their first victory. Bahrain and Chile will follow at 12:00 local time, in their first game of the 17-20 placement round.