Six teams will be making their debuts at the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship and Czechia are one of the three European sides to play for the first time in the competition, alongside Montenegro and the Faroe Islands.

While the other two sides earned their berths through the M18 EHF EURO 2022, Czechia secured their tickets to Croatia 2023 via one of the three M18 EHF Championships, clinching the title in a hard-fought final against Israel, 25:24, in Tel Aviv, after claiming four wins in their previous four matches.

At this level, the main issue for Czechia is clearly the lack of experience, with virtually all of their players who will make the trip to Croatia featuring in the domestic league, where they are getting regular time, yet not at the highest level.

Add into the mix the group they were drawn into – alongside reigning champions Egypt, a European powerhouse like Iceland and a plucky team like Japan – Czechia will surely have their work cut out, having never faced such difficult opponents in official matches until now.

Their hopes will come from the back line, where Jonas Josef and Mikuláš Macur were excellent at the M18 EHF Championship 2022, while right wing Daniel Erebai is also a player to watch, a prototype of the modern wing player.

Key players: Jonas Josef (left back), Daniel Erebai (right wing), Mikuláš Macur (right back)
Qualification for Croatia 2023: M18 EHF Championship 2022 – 1st
History in the tournament: Debutants 
Group at Croatia 2023: Group C (Egypt, Iceland, Japan, Czechia)