The seventh edition of The World Games to feature beach handball throws-off on Thursday 7 August in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China.

IHF.info takes a look at what happened in the men's and women’s competitions last time out, at Birmingham 2022.

Women's Competition

The background: Following the decision in March 2020 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to 23 July to 8 August 2021, the World Games 2021, originally scheduled to take place from 15 to 25 July 2021, were postponed by one year, with the new dates of 7 to 17 July 2022.

The World Games original host city of Birmingham, Alabama, USA remained as the host city.

The event: Originally, Argentina, United States of America, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Vietnam and Mexico had qualified for the event. However, due to a late flight cancellation and replacement flights in time not available, Denmark had to withdraw from participating, while Asian champions Vietnam could not take up their qualification spot due to visa issues.

What was new: The women’s event saw debut appearances for the United States of America and Mexico, while Brazil did not qualify for the first time since beach handball was included in The World Games (2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017) – having won a medal in all five of their previous appearances.

The competition: The draw took place on Thursday 2 June 2022 at the IHF headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.

The women’s event consisted of an initial preliminary group of six teams, with each team playing each other once. The top four teams in the group, after all teams had played each other, then went straight through to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and then medal matches. The bottom two teams in the preliminary group played off for 5-6 place.

Games were played at the USA National Historic Landmark of ‘Sloss Furnaces’ in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Originally operating as an iron-producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971, Sloss Furnaces became one of the first industrial sites in the United States to be preserved and restored for public use and were designated as a landmark by the United States Department of the Interior in 1981.

Who won: Germany

You can view the Birmingham 2022 mini-site on IHF.info HERE.

Review: Just a few weeks after the 2022 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship had concluded in Greece, teams relocated to North America and the state of Alabama.

After winning three gold and two bronze medals in the five previous editions of the Games to feature beach handball, title-holders Brazil were the big omission in North America after they lost to Argentina in the South and Central American Championship qualifier earlier in the year.

Germany returned to The World Games for the first time since their hosting of the event in Duisburg in 2005 and came fresh off a perfect 2022 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship title, where they won all nine of their games 2-0 in Heraklion, Greece. The Germans also came as European champions, having won all their continental games in 2021, dropping just two sets – the only ones in their 18 games across both the championships.

And they did not take long to get to work, defeating Mexico 2-0 and then Argentina via shoot-out on the opening day of preliminary group games.

Argentina had beaten Australia 2-0 (27:4, 25:7) in their opener, with the Aussies also losing to the USA 0-2 (13:18, 7:20) who got their first win thanks to 18 points from Christine Mansour, top-scorer at Greece 2022. The host nation had lost their opener 0-2 (16:20, 12:20) against the invigorated Norway, who made several squad changes from their disappointing campaign in Greece. 

Germany made it a trio of wins with a second day victory over Norway in a 7:6 shoot-out to book their semi-final spot with Argentina’s win over the USA putting them within touching distance too. A small piece of history was made in the last game of day two when Mexico secured the first-ever beach handball The World Games win for the country, with a 2-0 (24:9, 28:15) defeat of Australia. 21-year-old Itzel Vargas had one of the games of her career, scoring 20 points in a comprehensive victory.

The third and final day of preliminary group action saw three of the four places in the group of six available for the semi-finals and there was a scenario where Argentina or Norway, plus Mexico, USA and Australia could have all ended up on four points each across the 3rd-6th spot in the group.

But the hosts meant business and did not care for maths as they defeated Mexico 2-0 to grab fourth place and the final semi-final spot with Mansour scoring 22 points in the game.

World champions Germany defeated the hosts later on to seal their top spot, while Norway secured second with a shoot-out win over Argentina, who beat Mexico to confirm third place in the group.

Interested attendees amongst the fans at Sloss Furnaces on the third day included International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr Thomas Bach and International World Games Association and (IWGA) President Jose Perurena Lopez who visited the show court to catch some action on the sand. 

“It was an honour for us to play in front of Thomas Bach and showcase the passion, heart, and ambition we have for beach handball,” said Mansour to ihf.info about the special visit.

This set up the two semi-finals with both games copies of matches played just the day before – Norway beating Argentina and Germany beating the USA – and the results were the same again, Germany seeing of the Americans, and in the process, winning their 24th major championship game in a row. The Norwegians beat Argentina 2-0 (22:16, 18:16) with Marielle Martinsen’s 19 points coming at decisive, crucial moments in the game. 

