Croatia 2023 | Groups G & H: Clear path for favourites Germany and Sweden

Buoyed by the win in the 2023 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship, Germany will aim to make the double at Croatia 2023, and they are overwhelming favourites in Group G.

The runners-up at the last edition of the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, when they came on the second place in 2019, Germany will face Argentina, Saudi Arabia and the United States of America, anything but three wins in this group being a disappointment for the European powerhouse.

While Argentina are one of the five sides which have always qualified for the final tournament at the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, they have never finished higher than fourth, 16 years ago, at Bahrain 2007, and have made the top 10 only once since then, when they hosted the competition in 2011.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia will be participating for the second time in the competition after finishing on the 20th place in 2019, while the United States of America make their debut and will be aiming to absorb as much of the experience as possible.

However, Germany have their issues, with stalwarts Henri Pabst and David Móré missing through injuries.

In Group H, a plucky Faroe Islands team will aim to provide entertainment and excellent results as they make their debut at the IHF Men’s Youth World Championship, with a great generation spearheaded by centre back Oli Mittun.

The European side will be favoured against debutants Burundi and the Islamic Republic of Iran but will have their work cut out when they face one of the favourites, Sweden.

The Scandinavian side has never finished lower than the 11th place in the competition, with six consecutive top-6 placements before dropping their level in the previous edition. Still, they were warned during the friendly Scandinavian Open tournament, where they dropped matches against Egypt and Denmark before bouncing back with a win against Norway.

Group G

• Germany

The U21 German national team set an example by winning the IHF Men’s Junior (U21) World Championship in their home country at the beginning of July. At Croatia 2023, the U19 national team from head coach Emir Kurtagic has the chance to achieve the same and lift the trophy. Four years ago, the German U19 national team was close to that goal but lost the final to Egypt.

At the Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 in Montenegro, the German squad added another medal to their tally, securing a 29:22 win against Hungary in the bronze medal match. In September 2022, Emir Kurtagic took over the team. After having been a club coach for more than ten years, this is his first station as a youth national coach. Since then, the team has continued to fly high.

They defended their title at the Merzig Cup in December last year, winning all their five matches and the final against Iceland after a shoot-out. This success was followed by a flawless performance at the Airport Trophy tournament. For the first time since 2017, this competition was won by a German youth national team. Kurtagic’s team won all its matches against Poland, Montenegro and Switzerland. 

The Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 All-star left wing David Móré, who plays for the German club Rhein-Neckar Löwen, will miss the world championship due to injury. This is also the case for Henri Pabst from THW Kiel, the right back broke his foot in the last test game and will be out for several months.

At Croatia 2023, Germany are the only European team in Group G. They will meet the 2022 South and Central American Men’s Youth Handball Championship winners Argentina as well as the Asian team Saudi Arabia, who qualified for the second time, and the newcomers from the United States of America.

Key players: Max Günther (right wing), Julian Buchele (goalkeeper), Fritz-Leon Haake (centre back)

Qualification for Croatia 2023: Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 – 3rd

History in tournament: 2009: 7th, 2011: 7th, 2013: 3rd, 2015: 17th, 2017: 9th, 2019: 2nd 

• Argentina

For the first time in history, an Argentina U18 national team won the South and Central American Men’s Youth Handball Championship that took place on home soil in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in November 2022. 

The squad of head coach Rubén Busolin eased through their group, winning every match by double-digits, and left Uruguay without a chance in the semi-final. Brazil was the only team who could pick up a fight against Argentina. Nevertheless, the Argentinian team dominated the final as well and celebrated their first ever title. 

This performance will boost the young players’ confidence and will help them perform in a strong group, including the IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship 2019 runners-up Germany, bronze medallists of the 2022 Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship Saudi Arabia and the newcomers from the United States of America. 

Left back Lucas Obregón has high hopes as he stated on the Argentinian handball federation homepage: “I think it is a good group, although we are going to play against a very strong opponent from Germany, I know that this team can fight.”

“The goal is to get into the top eight of the World and although it will be difficult, I think we can do it. We have been preparing for that physically, mentally, and tactically.”

The youth national team arrives with another record in Croatia. Only four teams have always qualified for the competition since its start in 2005: Hosts Croatia, the powerhouse Denmark, the current IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship winners Egypt and the only South American team: Argentina.  

They will try to set up some surprises and build on previous successes at the beginning of the competition in 2007, when they ranked fourth at their second appearance.

Alongside Obregón, left wing Nicolas Rodriguez is a top scorer for his team. With left back Juan Gull and centre back Francisco Cuello, they have also two players in their squad who made an appearance at the 2023 IHF Men’s Junior (U21) World Championship in Germany/Greece. 

Key players: Lucas Obregón (left back), Nicolas Rodriguez (left wing), Juan Gull (left back)

Qualification for Croatia 2023: 2022 South and Central American Men’s Youth Handball Championship – Winner

History in tournament: 2005: 7th, 2007: 4th, 2009: 11th, 2011: 10th, 2013: 18th, 2015: 21st, 2017: 21st, 2019: 14th 

• Saudi Arabia

The 10th IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship in Croatia marks the second appearance for Saudi Arabia. They celebrated their premiere at North Macedonia 2019. 

