The preliminary round of the 1st IHF Men’s Under-17 World Championship will conclude on Tuesday, 28 October, in the Nouacer Hall in Casablanca, with a full slate of six matches, which will decide the last three semi-finalists of the competition.

GROUP B

• 10:30 WEST Republic of Korea vs Qatar
• 12:35 WEST Spain vs Tunisia

GROUP C

• 14:40 WEST Islamic Republic of Iran vs Puerto Rico
• 16:45 WEST Germany vs Argentina

GROUP A

• 18:50 WEST Brazil vs United States of America
• 20:55 WEST Egypt vs Morocco

What’s at stake? Three semi-finals berths at the inaugural IHF Men’s Under-17 World Championship. Egypt have already secured their place for the knockout phase of the competition by winning Group A, while Germany and Spain have dominated their opponents with double-digits wins to sit at the top of the other groups. Both can be dethroned, but it will take something special from Argentina and Tunisia respectively to derail the European sides’ campaigns.

Who qualifies for the semi-finals? The three group winners plus the best second-placed side. For the latter, Argentina are in the best position, with four points and a +27 goal difference, but they play against Germany. Brazil have two points, but are at a -2 goal difference, the same situation Tunisia are finding themselves in. However, Brazil will be facing the United States of America, while Tunisia can be leapfrogged by Qatar, which also have two points, but a -9 goal difference, and are facing the Republic of Korea.

Why is it important to finish as the best group winner? Theoretically, the best group winner will face the best second-placed side in the preliminary round standings, a team which, in theory, will lose one match. However, provided the best group winner comes from the same group as the best second-placed team, the best group winner will meet the third-best group winner.  That means, the incentive to secure the best results is high. After two rounds, Germany have four points and are at +64, Spain have four points and are at +58, while Egypt have four points and are at +29. Therefore, if this was the case, with Argentina as the best second-placed team, Germany would meet Egypt and Spain would face Argentina in the semi-finals.

What’s in play for the other teams? Finishing in a better position will send the teams in the Placement Matches 5-8, rather than in the Placement Matches 9-12. The Islamic Republic of Iran and Puerto Rico are facing off with the third place in the Group C at stake, while Brazil and the USA are clashing for the second place in the Group A. In Group B, Korea can leapfrog Qatar provided they win in this match.