Since its debut at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship in 1995, Czechia have featured in six editions of the world handball flagship competition, but have never ended up in the top-10, with three 11th places, in 1995, 2014 and, more recently, in the previous edition, at Slovenia 2022.

Two years ago, Czechia have had a mixed bag of results, with a crucial win against Romania sealing a main round berth, but the European side has still fallen short of securing a place in the top-10, after conceding losses in the subsequent matches.

Nevertheless, Czechia are back at North Macedonia 2024, but with a generation which also had a mixed bag of results. Two years ago, at the 2022 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship, Czechia finished 22nd, while at the W19 EHF EURO 2023, the European side secured their place at North Macedonia 2024 by the skin of their teeth, by finishing 12th.

In their last two friendly matches before the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, Czechia lost twice against Switzerland, 25:29 and 25:31, as there is still a lot to tweak before the start of the competition. But with backs Simona Schreibmeireova and Veronika Vavrova in fine form, Czechia should still deliver good performances.

Their group should see Czechia as favourites to progress to the main round, with the European side playing the underdog card only against Sweden. With the People’s Republic of China and Algeria, Czechia should be favoured, but facing a possible tough main round, things are difficult for Czechia to deliver a top-10 finish, their first in history.

Key players: Karolina Rajova (centre back), Simona Schreibmeireova (left back), Veronika Vavrova (left back)

Qualification: W19 EHF EURO 2023: 12th

History in the competition: 1995: 11th, 2003: 12th, 2005: 16th, 2012: 15th, 2014: 11th, 2022: 11th 

Group at North Macedonia 2024: Group E (Sweden, Czechia, People’s Republic of China, Algeria)