Group A in Rotterdam, Group B in 's-Hertogenbosch, Group G in Stuttgart and Group H in Trier will conclude on Monday, with qualified teams facing off to see who takes the largest number of points into the main round, while several other teams are in a do-or-die mode, aiming to secure safe passage to the next phase of the competition.

GROUP A
18:00 CET Japan vs Croatia

Japan and Croatia walk into this decisive clash in identical situations. Both sides suffered defeats against Romania and Denmark, and their direct duel will decide who grabs the third and final ticket to the main round. The fourth‑placed team will move on to the President’s Cup.

Croatia enter with a slight advantage: thanks to a slightly superior goal difference, a draw is enough for them – or of course a win. Japan, meanwhile, have only one option on the table, and that is victory. With the stakes sky‑high for both teams, this matchup promises a fierce, high‑intensity battle.

Japan, the reigning Asian champions, have never finished worse than 20th at a World Championship, but if they slip into the President’s Cup this time, 25th place would become their lowest possible finish. Croatia are in a similar situation; their worst-ever finish came in 2021, when they placed 18th.

For Japan, right back Kaho Nakayama and line player Clare Francis Gray have been their standout scorers so far, netting eight goals each. Croatia’s best has been Tina Barišić, who has delivered 10 goals across the first two matches.

This will be the third World Championship meeting between Japan and Croatia. Each side holds one win – Croatia celebrated a 31:30 victory back in 2005, while Japan took the rematch 28:26 in 2021.

20:30 CET Denmark vs Romania

The final match of Group A in Rotterdam brings a clash for the top of the group – Denmark vs Romania. Both sides were dominant in their wins over Croatia and Japan, but Denmark enter this one as slight favourites. So far, they hold stronger numbers on both ends of the court, scoring seven goals more across the first two matches and conceding eight fewer than Romania.

Denmark’s scoring has been powered by Andrea Aagot (12 goals), Julie Scaglione (11) and Elma Halilčević (11), a trio that has set the pace. Romania have mostly relied on Sorina‑Maria Grozav with 15 goals and Lorena‑Gabriela Ostase with 12.

History adds another layer. Denmark and Romania share a long competitive past and, at World Championships alone, have played nine times, dating back to the inaugural edition in 1957. The balance is tight with four wins each and one draw. Their most recent clash went Denmark’s way – a 39:23 victory at the 2023 World Championship.

GROUP B
18:00 CET Senegal vs Islamic Republic of Iran

While both teams are still chasing their first win at Germany/Netherlands 2025, Senegal arrive in a far stronger position. After a 17:26 defeat to Hungary in the opener, they stepped up dramatically in their second match, pushing Switzerland all the way until the final seconds.

With a bit more luck, they could have produced the surprise of the group, but ultimately fell by the narrowest margin, 24:25. Performances like that, paired with an experienced squad, give Senegal the upper hand heading into this clash with Iran.

Iran have struggled throughout the tournament, losing 9:34 to Switzerland and 13:47 to Hungary. Yet, as always, they have shown fighting spirit, refusing to give up despite every obstacle. Justicia Toubissa Elbeco is Senegal’s main fulcrum, with a 31% save efficiency after two games. In the Iranian squad, Aseman Badvi, Haniyeh Karimi and Fatemeh Merikh are the top scorers with five goals each.

After back‑to‑back penultimate finishes at the World Championship, Iran will have to deliver their best performance if they want to avoid another President’s Cup appearance. Senegal want to stay on the main‑round path just as they did in 2019 and 2023, when they finished 18th on both occasions.

20:30 CET Hungary vs Switzerland

Switzerland have already secured their historic first main‑round berth at the IHF Women's World Championship and now step into the final match of the group phase with a chance to take first place. To make that happen, and carry all four points with them, they must overcome the Women’s EHF EURO 2024 bronze medallists, Hungary.

Knut Ove Joa’s young team has been on a steady rise in recent years and their players keep proving they can match top European handball, especially those performing at club level. Still, their inexperience showed in the narrow win over Senegal, a game where they struggled in several phases and nearly let the match slip. Against Hungary, every mistake will come at a price.

Hungary cruised through wins against Senegal and Iran, even though they also displayed early nerves and rushed decisions before settling into rhythm. Both sides enter this match mostly rested, with both coaches making full use of rotation.

Switzerland’s leading scorers so far are Era Baumann, Mia Emmenegger and Tabea Schmid, all with 10 goals. For Hungary, the standouts are Gréta Márton with 16 goals and Júlia Hársfalvi with nine.

GROUP G
18:00 CET Czechia vs Cuba

These two sides have never faced each other before, and in their first competitive meeting they will fight for third place in the group and a main‑round berth. Both Czechia and Cuba are yet to get off the mark at Germany/Netherlands 2025, and as Czechia have a much better goal difference – minus 14 compared to Cuba’s minus 50 – even a draw will be enough for them on Monday.

Czechia seemed to be on the way to their maiden win at the tournament on Saturday, as they led by five goals early in the second half against Brazil. However, Tomáš Hlavatý’s team then ran out of steam, scoring just seven goals after the break, so the final 22:28 result left them heartbroken.

Cuba have conceded two heavy defeats so far at the competition, 20:41 against Brazil and 17:46 against Sweden. Now they need a win to reach the main round, and while beating Czechia is a difficult task, they are ready to give everything.

20:30 CET Sweden vs Brazil

After two rounds of matches, both teams boast perfect records, having not dropped a single point at the tournament so far. Following a commanding 29‑goal victory against Cuba, Sweden lead the group thanks to a better goal difference and will stay in top position even with a draw. However, the Europeans are aiming for a win, which would allow them to start the main round with four points.

Brazil have the same goal, and a strong comeback against Czechia on Saturday boosted their confidence. This team certainly has strong character and determination – qualities that may prove crucial in the upcoming matches, including the showdown with Sweden.

Brazil and Sweden have met multiple times, but only once at the World Championship, when the Swedes won 26:23 at China 2009. The European team also defeated the Brazilians twice at the Olympics, 25:22 at Beijing 2008 and 34:31 at Tokyo 2021, so Sweden have always won by three goals in their competitive encounters.

Group H
18:00 CET Republic of Korea vs Kazakhstan

With both teams losing their two games each against Norway and Angola in Trier so far, this match is the key game on the final day of world championship action in the town nestled on the Mosel River with the winners progressing through to the main round and losers dropping down to the President’s Cup.

It will be the third time the two have met at a world championship, with Korea winning 39:21 in 2009 and 31:19 in 2011. In fact, 16 out of their 18 previous mutual matches have ended with a win for Korea but Kazakhstan have won twice come in the AHF Asian Women’s Championship finals in 2002 and 2010.

Zhanerke Kuandykova is top-scorer with Kazakhstan on nine goals, while Korea’s captain Yeongyeong Lee sitting on eight at the top of the tree for her side.

20:30 CET Norway vs Angola

The SWT Arena in Trier waves goodbye to the 2025 IHF Women's World Championship with this clash between Olympic and European champions Norway and African champions Angola.

In all six of their previous IHF World Championship meetings, the Europeans have won six times and this game will likely go the same way, judging by their performances so far in Germany with Norway easily beating Korea and Kazakhstan. The last time the two teams met saw a 37:19 main round win for the European side at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023.

Henny Reistad is top-scorer for Norway at Germany/Netherlands 2025 so far with 12 goals, while Albertina Kassoma sits on one more for Angola – both the leaders of their teams. A number of the Norwegian players lost to Angola coach Carlos Vivers’ Spain side in the semi-final at Japan 2019 and will want to avoid history repeating on Monday so they can take four points through to the main round.