Big wins for Germany and Denmark saw them edge closer of a quarter-finals berth at the 2026 IHF Women's Junior World Championship, while Norway downed Poland, in a high-stakes match which could prove pivotal in the battle for advancing for the next stage of the competition.

Main round, Group II
Germany vs Republic of Korea 40:22 (16:12)

The reigning W19 EHF EURO champions entered the main round carrying two points, knowing that another win against the Republic of Korea would put them in an excellent position to reach the quarter-finals. However, Korea were determined to deliver a much stronger performance than in their group-phase defeat to Spain, and for much of the first half they managed to keep the match level.

In fact, Korea enjoyed the upper hand for long spells and even opened a three-goal lead, 9:6, in the 17th minute, while Germany’s only advantage before that had come at 4:3. But a strong defensive performance, which forced Korea into mistakes, allowed Germany to find another gear around the 20-minute mark. Marleen Kern put the Europeans back in front at 11:10 before a 5:1 run in the closing stages gave Germany a comfortable lead at halftime, with nine different players already on the scoresheet.

While there was still hope for Korea, the only non-European side in Main Round Group II, those hopes completely faded after the restart. Germany spurred a 6:0 run in less than five minutes to open a double-digit lead, 23:13, leaving no room for surprises. Korea, whose game relied heavily on Chanhee Park, struggled to find solutions as she was not at her usual offensive level, while the team finished with 25 turnovers. Only Ayoung Suh and Hyosung Choi consistently found their way through Germany’s defence.

Marleen Kern and Aylin Bornhardt led Germany to another convincing victory and a huge step towards the quarter-finals, with the reigning European champions now sitting top of the group on four points with their first 40-goal game at China 2026. Korea remain on zero ahead of the final main round day, where Germany will face Spain in a decisive clash for first place, and Korea will take on Romania.

Player of the Match: Aylin Bornhardt (Germany)

Main round, Group III
Denmark vs Czechia 40:18 (15:8)

Denmark have reached the quarter-finals in each of their last five appearances at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, and they took another step towards extending that streak in their opening main round match at China 2026. Carrying two points into the group, the Danes needed only 15 minutes to fully impose their rhythm against Czechia.

The Czech side stayed within reach early on thanks to several good saves from their goalkeepers, but lacked composure in attack. Turnovers proved costly, while only Viktorie Vrbková managed to score more than once in the opening half.

On the other side, Denmark, led by Kristine Emilie Hoppe, took full control after the 15th minute. After opening an 8:4 lead, the Danes gradually widened the gap and headed into halftime with a comfortable seven-goal advantage.

The balance of power did not change after the restart, as Denmark continued to dictate the pace and stay firmly in control. The goalkeeping duo of Freja Fonseca Nielsen and Freja Sølling Fager also played their part, recording 12 saves from 25 shots (48%) and three saves from seven attempts (43%), respectively.

Their dominance was further fuelled by hummel Player of the Match Kristine Emilie Hoppe, who netted 12 goals, including Denmark’s 40th, as the Scandinavians broke the 40-goal barrier for the second time at China 2026, while this was one of the lowest-scoring matches for Czechia.

Czechia simply could not cope with the Danish rhythm, scoring only twice in the opening 10 minutes of the second half. The decisive spell came between the 41st and 45th minute, when Denmark put together a 6:0 unanswered run to underline their convincing win. Czechia will conclude the main round against hosts People’s Republic of China, while Denmark face another all-European challenge against Montenegro.

Player of the Match: Kristine Emilie Hoppe (Denmark)

Main round, Group IV
Poland vs Norway 23:29 (14:14)

Thanks to a late surge, Norway celebrated a six-goal win against Poland and took their first points in the main round, keeping their chances of a quarter-final spot alive. In turn, Poland dropped their first points at China 2026 following three consecutive victories in the group stage.

Poland had 18 turnovers and a 53% shooting efficiency in this match, and in particular, one of the tournament’s leading scorers, Zuzanna Zimnicka, converted just five of her 11 attempts. However, her team led for most of the first half, and they enjoyed their biggest advantage in the game in the 24th minute, 13:8 after a 4:0 run.

However, Norway showed character. Solid defence and a few saves by Leah Isabell Langaard helped the Scandinavians to a 6:1 surge, and Julie Ellingsen’s fourth goal in the match saw her team draw level in the last second of the first half.

Poland regained control for a while after the restart, taking an 18:16 lead nine minutes into the second half. However, Norway drew level again before enjoying a crucial 7:1 run between the 47th and 55th minutes, as goals by Milla Breen and Sara Barbosa handed them a 26:20 lead.

Player of the Match Breen stood out with her nine goals in this game, while Langaard contributed to Norway’s win with 13 saves. On Tuesday, Norway will finish the main round with a match against Hungary, and Poland will face Japan.

Player of the Match: Milla Breen (Norway)