Can co-hosts Germany make it to Rotterdam?

Co-hosts Germany take on South and Central America champions Brazil in the first quarter-final of the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship while Olympic champions Norway face Montenegro in the second and last match on the German side of the tournament before all eyes move to Rotterdam.

Quarter-finals

17:15 CET Germany vs Brazil

With six straight wins to their name so far, Germany go into this clash as favourites against Brazil, who were completely dismantled by Norway in their final group game on Sunday night (7 December).

Should the co-hosts win this one, it will be their best ranking since 2007 (3rd) and end a run of two quarter-final defeats in the past two editions (2021, 2023). What is sure though is that the Germans have put to bed their disappointment of their last hosting, in 2017, when they finished 12th.

For 2013 World Champions Brazil, a win would be their second best ranking of all time, after that global title, with winger Alexandra Priscila do Nascimento Martinez the one remaining player from that time.

Nascimento and her coach Cristiano Silva will be hoping to put to bed memories of their 33:14 defeat to Norway last time out, a game in which the European champions completely nullified the attacking and playmaking abilities of key player Bruna de Paula.

“We aim to at least reach the quarter-finals and strive for the best possible placement,” said coach Silva to ihf.info ahead of the tournament and with that aim achieved, anything else is a bonus, starting on a blank canvas. “Everything starts from scratch in the quarter-finals,” added the coach after that loss to Norway. “We need to be much stronger in attack against the strong German defence.”

Germany coach Markus Gaugisch warned that despite their comprehensive loss, playing the South American side in a knockout game will be starting from zero. “A knockout game is different,” he said to dhb.de. “Brazil will give it their all and have some experienced players who have played in such matches many times before.”

The two teams have met in the venue before, Brazil beating the European side 36:31 in a Paris 2024 Olympic Games preparation match, overall winning five times in their 15 meetings, Germany winning 10.

The match is on its way to being another 10,000+ sell-out for the second game running and being shown on free-to-air television in Germany, on ZDF. 

20:30 CET Norway vs Montenegro

The only medal missing from Montenegro’s cabinet is a world championship one, and, for the second world championship running, they are one game away from having two attempts to claim one for the first time.

But standing in their way are the hot tournament favourites and one of the most successful teams in handball history, Norway.

“I really don't remember such dominance by a team since I've been playing handball. At this championship, they beat every opponent by 10 or more goals,” said Montenegro’s Itana Grbic to rscg.me.

“It's very challenging to play against such a team and I'm happy that we have the opportunity to play against Norway and see where we are, but being in the top eight is no small feat and I hope that people are aware of the success and are as proud as we are.”

After announcing her retirement ahead of the championship, legendary Norway goalkeeper has now entered the final stages of her career, with the game on Tuesday (9 December) being potentially her last in a Norway shirt, should they lose. If they win, two more games are guaranteed only.

With six wins out of six and a +107 goal difference, combined with Lunde saving at the 50-60% mark in most games, the Norwegians look unstoppable under new coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad.

“Everyone is still healthy and fit, and ready for what lies ahead,” said Gjekstad to handball.no ahead of the last eight clash. “We know that there are either one or three matches left in the championship - but first it's all about Montenegro. That's the first task, and that's where our focus lies.”

Norway have met Montenegro 12 times, winning 10 and losing twice.