Hungary have been establishing themselves as a true powerhouse in the younger age categories in both men's and women's handball, but they still have not won a medal yet at the IHF Men's Youth World Championship. Their best result was a fifth place at North Macedonia 2019, after finishing on the 10th place both in 2013 and 2015.

However, a bigger emphasis was put on developing young talent, as seen in June, at the IHF Men's Junior World Championship, when Hungary secured the silver medal after making the semi-finals for the first time since 2005, and the objective is clearly a place among the top sides in the world at Croatia 2023 too.

This generation was already tested last summer, at the M18 EHF EURO 2022, when they finished on the fourth place after a strong start was replaced by two painful losses, first against Sweden in the semi-finals, 30:33, and then in the bronze medal game against Germany, 22:29.

Once again, the key of Hungary's side is the depth, with plenty of experienced players who already made their debut in the strong Hungarian league, but there is also a star of the team, centre back Kristóf Csörgo, who has shined at the M18 EHF EURO 2022, being the top scorer of the side.

Csörgo picked up where he left off in the preparation matches for Croatia 2023, putting 13 goals past North Macedonia in two friendly matches, which were won by Hungary, 31:27 and 34:27, with Akos Kis' side being once again considered one of the top favourites to win a medal.

Their way to the knockout phase looks interesting, being favourites in Group B of the preliminary round against Slovenia, Morocco and New Zealand, but any path to the knockout phase runs through a battle against hosts Croatia.

Key players: Kristóf Csörgo (centre back), Tamás Kovács (left back), Roland Terjék (left wing)
Qualification for Croatia 2023: M18 EHF EURO 2022 – 4th place 
History in the tournament: 2013: 10th, 2015: 10th, 2019: 5th 
Group at Croatia 2023: Group B (Hungary, Slovenia, Morocco, New Zealand)