After 48 games in the preliminary group stage, the main round of the 2024 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships starts at the 'Pingtan International Beach Sports Base' on Pingtan Island, People's Republic of China on Thursday (20 June).

The day is also significant as it the annual ‘International Beach Handball Day’ which recognises the origins of the sport.

For all matches for Day 3, see the end of the article.

Repeat of The World Games 2022 final highlight of opening day of men’s main round

Despite an indifferent start to their China 2024 campaign, Qatar – who finished fifth at the 2022 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship in Greece – will be looking to get up to speed when they face Croatia, the side who beat them via shoot-out for gold at The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA.

The USA themselves brings two points into the main round, thanks to their opening day win against the Qatari side and they will go up against Portugal, who finished fourth at the 2023 European Championship – a competition won by Hungary, who face Tunisia in an Africa vs Europe champion play-off.

Oman play Brazil, Denmark take on Spain and Argentina go up against the perfect (three wins a 2-0 each) Germans. 

Host nation China open the third day of matches, with their tough consolation round match against Uruguay, who finished sixth at Greece 2022, while Australia play Puerto Rico.

Can Germany bounce back in repeat of 2023 European Championship final?

Just over 12 months ago in Nazare, Portugal, Germany beat Netherlands 2-1 in the 2023 EHF European Championship final to claim the continental title for the second year running.

But after the Germans saw their world championship winning streak of 11 games broken by Brazil on Wednesday, and the Dutch impressing against Norway, can the world championship title-holders bounce back? The Germans also beat the team in orange in the semi-finals of the 2022 IHF World Championship on their way to that global crown.

Debutants Philippines get a taste of main round action for the first time, coming off the back of two wins to face 2016 world champions Spain, while the returning Croatians face Portugal. Host nation China will take on the strong Argentina side, who won impressively against the Spanish late on Wednesday night.

Greece, who enter the main round without carrying over any points, face ANOC World Beach Games title-holders Denmark, a team they beat on home sand at the 2022 global event, via shoot-out, 2–1 (27:14, 12:24, SO 8:6), but who have the luxury of bringing four points with them into the main round. Brazil – who also have four points – play Norway in the final main round women’s game of the opening day.

The consolation round also gets underway with three continental champions doing battle. Asian champions Vietnam take on debutants Puerto Rico, while it is Oceania vs North America and the Caribbean when Australia face the USA.

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

Match schedule – Thursday 20 June 2024
all times local

Men’s Competition

Consolation Round
1540 CHN vs URU
1630 AUS vs PUR

Main Round, Group I
1630 DEN vs ESP
1720 HUN vs TUN, OMA vs BRA

Main Round, Group II
1810 CRO vs QAT, POR vs USA
1900 ARG vs GER

Women’s Competition

Consolation Round
1630 VIE vs PUR, AUS vs USA

Main Round, Group I
1720 POR vs CRO, PHI vs ESP
1810 CHN vs ARG

Main Round, Group II
1900 NOR vs BRA
1950 DEN vs GRE
2040 NED vs GER