There are only four matches left at the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, with the big final between Hungary and France closing the competition in the Boris Trajkovski Sports Center. 

The two unbeaten sides will lock horns, as Hungary aim for their second trophy, while France have conceded a loss in their only final played at this level, 12 years ago.

FINAL
17:30 CEST Hungary vs France

The big showdown, the last of the 116 matches at the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, will be the big final in the Boris Trajkovski Sports Center between Hungary and France, two sides with similar characteristics, the two sides with the largest depth in the competition and the only two unbeaten sides to head to the final day at North Macedonia 2024.

France have been the surprise package at the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, but not because of an underdog status at the start of the competition, but for their fantastic performance, the first time in history in the competition when they started with a seven-match winning run.

This has arguably been the best performance for France at this age category, making the final for the second time in history, after they ended up on the second place, clinching the silver medal at Czechia 2012, conceding the final against Sweden, 22:29.

“I know we had made progress. But not necessarily to the point of making it a strength. They know that the hard moment is coming, they are ready for it with the feeling of the challenge of facing it. It's very surprising. What could scare these players before, they almost delight in it now,” says France’s coach, Eric Baradat.

Actually, France have been a consistent team both in attack – fifth best, with 225 goals – and in defence – sixth best in terms of goals conceded, 160 – as they now dream of their maiden title at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship.

On the other hand, Hungary have been a powerhouse in the younger age categories. The current generation has already secured the bronze medal at the 2022 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship and the title at the W17 EHF EURO 2021 and the W19 EHF EURO 2023. In fact, in every major international competition they went to, Hungary secured a medal.

However, they have suffered throughout the last matches at North Macedonia 2024, needing extra-time to stave off a comeback from Iceland in the quarter-finals, and bouncing back from a four-goal deficit in the second half against the Netherlands in the semi-final.

But Hungary have the best attack, with 249 goals scored, and the third best defence, with 150 conceded goals, being once again the team to beat. This is the third consecutive final for the European powerhouse at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, winning the one in 2018, on their home court, and conceding the one against Norway at Slovenia 2022.

BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
14:45 CEST Netherlands vs Denmark

Having already secured eight medals at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, Denmark can tie the Republic of Korea as the most decorated teams in history in the world handball flagship competition, provided they secure a win against the Netherlands in the bronze medal match.

So far, Denmark have played in the bronze medal match four times, winning three and conceding one loss, as they aim to secure their fourth bronze medal in history at North Macedonia 2024, with a fantastic generation, which has already secured silver medals at the 2022 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship and at the W19 EHF EURO 2023.

The Scandinavian side has conceded two losses so far and these came against the finalists, Hungary and France, as they have been pretty consistent so far, boasting the second-best attack in the competition, 244 goals scored, a whopping 49 goals more than the Netherlands.

In fact, the Dutch side has been relying heavily on their defence, conceding only 149 goals, the second lowest number, 27 less than Denmark so far. The Netherlands can seal back-to-back bronze medals at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship and their second in history provided they secure the win here.

The Netherlands also have the third best goalkeeping saving percentage, 36.3%, but their defence and goalkeepers will have to stop the dynamic pair of Denmark’s left wing Matilde Vestergaard (45 goals) and right back Clara Borg (40 goals), who have been fantastic in the competition, with a shooting efficiency of 78% and 80% respectively.

PLACEMENT MATCH 5/6
12:15 CEST Sweden vs Portugal

Portugal bounced back in the Placement Matches 5-8, after a painful loss against Denmark in the quarter-finals, where they were thoroughly outplayed, 22:49, conceding their worst-ever loss and the largest number of goals in a single match.

They can still secure their best-ever placement, a crowning achievement for an excellent generation, which has already finished fourth at the W19 EHF EURO 2023, with players which have already made their debut in the senior team.

Centre back Constança Sequeira needs only seven goals to jump to the second place in the top goal scorer standings, having already scored 54 goals, while right back Luciana Rebelo has scored 33 goals and can still make the top-10 in the top goal scorer standings, despite having a topsy-turvy competition.

On the other hand, Sweden made a step back for the fourth place sealed at Slovenia 2022, but they were thoroughly consistent and have also gave opportunities to all their players, and have the best goalkeeping percentage throughout the competition after seven matches, with 97 saves and a 37% saving efficiency.

PLACEMENT MATCH 7/8
10:00 CEST Iceland vs Switzerland

Both Iceland and Switzerland have been surprise packages at North Macedonia 2024, as few would have expected them to secure a place in the quarter-finals. However, the depth limitations for both teams reared their heads in the last two matches, as both sides conceded pretty damaging losses.

Iceland, in particular, have been truly impressive, bouncing back from a seven-goal deficit in the first half in the quarter-final against Hungary, only to tie the match, push it into extra-time and concede a 31:34 loss. One day later, they lost against Sweden, 31:33, but they proven that they can win matches with their defence or their attack.

On the other hand, Switzerland were dominated by both France and Portugal and now are on a three-match losing streak. A win would see their best-ever finish in history at the IHF Women’s World Championship, currently eighth place at Slovenia 2022, while Iceland have already clinched their best-ever finish, making the top-8 for the first time in history.