Kosovo, Lithuania, Italy and Great Britain secured their places in the next Qualification Phase of the European Qualifiers for the 2027 IHF Women’s World Championship, overcoming their opponents in the Qualification Phase 1 last week, in the first step towards the women's world flagship handball competition.

Great Britain have never been in the Qualification Phase 2 of the European Qualifiers for the IHF Women’s World Championship before, therefore their performance against Luxembourg in the doubleheader which took place last week was even more impressive.

In the first leg, played in Derby, Luxembourg, who are coached by former France line player Nina Kamto, took a 22:20 win, with Laure Flener delivering a fantastic performance between the posts, saving 17 shots, for a 47% saving efficiency.

However, the second leg, played in Luxembourg, was all about Great Britain, who took control of the match early and never looked back, clinching a 27:15 win, after leading at the break, 14:9.

Two players – Katherine Emma Kesselring (13 goals) and Lea Jean Davies (10 goals) scored in double digits for Great Britain, combining for 23 of the team’s 27 goals, as Great Britain eventually pulled away with a 47:37 aggregate win.

Italy also made a step towards the World Championship, but they had to sweat against Bulgaria, who mounted a hefty challenge.

In the first leg, in Bulgaria, Italy had Ramona Manojlovic and Giada Babbo each scoring six goals, while Margherita Danti saved 14 shots for a 41% saving efficiency to take a 27:23 win.

In the second leg, Italy led 15:13 at the break, but needed Manojlovic to convert a free throw at the buzzer to save a draw, 27:27, but eventually pulled through, with a 54:50 aggregate win.

The other two pairings were straightforward. Lithuania dominated Belgium, first by taking a 27:19 away win in Hasselt, with Gabija Pilikauskaite scoring nine goals. The second leg was a procession, with Pilikauskaite adding nine more goals for a 28:20 win and a clear 55:39 aggregate win.

With both legs played in Prishtina, on their home court, Kosovo ensured safe passage from the first match against Estonia, which they took, 39:22. Merlina Qorraj scored 13 goals and goalkeeper Aurora Kryeziu saved 20 shots for a 48% saving efficiency, as in the second leg Kosovo lost, 25:27, but still progressed with a 64:49 aggregate win.

The draw for the Qualification Phase 2 of the European Qualifiers will take place on 19 December 2026, on the outskirts of the Women’s EHF EURO 2026. The four winners of the Qualification Phase 1 will join 18 teams who are not qualified yet.

The Qualification Phase 2 will be played as a doubleheader, with the first legs scheduled for 7-8 April 2027, and the second legs on 10-11 April 2027.

Hungary already sealed their ticket, as hosts, with the top three teams at the Women’s EHF EURO 2026 also qualifying.

2027 IHF Women's World Championship - European Qualification Phase 1

Belgium vs Lithuania 39:55 on aggregate (19:27; 20:28)
Great Britain vs Luxembourg 47:37 on aggregate (20:22; 27:15)
Bulgaria vs Italy 50:54 on aggregate (23:27; 27:27)
Estonia vs Kosovo 49:64 on aggregate (22:39; 27:25)