Denmark secured a quarter-finals place at the 2026 IHF Women's Youth World Championship, with a 21:19 hard-fought win against France. Egypt, winners in the previous match against the Republic of Korea, also went through from Group I of the main round.

In Group IV, Switzerland took a huge step towards the quarter-finals, after clinching their fourth win in a row, 41:31, against Japan, and are group leaders, with four points, before their showdown against Slovakia.

Main Round Group I
Denmark vs France 21:19 (13:7)

Both quarter-finalists from main round Group I have already been determined. After taking their fourth consecutive win at Romania 2026, Denmark secured progression, and their victory against France was good news for Egypt, who also reached the quarter-finals with one main round match remaining.

Denmark had claimed one-goal wins in two of their three group matches, against the Republic of Korea and Czechia, but they were clearly the superior team in the first half against France. French player Lou Saramito opened the scoring, but Denmark soon grabbed the initiative, and Mille Spellerberg's string of goals helped them open up a 6:2 lead already by the seventh minute.

In the group stage, France had conceded the fewest goals at the entire competition alongside Spain. But now it was Denmark who were superb in defence, and goalkeeper Thilde Ladegaard Skov had a special impact, boasting a 53% save rate in the first half. Her efforts restricted France to just seven goals and a below-par 35% shooting efficiency before the interval, and the Nordic team comfortably led by six goals.

However, France's goalkeeping was also good, and Gabrielle Kabeya Tshisola's saves helped her team fight back into the game. After missing many shots in the first half, Gabrielle Buisson launched a 3:0 run early in the second half, and France slashed the gap to just two goals, 14:12, by the 40th minute.

However, Denmark weathered the storm. They capitalized on a string of France's turnovers and missed shots, increasing the gap again. Skov continued to shine between the posts, finishing the game with 15 saves, and her team were in front 20:16 with seven minutes to play.

France gained momentum in the closing minutes, as Buisson scored herself and set up two of Emma Plançon's goals to cut the gap to just one goal. But following a timeout in the last minute, Denmark's Sofie Hansen scored her fifth goal of the match with a 7m shot, securing her team's win in this low-scoring but exciting game.

On Tuesday, Denmark and Egypt will determine the group winner in a direct duel, while France and the Republic of Korea, who have both lost their chance for a quarter-final spot, will fight for third place in the group and an opportunity to play in the Placement Matches 9–12.

Player of the Match: Thilde Ladegaard Skov (Denmark)

Main Round Group IV
Switzerland vs Japan 41:31 (15:15)

Switzerland held the upper hand heading into the match after carrying two points into the main round, while Japan arrived with none. With a quarter-final place still within reach for both sides, the importance of the contest was evident from the opening whistle. Japan made the sharper start, racing into a 2:0 lead and leaving Switzerland waiting four minutes for their opening goal. The Japanese also looked to finish their attacks quickly, and while Switzerland tried to match that tempo, it occasionally backfired. By the seventh minute, Japan had already opened a three-goal cushion.

The Asian side extended their lead to a game-high four goals in the 17th minute when Hina Miura netted her fourth goal without a miss to make it 13:9. Switzerland responded by tightening their defence and later in the first half introduced goalkeeper Jael Billeter whose impact was immediate. She finished the first half with six saves from just eight shots faced, inspiring the Swiss comeback as the teams went into the break level at 15:15.

The good Swiss run continued after the break, as they grabbed their first lead in the game with Noelle Osterwalder's goal and just moments later set 18:16. Japan struggled to break through the improving Swiss defence, while Jael Billeter continued to frustrate the Asian attack with another series of important saves. The momentum fully shifted in the 39th minute when Switzerland opened a five-goal cushion, laying the foundations for victory.

Hina Miura remained Japan's driving force, scoring 12 goals, but Switzerland successfully neutralised the rest of the Japanese back court. Rio Hamaguchi, one of Japan's key attacking players, was limited to four goals from 14 attempts as the Swiss defence tightened its grip.

As the closing stages approached, Japan gradually ran out of answers, allowing Switzerland to stretch the gap into double digits at 35:25 in the 54th minute before comfortably seeing out the 41:31 victory with Cristina Hofstetter netting the most — eighth — among 10 Swiss scorers.

Japan remain the only team in Main Round Group IV without a point, but their quarter-final hopes are not over yet. They must beat Slovenia by two or more in the final round, and hope Switzerland overcome Slovakia earlier in the day, to go to the knock-out stage. Switzerland can qualify even with a loss in the last match, against Slovakia.

Player of the Match: Jael Billeter (Switzerland)