For the first time in 10 years, Serbia threw off their IHF Men's World Championship campaign with a win, capitalising on a good performance with a strong start against Algeria (36:27).

Group E

Serbia vs Algeria 36:27 (16:13)

Since 2013, Serbia were either falling at the first hurdle or failing to make the final tournament at the IHF Men's World Championship; therefore, when the draw for the preliminary round at Poland/Sweden 2023 was made in Katowice in July 2022, Toni Gerona's side knew that they had a chance to break that streak.

A match against Algeria is by no means a walk in the park, with the African side always ready for a tough fight and delivering a very physical style of handball. Still, Serbia had the proper experience and a well-oiled system, which was put in place and improved by Toni Gerona.

Indeed, two of their most experienced player came out swinging in the first half, with left back Petar Đorđić and left wing Nemanja Ilić each scoring four goals and combining for half of the European's side 16 goals in the first 30 minutes. 

Nevertheless, as was expected, Serbia did not have it easy. Algeria built three runs with two consecutive goals without any other conceded to keep close and even tie the match (7:7) after 13 minutes.

With goalkeeper Vladimir Cupara in strong form, saving nine shots for a 41% saving efficiency, and their defence applying the perfect pressure that yielded two steals, Serbia returned to their efficient game and were ahead at the break, 16:13, with total control over the match.

The pivotal moment of the match came early in the second half, when Serbia went on a 4:0 unanswered run between the 40th and 45th minutes. Petar Đorđić, the hummel Player of the Match, scored twice to help his team seal the win.

Without captain Messaoud Berkous, who is missing at Poland/Sweden 2023 due to an injury sustained in the pre-tournament friendly matches, Algeria's lack of depth meant they could show little as Serbia proved too strong.

Making his debut at the IHF Men's World Championship, centre back Stefan Dodić, Serbia's wunderkind, who has long been hailed as the next big thing from the youth pipeline, showed a glimpse of his potential, scoring two goals, dishing six assists and stealing one ball. The MVP of last year's M20 EHF EURO could be a crucial piece for Gerona in Serbia's puzzle.

Eventually, Serbia, who will meet Germany in a crunch match on Sunday, ended the match on a high with a 36:27 win, scoring the highest number of goals in a match at the IHF Men's World Championship since putting 38 goals past Saudi Arabia at Croatia 2009. Much of that was due to their top scorer, line player Mijajlo Marsenić, who scored nine goals, six of which came in the last ten minutes of the match.

On the other hand, this was Algeria's 16th loss in the last 17 matches in the world handball flagship competition, with their chances of reaching the main round relying heavily on Sunday's match against Qatar.

hummel Player of the Match: Petar Đorđić (Serbia)