Following the withdrawal of Paraguay to compete at the 2022 IHF Women’s Junior (U20) World Championship in Slovenia this summer, the International Handball Federation (IHF) has announced Lithuania as substitute nation. 

As neither Uruguay nor Guatemala were able to confirm their participation as substitute nations, Article 1.2.4 (Non-appearance) of Chapter 3 of the Regulations for IHF Competitions came into force, which states: 

“[…] If the second substitute nation does not take part either, the IHF Executive Committee shall decide.”

Therefore, the IHF Executive Committee confirmed to replace Paraguay with Lithuania, which is the next-ranked substitute nation in Europe. 

Lithuania will make their first IHF Women’s Junior (U20) World Championship appearance in 17 years, as they last participated in 2005, when Czech Republic hosted the event, finishing 14th. Their best result in the competition is a second place claimed in 1999.

For more information about the 2022 IHF Women's Junior (U20) World Championship in Slovenia, visit the competition mini-site.