All of Hungary’s five medals won at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship came in the last 21 years, with the hoodoo finally broken when the European side clinched the trophy on their home court in 2018.

Definitely the most consistent European team in the past decade, Hungary were the runners-up at the 2022 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, when they lost the final against Norway, but bounced back immediately, securing the trophy at the W19 EHF EURO 2023.

It was a fantastic performance from Hungary, which did not drop a match and dominated both in the semi-final against Romania and in the final against Denmark, with a vintage performance from centre back Petra Simon, the MVP of the W19 EHF EURO 2023.

Simon has already been included in the senior team and might not be in North Macedonia with the Hungary junior women’s team, but the European side has some serious firepower on their hands, with some excellent and experienced players.

Centre back Julia Farkas has scored four goals for Gyori Audi ETO KC in their title winning campaign in the EHF Champions League Women and looks set to quarterback the team, while left back Emilia Varga is a natural born scorer.

Well-rounded on all positions and together for several years, without many changes in the squad, Hungary will once again be one of the favourites to clinch the title here, as a medal is a minimum requirement for this side, which set their eyes for the third medal in a row at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship.

The path towards the title might be difficult, as Hungary need to hit top form from the start of the competition, in a group with the Republic of Korea, Argentina and Mexico and potential clashes with Denmark and Norway in the main round. But with their experience and depth, Hungary can see off any other challenge in this competition.

Key players: Julia Farkas (centre back), Szofi Imre (goalkeeper), Emilia Varga (left back)

Qualification: W19 EHF EURO 2023: Winners

History in the competition: 1977: 6th, 1979: 4th, 1997: 10th, 1999: 4th, 2001: Silver medal, 2003: Silver medal, 2005: 4th, 2008: 5th, 2010: 5th, 2012: Bronze medal, 2014: 7th, 2016: 10th 2018: Winners, 2022: Silver medal 

Group at North Macedonia 2024: Group C (Hungary, Republic of Korea, Argentina, Mexico)