The 24th edition of the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship threw off on Wednesday with 16 exciting games and now the second day will pave the road to the finals on Thursday with eight thrilling clashes in groups A, B, C and D, while the other 16 teams have a rest day.

Several powerhouses are seeking their second win in a row - which could also bring a main round berth - while eight teams are dreaming of claiming first points at the competition.

GROUP A

15:45 CEST Islamic Republic of Iran vs Romania

Romania have a talented generation on their hands and the bronze medallists at the W19 EHF EURO 2023 threw off the 2024 IHF Women's Junior World Championship in style, with a 26:25 win against Brazil.

It took some time for the Romanian team to set the course and end the series of mistakes, but they were solid in the crucial moments and kept two points on their side. Alisia Boiciuc, the current competition top scorer alongside Angola's Jorcela Tumba, and left back Diana Lixăndroiu showed why they are widely considered the leaders of this generation, combining for 19 goals. This time around, it certainly seems they will have more of an easy task as Romania are clear favourites on the paper.

The Islamic Republic of Iran are only participating in the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship for the second time. In 2022 they finished last but the Asian side is seeing more and more progress in women's handball.

Iran suffered a 11:34 defeat against the Netherlands at the start of the competition, which is their biggest defeat at the World Championship and will most certainly try to improve their game. While most eyes were on their best player Fatemeh Merikh, it was left back Nastaran Koudzarifarahani who scored six of those 11 goals. 

18:00 CEST Netherlands vs Brazil

The Netherlands started their North Macedonia 2024 campaign with a clear win against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It was an easy win, 34:11, for one of the most consistent teams of the competition which has four consecutive finishes in the top 10, including a bronze medal in 2022.

In the second round of group A, they will face Brazil for the second time at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship. A win over the South American side, with a Romanian win earlier would see both European sides progress to the main round.

The Netherlands' top weapons were right back Maud Horvers who netted seven times and she only needed 27 minutes for it, and goalkeeper's duo Nikki Van Der Vorst and Bianca Schanssema. The latter will have to stop centre back Lorenna Silva who is one of the best players in Brazil's rows and crucial for their play.

Brazil will enter the game determined to celebrate their first win in Skopje after losing against Romania on the opening day by a single goal. The pressure will be on their shoulders, with no room for mistake in this match.

GROUP B

11:15 CEST Egypt vs Tunisia

Egypt are aiming for their second win in a row at North Macedonia 2024, after clinching a clear win against Chile in the first match. In an all-African duel, they will try to beat Tunisia once again after previously succeeding in the group phase of the 2023 CAHB African Women's Junior Handball Championship and IHF Women’s Junior World Championship placement match 15-16 two years ago.

Egypt were efficient enough from all positions, but the biggest star of the first game was goalkeeper Gihad Wael Sayed, the Alkaloid Player of the Match. Her 15 saves at 58 per cent save efficiency speak for themselves and if she keeps at least half of that, Tunisia will have a hard time on Thursday.

On the other hand, Tunisia could not keep up with the experienced Swiss team, losing 26:34 on the first day and need a win here to be in the hunt for a main round berth. 21 turnovers were just too much for the African side and they will have to lower the number of mistakes if they want to get their revenge. 

11:15 CEST Chile vs Switzerland

Switzerland are coming into the game with a confidence boost after beating Tunisia on the first day in Jane Sandanski 2 venue. They were the dominant side from start to finish and will continue doing their best to secure the top of the group and maintain their favourite status.

The European side's main advantage could once again be their fast breaks and strong defensive performance. Alessia Riner and Sev Albrecht, who scored almost 60 per cent of Switzerland's goals against Tunisia, are two of the four players who have scored in double digits in the first matchday.

Chile entered their fourth edition of the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship and will have to fight hard for a win in Group B, their sixth altogether in history. In three previous editions, they managed to get their hands on one win in the group in 2022 and 2018, while in 2016 they closed the group stage with all five losses.

The South American's biggest fulcrum are right back Constanza Paul and goalkeeper Paula Ortiz who will try to top their performance shown in the first game against Egypt.

GROUP C

13:30 CEST Mexico vs Hungary

Reigning W19 EHF EURO champions, Hungary had no problem against Argentina in the first round, sealing a 39:21 win without breaking a sweat. Having top players that are efficient on both sides of the ball put Hungary once again in a favourite position, as they looked the part of favourites in the opener at North Macedonia 2024. 

Mexico will have to cap off their best performance if they want to jeopardise Hungary's chances in this match. The 2023 IHF Trophy U19 - North America and the Caribbean winners had a tough opening against the Republic of Korea whose strong defence tired out Mexico until securing a double-digit win.

After finishing last at Slovenia 2022, Mexico aim to avoid the last place and will try to give a good fight against a stronger opponent, while getting ready for the later stage of the competition. To make it happen, their key players Jenifer Verdugo and Valeria Lezama will have to perform even better than in the first game against Korea, when they netted four and three goals respectively.

13:30 CEST Republic of Korea vs Argentina

While waiting for the key match of the group against Hungary in the last round, the Republic of Korea aim to clinch another strong win in the competition. The 2023 Asian Women's Junior Handball Championship winners are one of the contenders for the title and they know how to deal with the favourites status.

With their aggressive defence and fast pace, Korea will be a tough nut to crack for yet another Spanish-speaking opponent. Especially when right wing Seoyeon Cha gets the ball, almost unable to miss from her corner. She is only one of many in the team who Florencia Carrasco and Candelaria Cuadrado will try to stop on Thursday.

Argentina, on the other hand, did not have it as easy, suffering a 21:39 defeat against Hungary. Yet, despite losing, Argentina showed they were excellent in form and could keep up for a certain amount of time with much stronger opponents.

Especially their back court line which delivered most of the goals scored and had some powerful shots to show. Two sides met twice so far at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship and on both occasions, Korea were victorious (34:29 and 38:23). Wins for Korea and Hungary would see them through mathematically to the main round.

GROUP D

15:45 CEST Chinese Taipei vs Denmark 

Entering North Macedonia 2024 as the 2022 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship and W19 EHF EURO silver medallists, Denmark are aiming big here too and they have the second best attack in the competition, after putting 43 goals past Japan.

Right back Clara Bang made a special impact in only 20 minutes of playing she scored seven times and remained her side's top scorer until the end. How will Chinese Taipei cope with an experienced and fast team is to be seen.

The Asian side are the least skilful team in the group, thus they have the lowest chance of claiming a win in this stage. Yet, Ling Hui Chia's team wants to make their run after 16 years since their last performance on the big stage.

18:00 CEST Norway vs Japan

The reigning champions will test another Asian team at North Macedonia 2024, after beating Chinese Taipei 35:18. However, Japan look to be slightly stronger opponent who won the bronze medal 2023 Asian Women's Junior Handball Championship. Despite losing by 18 goals against Denmark, Japan are always a nuisance for European sides with their specific game style. 

Still, Norway are equally strong both in attack and defence but Marie Mjos came under the spotlight in the first game. Not only the centre back was her team's top scorer with six goals but she also added four assists to the mix.

Even if Japan manage to stop her and her teammates, they will have to find a way past Kadija Mardalen who ended the day with 59 per cent save efficiency. Her saving skills will be put to the test by Japan's right back Ayumu Koyama who also was unstoppable against Denmark. Wins by the two Scandinavian sides would ensure their progression to the main round.