People’s Republic of China produced one of the biggest surprises at the 2026 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship, totally outplaying hosts Romania, 31:24.

Denmark also came back late to clinch a place in the main round, with a 23:21 win over Czechia, while Slovenia and Switzerland clinched the last available spots, after the latter side took a 31:21 win over Serbia.

Group F
People’s Republic of China vs Romania 31:24 (17:10)

A huge shock was on the cards after the first half between the last two hosts of the IHF Women’s Youth World Championship, as the People’s Republic of China took a seven-goal lead against Romania.

The Asian side, which would have won the group in case of a win or a draw, produced an absolute blinder in the first 30 minutes, especially thanks to goalkeeper Xiaoyan Wang, who saved 12 shots for a 55% saving efficiency.

Romania were not ahead for the whole duration of the first half, always playing from behind, with their attack being slow and predictable, as the speed of the ball did not pick up, regardless of the players whom coach Victorina Bora sent on the court.

The European side’s shooting efficiency was down to a meagre 41% and their attacking efficiency dropped to 37%, especially as Romania missed a plethora of one-on-one chances, with Wang running riot between the posts.

And with Ruixue Sun scoring five goals and Shuoyan Zhang adding three, the People’s Republic of China saw their lead increased from 6:5 in the 11th minute to seven goals, 17:10, at the break, as Romania were in dire straits and needed a wake-up call to return to form and save something from the match.

But what Romania could do was to cut the lead to a maximum of five goals, 22:17, and from that moment on it was only China running the show. A 5:0 run spurred by Yujie Fu, basically decided the match, with the Asian team cruising to a 29:18 lead, much to the dismay of the Romania fans which decided to spend their Saturday afternoon in the Pitești Arena.

While Romania did improve their attack to 56% in the second half, their defence was still too porous, while their goalkeepers only started racking up saves when it was too late, as China ran away with a fantastic 31:24 win, probably their most important in history at this level, one which lifts their hopes for a top-10 finish in the competition.

Both sides will face Hungary and Sweden in the main round, but China and Hungary start the next phase on two points, while Romania will be tied with Sweden on zero points.

Player of the Match: Xiaoyan Wang (People’s Republic of China)

Group B
Denmark vs Czechia 23:21 (11:14)

Denmark entered the match sitting top of Group B with four points, while Czechia arrived on two. Although the scenarios differed, both teams shared the same objective - securing a place in the main round.

Knowing they had little margin for error, Czechia produced a confident start and immediately caught Denmark off guard. The Czechs raced into a 4:0 lead, leaving the Danes scoreless until the fifth minute.

Once Denmark settled defensively and increased the tempo in attack, the gap slowly began to narrow. However, goalkeeper Tereza Skopcová continued to frustrate the Scandinavian side, producing a series of crucial saves whenever Denmark threatened to get back into the contest.

The goalkeeper finished the first half with eight saves at 42% efficiency, helping Czechia protect their advantage despite Denmark reducing a five-goal deficit - their opponents' biggest of the half - to just two with a 3:0 run before the break.

The balance shifted after the restart. Although Skopcová continued to make saves, Denmark finally found another gear as goalkeeper Thilde Ladegaard Skov also began making crucial saves at the other end. The turnaround was completed in the 43rd minute when the Danes moved in front for the first time at 20:19, when Alicia Leck Buur Aluan netted her second of the day.

That goal proved to be the turning point as Denmark maintained a slender advantage throughout the closing stages, while Skov came up with four key saves in the final minutes to deny any Czech comeback. The 23:21 victory secured Denmark top spot in Group B and a place in the main round, taking the Republic of Korea through with them, while Czechia were left to continue their campaign in the President's Cup.

Player of the Match: Sara Skou Nørby (Denmark)

Group D
Montenegro vs Argentina 32:25 (15:11)

With Montenegro already assured of first place and a main round berth, and Argentina destined for the President's Cup, both sides entered the final group match without pressure.

After an even opening, Montenegro gradually began to show the difference in quality. Led by Ivana Savić, the Balkan side opened a 7:4 advantage and controlled the remainder of the first half without ever fully pulling away.

Despite the deficit, Argentina continued to battle and made the most of the freedom that came with having nothing to lose, ensuring Montenegro never enjoyed a comfortable cushion before halftime. As a result, the Montenegrins went into the break leading 15:11, still with work to do in the second half.

Argentina remained within striking distance after the restart, with Catalina Podestá once again leading the attack, but the South Americans gradually ran out of steam. Montenegro took full advantage in the closing 10 minutes, finally breaking the game open and stretching the lead to 29:20 in the 53rd minute - their biggest advantage of the match. From there, the Balkan side wrapped up a 32:25 victory.

Player of the Match Ivana Savić led Montenegro with seven goals, while Andrea Dragnić added six from six attempts. Catalina Podestá finished as Argentina's top scorer with five goals.

Player of the Match: Ivana Savić (Montenegro)

Group H
Switzerland vs Serbia 31:21 (13:11)

Serbia needed a big win to leapfrog Switzerland and progress to the main round, but it was the Swiss team who claimed their third straight victory and went through with two points to carry over. Serbia will head to the President's Cup, fighting for consolation.

A 1:0 lead early in the game was the Balkan side's only advantage during the 50 minutes that followed, as Switzerland instantly hit back with a 4:1 run. One of the best scorers of the tournament, Lauryn Mierzwa, had a strong impact, helping her team stay in front.

Goalkeeper Larissa Trümpler also stood out, and as a result of her saves combined with Serbia's turnovers, the Balkan side were unable to score between minutes 16 and 26. However, Serbia's Anđela Nestorović also performed well between the posts, helping her team cut the gap from 8:12 to 11:13 with a surge just before the interval.

But after the restart, Switzerland's advantage became more pronounced. Mierzwa stepped up again, scoring three goals in the opening four minutes of the second half, while Noelle Osterwalder both found the net herself and set up goals for her teammates. Their team went on to lead 22:15 by the 45th minute and ultimately won by 10 goals - just as many as Mierzwa scored in this encounter.

Player of the Match: Noelle Osterwalder (Switzerland)