Four years ago, the youth national team at that time faced an almost all-European group with the current hosts Croatia, Norway, Spain, and Slovenia. The only other non-European team was Chile. In their encounter, Saudi Arabia recorded their first win ever at the IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship in the opening match of their campaign. This victory remained their only one, but eventually secured them the 20th place. 

On their way to their second IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship, the Asian side played a superb Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship in Bahrain. They won their group with five convincing victories in a row but were stopped by the Islamic Republic of Iran in the semi-finals. This match included almost everything a handball heart could wish for. The clash went into double extra time and although right back Sajjad Alfardan equalised only one minute before the final buzzer, it was the Islamic Republic of Iran who went through to the final with their final goal with 18 seconds left on the clock.

The team recovered quickly from that intense match and faced Japan in the bronze medal match. After 40 minutes, Saudi Arabia were trailing by five but mounted a huge comeback and turned the tide. Once more Sajjad Alfardan stepped up and this time he scored the decisive goal to win the match for his team. It was the first bronze medal ever for Saudi Arabia at an Asian Men’s Youth World Championship.

At Croatia 2023, they will face two powerhouses: The current IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship runners-up Germany and the 2022 South and Central American Men’s Youth Handball Championship winners Argentina. Group G is completed by the newcomers from the United States of America and there could be a chance of winning the second match ever at an IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship.

Key players: Sajjad Alfardan (right back), Hussain Furaij (right wing), Ahmed Al Saed (right back)

Qualification for Croatia 2023: 2022 Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship – 3rd

History in tournament: 2019: 20th 

• United States of America

After more than 20 years of absence, the men’s national team returned to the world stage this year, the men’s junior national team celebrated their third appearance at Germany/Greece 2023 this summer and it is now up to the youngest national team to enter the IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship for the first time in history. 

The United States of America qualified at the 2022 North America and Caribbean Men’s Youth Handball Championship. This tournament was the first edition of its kind and took place in Mexico. Six teams participated in a round-robin format over five days. 

The team of head coach Martin Bilello had a great start to the tournament with a clear win over Dominica, but already one day later they could not stand a chance against the eventual champions from Guadeloupe. They recovered well from that loss and bounced back to earn a victory against Canada the following day. 

The most thrilling match took place on the fourth day against Mexico. Goalkeeper Mattia Cercalo was the man of the final minutes. His saves became goals on the offensive which erased a three-goal deficit and ended the match in a 33:33 tie. They ended the tournament on a high, winning against Puerto Rico and thereby winning the bronze medal match. 

Three players were named All-stars, including right back Tristan Morawski, goalkeeper Mattia Cercalo and pivot Maksim McCauley. Morawski and Cercalo as well as Evan Gordon and Benjamin Edwards already took part in the IHF Men’s Junior (U21) World Championship this summer. 

Especially Morawski is a well-known name in the handball community, as his father not only coaches the U21 American handball team but is also a former first division player of the Polish league. While his active career is over, his son dreams of a bright future. 

In their first participation, the United States of America are placed in Group G, where they will meet the 2022 South and Central American Men’s Youth Handball Championship winners Argentina in their opening match. It will not get easier as they will face the current World Championship runners-up from Germany and bronze medallists of the 2022 Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship Saudi Arabia.

Key players: Tristan Morawski (right back), Mattia Cercalo (goalkeeper), Maksim McCauley (pivot)

Qualification for Croatia 2023: 2022 North America and Caribbean Men’s Youth Handball Championship – 3rd

History in tournament: Debutants

Group B

• Sweden

The last IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship marked the worst outcome in Sweden’s history in this competition. For the first time, they did not make it into the top 10, although they finished with a victory against Norway to grab rank eleven. 

This year at Croatia 2023, it will be most unlikely to see the young Swedish team failing to finish in the top 10 teams of the tournament. At the Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 in Montenegro, Sweden made their way all up to the final in which they met Spain – again. They had already faced Spain in the preliminary round and had lost by seven goals. The final was more even, but in the end Spain won the trophy and Sweden were left with the silver medal. 

One player stood out not only during the final but throughout the whole tournament. Centre back Alex Månsson produced one of the best performances in a final of the Men’s 18 EHF EURO, scoring 13 goals. He was named All-star centre back and was the top scorer for his team and third best scorer of the competition with 54 goals.

Pelle Segertoft, who was elected as the best defender at the Men’s 18 EHF EURO, will not be part of the World Championship squad. Head coach Björn Sätherström already announced his 16 selected players. Among the squad will be the Arvid Larsson as well as some other World Championship debutants.  

To prepare for the 10th edition of the IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship, the Swedish team will play the Scandinavian Open where they will face Denmark, Egypt and Norway from 24 to 26 July before they will travel to Croatia. 

In Group H they will meet familiar faces from the Faroe Islands. They had played the opening match of the Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 against the Faroe Islands and won by three goals. The group is completed by the 2022 Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship runners-up Islamic Republic of Iran and newcomer Burundi. 

