For the fourth consecutive edition, Argentina have made it to the Olympic Games, as the only team from the South and Central American Handball Confederation to secure a place between the top 12 teams in the world.

Argentina made their debut at the Olympic Games at London 2012 and, since then, have not missed an edition, finishing 10th, then 10th again at Rio 2016 and 12th, on the last place at Tokyo 2020, a performance they would likely want to improve when they take on the court at Paris 2024.

The South American powerhouse clinched their spot at Paris 2024 by sweeping their opponents at the Pan American Games back in November 2023, with five wins in five matches. They started with three wins in the preliminary round, 28:14 against USA, 37:16 against Uruguay and 28:20 against Cuba, extending their superb run in the knockout phase.

There, Argentina took a 33:26 win over Chile in the semi-finals, setting up a true derby against Brazil in the final, which they thoroughly dominated, delivering a fantastic 32:25 win, to secure the Paris 2024 ticket. Since then, though, Argentina have made a step back.

At the 2024 South and Central American Men's Handball Championship, which they hosted in Buenos Aires in January 2024, the South American side drew against Chile, 27:27, and lost against Brazil, 26:28, conceding the title and finishing only as runners-up, a wake-up call before a tough competition at Paris 2024.

However, Argentina are properly motivated to deliver a good performance, as this will likely be the swansong for their golden generation, after several members of that team have already finished their international careers, such as line player Gonzalo Carou, who is now a member of the staff.

With over 700 goals for Argentina, right back Federico Pizarro is 37 years old. Centre back Diego Simonet, the mastermind of the team and the most experienced player, is also 34 years old. Goalkeeper Leonel Maciel is also 35 years old, while left wing Ignacio Pizarro is 34 years old too.

This might look, on one hand, as an aging core, but Argentina will be properly motivated to secure their best finish yet at the Olympic Games at Paris 2024, however difficult that may seem.

We have a fighting group with clear ideas of improving in every training session and in every objective. We do dream of having a great performance. We are going to compete against five countries that are above us. What is clear is that we are working to improve ourselves and with the focus on where it should be. The best historical position is 10th place in Rio 2016. Of course we can improve it. Even if it is, it is the most difficult of all the four Olympic games. With nine European teams and with the champion (Denmark) and France, world, Olympic and European runner-up, in our group.

Drawn in Group B, Argentina will face four European sides – world champions Denmark, reigning Olympic and European champions France, Norway and Hungary, plus a very plucky Egypt side. And while their first two friendly matches against Spain were quite big losses, 26:32 and 29:40, Argentina will aim to stay strong and clinch at least one win, which would extend their chances for a quarter-finals berth.

Argentina

Coach: Guillermo Milano

Key Players: Diego Simonet (centre back), Federico Pizarro (right back), Leonel Maciel (goalkeeper)

Qualification for Paris 2024: 2023 Pan American Games: Champions

Previous appearances: 2012: 10th, 2016: 10th, 2020: 12th 

Group at Paris 2024: Group B: Denmark, Norway, Hungary, France, Egypt, Argentina