A sold-out arena in expected in the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, as the knockout phase of the 2023 IHF Women's World Championship throws off in Denmark, as co-hosts Sweden face Germany, while Denmark are due to lock horns with Montenegro, in a vintage evening of handball.

In Frederikshavn, the President's Cup will also end on a high, with the final standings between the 25th and the 32nd places being confirmed.

17:30 CET Sweden vs Germany

For the fourth time in a row, Sweden have made it to the quarter-finals of the IHF Women’s World Championship, as the Scandinavian side has won all the six matches so far played in Gothenburg.

This is the first time when Sweden started an edition of the world handball flagship competition with six wins in a row and they are hoping to extend that momentum after they have left the Scandinavium, moving to the Jyske Bank Boxen for the business end of the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship.

However, they will face their toughest challenge so far, with a strong Germany side standing between Sweden and only their second semi-finals berth in history, after the one in 2017, when they ended up just outside the podium, on the fourth place in the final standings.

No team has a better goalkeeping efficiency than Sweden’s 40.9% – with 81 saves from the 198 shots faced – as well as the top place in terms of goals conceded so far at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship, with the Scandinavian side only conceding 117 goals, or an average of 19.5 goals per match.

But Germany had their own five-game winning streak snapped by Denmark in the last match of the main round, when the co-hosts pushed the pedal to the metal until the end of the match, to take a crucial 30:28 win, which saw Germany place second at the end of the main round.

“I have a good feeling because we have a lot of different options that also worked against Denmark. An absolute top nation had to give 100 percent to beat us, Denmark couldn't spare anyone. So, we take a lot of good things with us,” said Germany’s coach, Markus Gaugisch.

Gaugisch will also hope to have centre back Alina Grijseels back at 100%, after she suffered a calf injury and was rested against Romania, featuring only 23 minutes, without scoring a goal and dishing only one assist in the last match in the main round against Denmark.

In the last 19 years, the two sides have met in major international competitions eight times, with the matches split evenly between Germany and Sweden. Last time they faced off at the IHF Women’s World Championship, Sweden took a 35:24 win in the Placement Match 7/8 at Japan 2019.

Most recently, the two sides traded wins in two friendly matches, with Germany taking a 33:30 win on 24 November, while Sweden bounced back to start their winning streak this winter with a 30:23 win on 26 November, just five days before they threw off the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship.

The winner will face France in the one of the semi-finals, which will take place on Friday, in Herning.

20:30 CET Denmark vs Montenegro

Denmark have had back-to-back semi-finals berths only twice in history so far at the IHF Women’s World Championship, but now they can return for the second consecutive time after finishing on the fourth place at Spain 2021.

The co-hosts have had an up-and-down edition of the IHF Women’s World Championship in the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, with a slow start against Serbia (25:21) and a loss against Japan (25:26) so far, but with dominating wins against Romania (39:23) or Poland (32:22).

However, they will really need to step up their game against Montenegro, as there is no room for mistake were the Scandinavian side to seal a spot between the top four teams in the world for the ninth time in 22 appearances in the world handball flagship competition.

So far, Denmark are ranking third in terms of goals scored – 198 – and in terms of shooting efficiency – 68.7% - and have also made the lowest number of turnovers – 47 – as their attack has been excellent at times, especially when their top scorer, Kristina Jorgensen, who scored 32 times, has been on par.

“We must have the Boxen sold-out for this match, we do not know when this chance might come up again, to play this type of match, with a place in the semi-finals waiting, on our home court,” said Denmark’s coach, Jesper Jensen.

Eight years ago, Denmark were in the same position, but conceded a 30:31 extra-time loss against Romania in the same phase of the competition, in the same Boxen, with 12,500 fans filling the arena.

Now, another tough challenge awaits with Montenegro, a never-say-die team, with plenty of attitude, but the only side to have lost two matches which is still alive in the competition, after they conceded losses against Croatia and Sweden.

"Nothing is impossible in sports, you just have to believe. It is important that we value what we create and do well, because it disturbs us when we miss open shots and penalties. When all that hits, it lifts the team. We have no credit to miss against Denmark, we have to be at 100 percent, so that at least five or six players reach their maximum in this tournament, in order to oppose such a top team. It will be a pleasure to play in this atmosphere, regardless of the fact that the crowd will be on the Danish side", said Bojana Popović, Montenegro’s coach.

