The preliminary group stage of the 2024 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships concludes at the 'Pingtan International Beach Sports Base' on Pingtan Island, People's Republic of China, with all 32 teams playing twice in 32 games across two sessions – one in the morning and one in the afternoon/evening.

For all matches for Day 2, see the end of the article.

2024 IHF Beach Global Tour Stage 1 revisited for men as decisions made

Wins for Argentina, Croatia, Denmark, Hungary, Brazil, USA, Germany and Tunisia on the first day have put those eight teams in a strong position to qualify through to the main round as one of the three teams from each of the four preliminary groups.

The USA take on Germany in the morning session – a match which sees a repeat of their clash at the opening 2024 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour stage in Brazil, which saw the North Americans prevail 2-0 (24:18, 28:20). Both teams had impressive opening day wins at China 2024 with the USA seeing off Asian Champions Qatar in a shoot-out (8:2) and German breezing past Uruguay 2-0.

More IHF BHGT rematches will take place in the afternoon as Germany and Qatar clash, and the USA renew rivalry with Uruguay. In Brazil earlier this year, the USA beat and lost to Uruguay, opening with a 2-1 (11:10, 20:22, SO 8:2) preliminary group victory before losing 0-2 (14:18, 14:19) to them in the 5/6 placement match.

Other highlights include European champions Hungary facing Denmark in the evening session and Portugal and Argentina going head-to-head in their morning clash.

Can Netherlands get back to winning ways and Philippines make history?

Germany, Brazil, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, China, Spain and Argentina won the first of three preliminary group matches to provide some breathing space ahead of double session day.

The neighbourly clash between Denmark and Norway kicks of the day’s proceedings with the USA and Netherlands looking to get their first win of China 2024. Greece and Brazil do battle at the same time – both teams having won the title in previous years.

Germany also throw-off at the same time with a match against debutants Puerto Rico, followed by a clash against Brazil – a team who could seriously threaten their winning record of 10 world championship games in a row without conceding a set.

After impressing on the opening day, taking Portugal to a shoot-out, the Philippines have the opportunity to get their first points of China 2024 when they face the host nation.

With China not appearing at the continental event last year and being one of the continental powerhouses in Asia, the Philippines will not only look to test themselves against their Asian rivals, but to capitalise on the good performance against Portugal. They later face Australia in what could be a winner-takes-the-final-qualification spot match.

Norway and Netherlands renew their recent rivalry, following their clash at the 2023 European Championships which saw the Dutch beat the Norwegians 2-0 in the semi-final, but Norway would get revenge a few weeks later, at the European Games where they did exactly the same – winning their quarter-final.

The teams also met two years ago, at the 2022 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Greece, where the Netherlands defeated Norway in the main round on their way to bronze on their debut.

All games will be streamed live on the IHF Competitions YouTube channel (geo-restrictions will apply) click HERE for more information.

Match schedule – Wednesday 19 June 2024

Preliminary Group – all times local

Men’s Competition

Wednesday 19 June 2024

Men’s Competition
0930 USA vs GER, URU vs QAT, PUR vs CRO, POR vs ARG
1110 OMA vs DEN, AUS vs HUN
1200 ESP vs CHN, TUN vs BRA
1500 GER vs QAT, URU vs USA
1550 CRO vs ARG, POR vs PUR
1820 HUN vs DEN, OMA vs AUS
2000 BRA vs CHN, ESP vs TUN

Women’s Competition
1020 DEN vs NOR, USA vs NED, PUR vs GER, GRE vs BRA
1110 PHI vs CHN, AUS vs POR
1200 CRO vs ESP, VIE vs ARG
1640 GER vs BRA, GRE vs PUR
1730 NED vs NOR, DEN vs USA
1910 POR vs CHN, PHI vs AUS
2050 ESP vs ARG, VIE vs CRO