The fifth and final day saw three games take place with Mexico defeating Australia 2-0 in the 5/6 placement match and then Argentina winning their second straight The World Games medal with bronze gained while breaking the USA hearts in front of their home crowd. Their 2022 bronze followed their 2017 silver

However, with their 25th consecutive championship victory in an incredible 12 months, Germany won The World Games 2022 women’s beach handball competition beating Norway 2-0 (15:14, 9:8) in a defensively-minded match. The gold is Germany's first in The World Games and their second medal overall, after they won silver in 2001. Norway claimed silver for the first time and also their second The World Games medal, after bronze in 2013.

It continued an unprecedented run of form for Alexander Novakovic’s side with nine straight victories to become European champions in 2021, nine straight victories to become world champions in 2022 and seven straight victories to become The World Games champions a few weeks later.

“It was very tactical, both teams know each other inside out,” said Novakovic to DHB.de about the game. “If we hadn't missed one or two chances, things would have gone in our favour faster.

“The feelings are still difficult to grasp, the World Championship victory was only 19 days ago and we can look back on a series of 25 wins in a row.

“It will take us many days to process this, but first a great burden will be lifted from our shoulders. Now we really feel like celebrating – with the knowledge that the next cracker isn’t waiting for us straight away.”

The World Games Birmingham 2022 – Women's Beach Handball Competition

Final Ranking
1 Germany
2 Norway
3 Argentina
4 United States of America
5 Mexico
6 Australia

All-star Team
On the final day of The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA, The World Games 2022 Women's All-star Team was selected by the IHF Beach Handball Working Group. The selection was based on performance throughout the tournament.

Four national teams and three continents were represented among the individual positions. 

MVP: Amelie Möllmann, Germany
Best goalkeeper: Maria Florencia Bericio, Argentina
Best left wing: Marielle Elisabeth Mathisen Martinsen, Norway
Best right wing: Amelie Möllmann, Germany
Best specialist: Michelle Schäfer, Germany
Best pivot: Christine Mansour, USA
Best defender: Elisabeth Hammerstad, Norway 
Top scorer: Amelie Möllmann, Germany – 102 points

To look back at the women’s competition of The World Games Wroclaw 2017 click HERE.

Men's Competition

The background: Following the decision in March 2020 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to 23 July to 8 August 2021, the World Games 2021, originally scheduled to take place from 15 to 25 July 2021, were postponed by one year, with the new dates of 7 to 17 July 2022.

The World Games original host city of Birmingham, Alabama, USA remained as the host city.

The event: Originally, Denmark, Qatar, New Zealand, Croatia, Brazil, United States of America, Argentina and Puerto Rico had qualified for the event. However, due to a late flight cancellation and replacement flights in time not available, Denmark had to withdraw from participating.

What was new: The men’s event saw debut appearances for the United States of America, New Zealand, Argentina and Puerto Rico.

The competition: The draw took place on Thursday 2 June 2022 at the IHF headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.

The competition format consisted of an initial two preliminary groups, one of three teams (group A) and one of four teams (group B). After playing each other in their group once, the top two in group A  moved into a main round group, joined by the bottom two teams in group B, while the top two in group B moved into a main round group with the bottom team in group A.

The top two teams in each main round group then went into the semi-finals and then medal matches, with the three teams left over moving into the 5-7 placement round.

Games were played at the USA National Historic Landmark of ‘Sloss Furnaces’ in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Originally operating as an iron-producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971, Sloss Furnaces became one of the first industrial sites in the United States to be preserved and restored for public use and were designated as a landmark by the United States Department of the Interior in 1981.

Who won: Croatia

You can view the Birmingham 2022 mini-site on IHF.info HERE.

Review: Just a few weeks after the 2022 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship had concluded in Greece, teams relocated to North America and the state of Alabama.

The opening day of The World Games 2022 men’s beach handball competition saw host nation USA grab two wins from two, seeing off fellow debutants Puerto Rico and Argentina in a successful opening day for the host nation and for the promotion of the sport.

“This was the first time in my seven-year beach handball career I played in a full stadium on American soil and the feeling was incredible,” said the USA’s Ebiye Udo-Udoma, who scored 12 points in each match, to ihf.info.

