There are two preliminary round groups featuring three European teams at the 27th IHF Men’s World Championship and Group E is one of them. The group brings together two powerhouses, France and Norway, as well as a European team capable of delivering surprises, Austria.

One of the most interesting groups at Egypt 2021 is completed by the United States of America, who are making their World Championship return after 20 years – an opportunity to gain experience and to be finally back at the highest level for American handball.

Already a powerhouse in women’s handball, Norway have made huge strides for the men’s team, who won which won silver at the past two IHF Men’s World Championships.

The first group game will be a rematch of the 2017 IHF Men’s World Championship final, when France won their sixth title after defeating Norway 33:26 in a terrific performance on home soil.

Coincidentally, both Norwegian losses in that championship came against France, with the former being a 28:31 close call in the group phase.

France have won the last five games played between the two sides at the World Championship. However, Norway have avenged those losses in the last championship game between the two top European sides, as they won 28:26 in the group phase at the Men’s EHF EURO 2020.

With the French side actively trying to rebuild their veteran squad and missing experienced back Nikola Karabatic due to injury, Norway could snatch the first World Championship win against their European counterparts since 1961.

Therefore, the experience and depth are clear with Norway and France – and history between the two sides dating back 60 years make them the teams to watch in Group E. Yet attention should be paid to the other European side in the group, Austria.

Austria will feature a mix of exciting young players who are just starting to emerge on the big stage and experienced players in key positions.

For the first time ever, Austria have qualified for back-to-back editions of the IHF Men’s World Championship. They finished a disappointing 19th place in 2019, winning only one game, in the group phase against Saudi Arabia. 

Also in their group two years ago: Norway. The Scandinavian side beat Austria clearly 34:24. Top Norwegian back Sander Sagosen was impossible to stop, scoring eight goals against the Austrian defence.

Austria also have a negative record against France, winning only once in nine tries against ‘Les Experts’, including a clear-cut defeat at the Men’s EHF EURO 2020 (26:33).

The three European sides will be joined by the United States, who will make their comeback on the world stage of men’s handball after a 20-year hiatus.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the organisation of a qualifying tournament for Egypt 2021 back in November, the IHF Council nominated the United States, at the request of North American and the Caribbean Handball Confederation President Mario A. Garcia.

This will be the seventh IHF Men’s World Championship appearance for the United States, a team still searching for their first win in the competition.

The United States have never faced France in the competition, but, lost to both Norway (15:41) and Austria (19:31) at the 1993 World Championship. However, playing those teams will provide great experience as they aim to climb a steep learning curve before hosting the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

All Group E matches will be played in 6th of October Sports Hall on 14, 16 and 18 January. More information on the 27th IHF Men’s World Championship can be found here.