After a one-day break, the 2025 IHF Men's Youth World Championship returns with a crunch day, where all 32 teams will be on display. While 24 are embedded into placement matches battles, eight are still alive in the fight for the trophy and will collide in the Cairo Stadium - Halls 1 and 2 for the quarter-finals.

Over 10.000 spectators are expected for the tie between Spain and hosts Egypt, but the other six European teams still in the hunt for the trophy will colide, with matches starting at 17:00 and 19:30 EEST.

Quarter-finals

• 17:00 Sweden vs Norway
• 17:00 Denmark vs Iceland
• 19:30 Spain vs Egypt
• 19:30 Germany vs Hungary

Placement Matches 9-12

• 14:45 Serbia vs Czechia
• 14:45 Switzerland vs Austria

Placement Matches 13-16

• 12:30 Saudi Arabia vs Japan
• 12:30 Austria vs Slovenia

Placement Matches 17-20

• 19:30 Portugal vs Faroe Islands
• 19:30 Croatia vs Tunisia

Placement Matches 21-24

• 17:15 Kosovo vs Argentina
• 17:15 Brazil vs Tunisia

Placement Matches 25-28

• 15:00 Kuwait vs Uruguay
• 15:00 Algeria vs Republic of Korea

Placement Matches 29-32

• 12:45 Morocco vs Mexico
• 12:45 Guinea vs United States of America

17:00 – Sweden vs Norway  

Sweden remain the only team with a 100% record at Egypt 2025, having won all five of their matches so far. The Scandinavians have scored 189 goals in total, averaging 37.8 per game. In their two main round matches, they came close to hitting the 40-goal mark each time, defeating Switzerland 39:33 and Hungary 39:34.  

Last year, this Swedish generation triumphed at the M18 EHF EURO 2024, and now they are targeting their first-ever title at the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship.  

“For us, it's important not to think about the results or the previous matches here at the World Championship. What matters is the here and now. We won’t neglect anything; we’ll do our job – and it will take a lot for any team to beat us,” said Swedish coach Toni Johansson ahead of the Scandinavian derby against Norway.  

Sweden have impressive squad depth, with goals shared evenly among the players. Their top scorer, Nikola Roganovic, is only joint 22nd in the overall scoring chart with 28 goals. In contrast, Norway rely heavily on one standout attacker – left back Vetle Bore – who leads the tournament’s scoring list with 52 goals. Bore was the team’s top scorer in four of Norway’s five matches at Egypt 2025.  

While Norway swept Group F in the preliminary round, they failed to win in the main round, drawing 37:37 with Slovenia and losing 24:27 to Germany. Nevertheless, they advanced to the quarter-finals with three points and are now aiming for their first-ever semi-final berth.  

Historically, Sweden have won three of their four IHF Men’s Youth World Championship meetings with Norway, losing only once. Their most recent encounter came at North Macedonia 2019, when Sweden prevailed 30:24 in the Placement Match for positions 11–12.  

17:00 – Denmark vs Iceland  

The most decorated team in the history of the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, Denmark, are aiming to reclaim the title after a 10-year wait. They have remained unbeaten at Egypt 2025. After four straight wins, however, they let a lead slip in their final main round match on Tuesday, drawing 29:29 with Egypt.  

That setback did not stop the Danes from topping Group IV with five points. They also boast impressive depth, with no single player over-reliant for goals. Emil Sorensen is their top scorer, sitting joint 24th in the rankings with 27 goals, but many individuals are capable of stepping up when needed.  

The quarter-final brings a first-ever IHF Men’s Youth World Championship meeting with Iceland. The Icelanders have also won four of their five matches so far, but their campaign started with a narrow main round defeat to Serbia (28:29). That result put them under pressure, but a dramatic turnaround in their final main round game against Spain – scoring twice in the last 16 seconds to win 32:31 – secured their quarter-final spot on goal difference ahead of Serbia.  

This marks a clear improvement on their 20th-place finish at Croatia 2023, and Iceland now aim to push favourites Denmark to the limit.  

19:30 – Spain vs Egypt  

Two recent champions of the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship clash in this high-profile quarter-final: Spain, the defending champions, and Egypt, winners at North Macedonia 2019.  

Spain suffered their first loss at Egypt 2025 in a dramatic final main round match against Iceland. That 31:32 defeat ended a run of four straight wins but did not prevent them from topping Group II on goal difference, with Iceland and Serbia also on four points.  

The Spanish attack is the tournament’s most prolific, with 197 goals scored – an average of 39.4 per match. Their firepower comes from a variety of players, with Marcos Fis standing out on 32 goals from five matches.  

“We’re a little disappointed and hurt by the defeat against Iceland and the way it happened, but now the only thing left is to lift our heads, knowing we’re where we wanted to be – in the quarter-finals, with the intention of continuing our journey,” said Spain coach Nacho Moyano.  

Hosts Egypt advanced unbeaten, winning all three group stage matches before drawing both main round encounters, against Czechia and Denmark. Against Denmark, they trailed for most of the game but staged a strong late comeback to claim a crucial point, securing their place as the only non-European team in the last eight.  

Both teams are World Championship regulars: Egypt have played in every edition, while Spain have only missed the inaugural event in 2005. Spain have won both previous meetings at this level – 30:23 at Russia 2015 and 42:35 at Croatia 2023.  

19:30 – Germany vs Hungary  

Germany remain unbeaten at Egypt 2025, dropping only one point in a 28:28 group-stage draw with the Faroe Islands. Since then, Erik Wudtke’s team have built momentum with wins over Slovenia, France, and Norway.  

Their biggest strength is defence – the best of all quarter-finalists – conceding just 120 goals, an average of 24 per match. Goalkeeper Finn Knaack has been outstanding, with a 41% save rate, the highest among keepers who have played every game.  

“It’s a do-or-die game. Hungary are a difficult opponent, with excellent right backs. They also have the best pace in the tournament, so we must invest heavily in our defence,” Wudtke said.  

Germany have reached the semi-finals twice at this level, winning bronze in 2013 and silver in 2019. Hungary, on the other hand, have never reached the last four and now have the chance to make history.  

Hungary’s fast-paced attack and cohesive team play have been impressive, though they faced challenges in the main round – narrowly beating Austria 33:32 thanks to a buzzer-beater, then losing 34:39 to Sweden. That left them second in their group.  

Germany have won both their previous IHF Men’s Youth World Championship meetings with Hungary, in 2013 (40:23) and 2019 (26:16). However, this current Hungarian generation defeated Germany 25:20 at the M18 EHF EURO 2024, where they claimed bronze – a result that will boost their confidence ahead of Thursday’s quarter-final.