Newly-crowned world champions Croatia started with a win against debutants New Zealand, who showcased their world-famous haka ceremonial Māori war dance to the world.

Record winners of The World Games Brazil also started with two 2-0 wins, in the South American derby against Argentina (20:16, 28:20) and then Puerto Rico (29:16, 24:8) where Gil Pires scored 23 points.

Brazil and Croatia both won their final preliminary round games to top their groups while Argentina got their first win, a 2-0 (30:18, 20:10) victory over winless Puerto Rico. 

Six games were then played in the main round with group I having the most suspense as three teams competed for the top spot. Argentina and Qatar had work to do with Croatia secure following a 2-0 victory opening session victory over Puerto Rico.

Qatar ensured their semi-final spot thanks to a 2-0 victory over Argentina but only after they followed it up with the same score against Puerto Rico. At the same time, Argentina knew they had to beat world champions Croatia and hope for a shock Puerto Rico win against the Asian champions.

In the end, they managed their side of the deal, defeating Croatia in a monster match, 2-1, which saw 118 points scored. A last-second strike at the end of the first period ensured a 26:24 win for the South Americans and this was followed up with Croatia turning the tables to win the second, 22:16.

So it went to a shoot-out and after the first round ended at 8:8, Argentina started the second round. Ahead 16:14, Croatia’s Valentino Valentakovic saw his attempt blocked but it was a hollow victory with the Europeans knowing they would be playing for a potential medal and not their opponents. The game still ranks as the highest-ever scoring game in The World Games history.

The US put on a show in their opener, winning 2-0 against fellow debutants New Zealand to ensure their spot in the last four, while Brazil defeated the kiwis to move into the last four too.

Interested attendees amongst the fans at Sloss Furnaces on main round day included International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr Thomas Bach and International World Games Association and (IWGA) President Jose Perurena Lopez who visited the show court to catch some action on the sand. 

Semi-final Thursday saw the US lose to Croatia via shoot-out with Ivan Dumencic’s one-pointer securing the win after a US miss and they were joined in the final by Qatar, thanks to their 2-1 (18:21, 22:10, SO 8:6) win over Brazil.

In the 5-7 placement round, Puerto Rico were the history-makers in their clash with New Zealand as whoever won that clash would have recorded their first-ever The World Games win and it was the Central American nation who prevailed, winning 2-0 (23:12, 18:16) thanks to 20 points from Luis Gratacos.

New Zealand had another chance to make history, against Argentina in their second 5-7 placement match of the day, but they could not overcome the South Americans in a tight match.

In the bronze-medal match it was another loss for the host nation, this time against Brazil (0-2), who are the record-winners of the tournament but who have never won bronze. 

And in the final, Croatia won their first-ever The World Games gold, defeating Qatar 2-1 after coming from behind. They lost the first period 14:17 but came back in the second (20:16) and secured a 9:6 shoot-out win after Hani Khaki was shown a red card with Qatar’s fourth shot.

It was left to Ivan Dumencic to once against score the single point and ensure another gold, their 33rd beach handball medal in total.

“The pure mentality of a winner is what adorns this team the most,” said Croatia coach Mladen Paradzik to BHC.com.hr. “That's what keeps them together and it's wonderful to lead such a team together with your assistants (coaches).

“It was a nervous final, but that's how it is when you're playing for a medal, and I'd say that was expected given the importance of the match. It’s a great conclusion to the season.”

The World Games Birmingham 2022 – Men's Beach Handball Competition

Final Ranking
1 Croatia
2 Qatar
3 Brazil
4 United States of America
5 Argentina
6 Puerto Rico
7 New Zealand

All-star Team
On the final day of The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA, The World Games 2022 Men's All-star Team was selected by the IHF Beach Handball Working Group. The selection was based on performance throughout the tournament.

Five national teams were represented among the individual positions. 

MVP: Mohamed Ahmed Hassan, Qatar
Best goalkeeper: Dominik Markovic, Croatia
Best left wing: Renan Pinheiro Carvalho, Brazil
Best right wing: Lucian Bura, Croatia
Best specialist: Mohamed Ahmed Hassan, Qatar
Best pivot: Andrew Donlin, USA
Best defender: Ali Kenaoui, Qatar 
Top scorer: Nahuel Baptista, Argentina – 111 points

To look back at the men’s competition of The World Games Wroclaw 2017 click HERE.