Popović knows Danish handball full well, after featuring for Slagelse DT and Viborg HK for eight years, winning the EHF Champions League Women five times with the two Danish club teams.

The two sides have met ten times in the last 13 years, with Denmark taking six wins, including the last three, all at the EHF EURO. The winner of this clash will face Norway in the semi-finals at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship.

President’s Cup
Placement Match 25/26
20:30 CET Iceland vs Congo

The two unbeaten teams in the group phase of the President’s Cup will face in the final of this part of the competition, as Iceland and Congo are locking horns for the 25th place at the end of the competition.

Congo showed some incredible fighting spirit after two comebacks in the President's Cup. They were trailing throughout most of the game against Kazakhstan and in the last moments secured a 37:36 win. It was followed by a more relaxed game against the Islamic Republic of Iran (32:20), only to mount yet another comeback against Chile and win 24:21.

Only one side will extend their winning streak and close Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023 on a positive note - Sandra Erlingsdottir (30 goals) will lead Iceland while Congo rely on Fanta Diagouraga (33 goals).

For Iceland, even though they dreamt of the Main Round, coming on top in the President's Cup after a 22-year hiatus from the World Championship would be a success. Despite their first-ever World Championship debut ended in 12th place. Congo, on the other hand, have played at six previous World Championships but also made a return at Spain 2021 after missing it out for 12 years, ending with their worst placement -  23rd.

Placement Match 27/28
18:00 CET People's Republic of China vs Chile

Despite their three straight defeats in the preliminary round, the People's Republic of China and Chile started their President's Cup with confidence, winning two and losing one of the matches they played in Frederikshavn.

However, in their 16 previous World Championships, the People’s Republic of China have never finished below the 23rd place, but now will aim to end up on the 27th spot, ahead of Chile, who have returned to the world handball flagship competition for the first time since 2009.

Interestingly, China and Chile have almost the same attack efficiency, netting 130 and 125 goals in six games, respectively. While China do not have a top scorer among the 35 best scorers of the competition, Chile can be proud of Valeska Lovera Salas, who is the 16th top scorer, with 36 goals.

Placement Match 29/30
15:30 CET Paraguay vs Kazakhstan

Paraguay and Kazakhstan opened their accounts at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023 in the last President's Cup group matches after five straight defeats and will try to end their journey on a high. The South American team had to fight hard against Greenland to claim 21:19, while Kazakhstan had a strong finish against the Islamic Republic of Iran and won on a four-goal margin (33:29).

Irrespective of the result, for Kazakhstan this will be the worst placement in their six World Championship appearances. If they win, Paraguay will tie their 2021 placement, finishing on the 29th place.

While Kazakhstan are boasting an efficient attack, scoring 148 goals in six matches or 24.6 per game on average (4.5 more than Paraguay), the South American team could find their strength in their defensive display. Paraguay conceded only 148 goals in six matches while Kazakhstan is among the least effective defences of the competition with 210 goals conceded.

Placement Match 31/32
13:00 CET Greenland vs Islamic Republic of Iran

The last day in Frederikshavn at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023 starts with the battle for honour. Only two teams have lost all of their World Championship encounters and are still waiting for their historic win. Therefore, both Greenland and the Islamic Republic of Iran have a chance to do it but only one can come on top in their first clash ever.

Led by Fatemeh Merikh, who is among the top six top scorers of the competition with 35 goals, the Islamic Republic of Iran hope they will claim 31st place, and also their maiden win in the world handball flagship competition.

On the other hand, Greenland have made a comeback after 22 years and with strong support from the stands want to make a step forward compared to their last appearance - in 2001 they finished last (24th).
 

---

WHERE TO WATCH - For those fans who cannot come and experience the fast-paced action of one of the most popular sports in the world live, there are numerous opportunities to watch and listen to the competition through a variety of television, radio and streaming outlets across the globe – thanks to our partner SPORTFIVE, the official media distribution agency of the IHF.