The third day of competition sees the main and consolation rounds commence in Tunisia. They will feature 14 games – seven men’s and seven women’s – across four late afternoon/evening sessions.

Rematch of 2024 EURO final highlight in men’s competition

Spain and Hungary renew rivalries on the first day of main round group I action, which sees them bring maximum points to this stage.

They know each other well having met in the YAC 16 EURO final last year, with Hungary running out 2-1 winners after an epic shoot-out (18:20, 21:18, SO 15:14). Spain had defeated their opponents earlier in the competition, 2-1 (26:20, 16:17, SO 9:8) in the main round.

The remaining games in the two main round groups are all inter-continental, with Oman taking on title-holders Croatia and Puerto Rico playing Germany in group 1, while group II will see debut match-ups between Tunisia and Uruguay, Thailand and Brazil and Mexico and Argentina.

In the sole consolation round game of the day, Kenya and Senegal have the opportunity to win their first-ever IHF Beach Handball World Championship game in this continental clash.

Hungary face Croatia again after EURO victory last year

Like the men’s competition, the women’s competition also features a rematch of the YAC 16 EURO 2024 bronze medal, when Hungary play Croatia in main round group II. Last year, Croatia beat Hungary 2-0 to claim the final podium spot, with a 19:16, 20:16 victory, Helena Furcic scoring 20 points in an incredible performance.

Debutants Senegal and Tunisia face tough match-ups against title-holders Spain, and Uruguay respectively, while Kenya or Bulgaria – both in their first beach handball world championship too – will get their first-ever win when they meet in the consolation round.

In main round group 1, France and Netherlands bring maximum points to the group having won all three of their preliminary group games each. They will both expect to beat their Asian opponents in the former of China and Thailand respectively, while Germany and Brazil, both sitting on two points each in the group on the first day will look to grab another two to put them in a stronger position.

All games will be streamed live via the IHF YouTube Competitions channel.

Thursday 19 June – Schedule
(All times local)

Men’s Competition

Main Round Group I

1600 ESP vs HUN, OMA vs CRO, PUR vs GER

Main Round Group II

1830 TUN vs URU, THA vs BRA, MEX vs ARG

Consolation Round

1830 KEN vs SEN, (IRI vs COK)*

Women’s Competition

Main Round Group I

1650 FRA vs CHN, BRA vs GER, THA vs NED

Main Round Group II

1740 HUN vs CRO, SEN vs ESP, TUN vs URU

Consolation Round

1740 KEN vs BUL, (TAN vs MEX)*

*Following a team and schedule change on the eve of the world championships these games have been awarded as default 2-0 (10:0, 10:0) wins to Cook Islands and Mexico respectively.