Key players: Axel Månsson (centre back), Linus Gustavsson (right back)

Qualification for Croatia 2023: Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 – 2nd

History in tournament: 2007: 3rd, 2009: 3rd, 2011: 3rd, 2013: 6th, 2015: 5th, 2017: 5th, 2019: 11th 

• Faroe Islands

For the first time in history, the Faroe Islands will participate in the IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship. And they will be eager to finish at least in the top 10. 

At the last Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 in Montenegro, they finished ninth and the U21 squad just ranked seventh at the IHF Men’s Junior (U21) World Championship 2023 in Germany/Greece, which will inspire the team of head coaches Hjalti Mohr Jacobsen and Djóni Gaard Joensen.

They have already announced the 16 players who will play in the first World Championship for this younger age category. Among the squad is of course one of the brightest talents, Óli Mittún. The 18-year-old left back plays for the Swedish club IK Sävehof, where he made his first international experience in the European League this season. 

Mittún was the outstanding player of the Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022. Although he and his team did not make it to the semi-finals, his performance could not be overlooked as he shone in the seven matches the Faroe Islands were playing. He not only became the MVP of the tournament, but also the top scorer. With an overall score of 80 goals, he set a new record, as no player had ever before scored so many goals at an M18 EHF EURO. 

The Faroe Islands have good chances to proceed to the main round although they are new to the competition. At Croatia 2023, they will face Sweden once more, as they did at the Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022. Group H is completed by the 2022 Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship runners-up Islamic Republic of Iran and Burundi. The latter one is new to the competition as well, entering the tournament as the fourth-strongest team of the 2022 African Men’s Youth Handball Championship.

Key players: Óli Mittún (left back), Niklas Gaard (right wing)

Qualification for Croatia 2023: Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 – 9th

History in tournament: Debutants

• Islamic Republic of Iran

After 13 years of absence, the Islamic Republic of Iran return to the IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship. This will be their fourth appearance on the world stage. They took part in the first three tournaments of this competition with good rankings between eight and twelve. 

At the 2022 Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship in Bahrain, the team of head coach Rahimizadeh Majid was on fire and was almost unstoppable until the final. They opened the Asian Championship with a loss against the Republic of Korea. After being defeated, they showed no mercy, winning with 40 goals against India, followed by an eleven-goal victory over Uzbekistan. The last group match against Bahrain was a real nail-biter. Only 20 seconds before the final whistle, Bahrain equalised at 29:29. It was left back Amir Karami who lifted his team to win the match with his buzzer-beater goal. 

The semi-final against Saudi Arabia was even more thrilling. The match went on double extra time and again Amir Karami played a very important role for his team. He was not only the one who equalised in the regular playing time, but he also scored the decisive goal which sent the Islamic Republic of Iran straight into the final. 

There, they met once more their opponents from the opening match, the Republic of Korea. They proved too strong for Majid’s team and eventually they won the silver medal and qualified for the IHF Men’s Youth (U19) World Championship. 

It will be interesting to see if the Asian team can cause an upset in their group. They will face the Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2022 runners-up Sweden as well as the two newcomers from the Faroe Islands and the African team Burundi. 

Key players: Amir Karami (left back), Ali Heidarian (left wing)

Qualification for Croatia 2023: 2022 Asian Men’s Youth Handball Championship – 2nd

History in tournament: 2005: 8th, 2007: 12th, 2009: 10th

• Burundi

At the 2022 African Men's Youth Championship in early September, Burundi qualified for the IHF Men's Youth (U19) World Championship. It is their first appearance in the younger age competition as they are one of the six newcomers to the competition. 

However, the road was not easy. Burundi had a challenging start to the 2022 African Men's Youth Championship held in Kigali, Rwanda. Their first match got cancelled and scored 10:0 to Morocco. The next day they tied with Libya after trailing by two at half-time and in their last group phase match, they won with eleven goals against Uganda which secured them a spot in the semi-final. 

They faced Egypt in the semi-final, the eventual champions of the competition, and were left without the slightest chance. In the bronze medal match, they finally played against Morocco, losing in a high-scoring final match, ranking in fourth place. Since five of the eight teams qualified for the IHF Men's Youth (U19) World Championship, their fourth place was their ticket to Croatia. 

In preparation for the tournament, they played two friendly matches in April against Rwanda, who had won the silver medal at the African Championship. While it was a head-to-head race in the first match, which ended with one more goal on Rwanda's account, the second match went better for their opponents, who defeated Burundi by 43:37. 

At Croatia 2023, Burundi will face a strong group. Although they are not the only newcomers in Group H, the Faroe Islands are to be rated better. In addition, they will meet the Men's 18 EHF EURO 2022 runners-up Sweden and the Islamic Republic of Iran, who finished second at the 2022 Asian Men's Youth Handball Championship.

Key players: Benin Ndayiradije (right back), Kevin Irumva (left wing), Daniel Karakura (centre back)

Qualification for Croatia 2023: 2022 African Men's Youth Handball Championship – 4th

History in tournament: Debutants

Photos: US Team Handball / German Handball Federation