For a coach who has won world championship silver, with Spain in 2019, Angola’s Carlos Viver was full of happiness and excitement after he witnessed his side take down Sweden 26:24 in their final main round, Group IV game of the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship, to put themselves in reach of their first top 10 ranking since 2011, depending on the conclusion of the main round on Monday (8 December).

For Angola to lose their spot in the top-10, Poland will need to win by 18 goals against Austria in the second match of the day.

14 years ago, Angola finished eighth, the end of a trio of high rankings, following 2009’s 11th and their historic high of seventh, gained in 2007.

“I am very happy; it’s incredible, unbelievable,” said the former Spain coach. “Before we started the championship, I thought one favourite to win the championship was Sweden, along with France, Denmark and maybe Montenegro, but our expectation was to go the main round.

“To finish with six points in the championship is incredible. It is one of the best rankings in history for Angola and the reason why we are so happy today.”

Viver’s was on the bench for Angola at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023 officially as assistant coach, but in a role with the Angolan Handball Federation as a technical advisor. He then took over fully, guiding the team to Pan-African Games gold in Accra, Ghana, qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and continental gold last year.

And in his first world championship as head coach he saw his side take two wins in their preliminary group in Trier, against Kazakhstan (38:20) and Republic of Korea (34:23), before losing against Norway (19:31). After moving to Dortmund for the main round, his side beat Czechia (28:25) and lost to Brazil (26:32) ahead of that final day victory against Sweden (26:24).

 

“The team has fought a lot throughout the championship,” said the 52-year-old. “Today, our defence was incredible and in this last game against Sweden it was the best for us, an incredible day where they worked for 60 minutes. We are very happy because it's impossible to do any more work than we have in this championship. I don't have words, only congratulations for the players. Today we will enjoy and tomorrow, we will see.”

As quick as the celebrations come, they are over and Viver will take stock when the championship is over and start planning ahead as he looks to continue his role with the west African nation, led by captain Albertina Kassoma, who is absolutely key to any further success, according to the Spaniard.

“Albertina is not only the reference of the team in Angola, but in Europe, she is amongst the top five best pivots,” he says. “For us, it is not possible to play without Albertina, because we need her all the time in defence and in attack.

“We have problems in renewing the team, because it's not easy. The best players for Angola are now in this team, and maybe we renew one position but it's not easy, believe me. Here, we don't have experience in some positions, our the centre back is a young player and we have been playing with 20, 21-year-old player who are not experienced. For example one of our wingers is in her first championship. At this moment we are working on consolidating the team.”

And with Angola now around the top 10 teams in the world again after finishing between 15-25th in the last six world championships, Viver understands the task to break into the world’s top eight once again is even harder, but, with belief, anything is possible in a country he respects immensely.

 

“I want that the team believe in themselves, because the next step for the next championship, is belief in the team and this attitude in the final game against Sweden is the best way to go,” said the current Gloria Bistrița coach. 

“Women’s handball is at a high level and the organisation here is the same, but the players, the national teams are high level. For example, Norway are playing incredible, nice handball and have a good attitude during all the championship, France and Denmark too, it's a high level, believe me.

“But after one year as advisor with the coaches and two years as coach I can say to work with the players in Angola is incredible. The atmosphere, the people; it’s incredible. They have a good character and a good attitude and, for me, this is the most important thing.”