The 2017 IHF Women’s World Championship in Germany is ready for action as from 1-17 December 24 teams will be battling it out for global glory over 84 matches in six venues spread across the country.

But the tournament features another team – the referees. After being nominated back in July the 16 pairs of officials underwent a three-day preparation period in Germany back in September in cooperation with the German Handball Federation (DHB).

IHF.info, asked the same questions to all 32 of the referees set to whistle at Germany 2017, and this is what they had to say.

This time, we look at the Japanese referee pair of 39-year-old Kiyoshi Hizaki and Tomokazu Ikebuchi, who is 40.

IHF.info: Why did you want to be a referee?

Kiyoshi Hizaki (KH): I wanted to be a handball coach and I thought that the study of rules was necessary for that. Currently, I am also a handball coach at university here in Japan.

Tomokazu Ikebuchi (TI): Because I respect the referee's firm attitude.

IHF.info: What is the best part of refereeing?

KH: To stand on the court and, together with fans and players, enjoy our sport of handball.

TI: When the players on both teams show their power and skills on court.

IHF.info: What IHF World Championships – at any level – have you whistled at?

KH: We have whistled at the 2006 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship in Canada, the 2007 and 2017 IHF Men’s Youth World Championships in Bahrain and Georgia. The 2008 IHF Women’s Junior in FYR Macedonia, the 2009 and 2013 IHF Men’s Junior World Championships in Egypt and Bosnia and Herzegovina and the 2011 IHF Women’s World Championship in Brazil and 2015 men’s one in Qatar.

IHF.info: Have you been to Germany before?

KH: Only one time before.

TI: Germany 2017 will be the first time I have visited the country.

IHF.info: What other sports do you enjoy?

KH: Football, baseball – lots of sports.

TI: I like to watch football and baseball.

IHF.info: How long have you been whistling together?

TI: 20 years.

IHF.info: Can you remember when you first whistled together?

KH: Yes, at that time I was a beginner. I remember showing my first yellow card just before the end of the game.

TI: Of course I remember – it was a men’s college student game.

IHF.info: Tell us one thing about your partner that no-one knows…

KH: He has a daughter and a son and is a really good father – and husband!

TI: He is interested in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

IHF.info: How are you preparing for Germany 2017?

KH: I watched many Women’s EHF Champions League matches on ehfTV and am using the IHF Education Centre, looking at all the different case studies of all the different match situations.

TI: In addition to this, we are both concentrating on our physical training, studying the rules and watching all types of games on the internet.

IHF.info: Away from the teams or the games, what are you most looking forward to at Germany 2017?

KH: I’m interested in the historical towns, especially the monuments and buildings of medieval Europe.

TI: Like Kiyoshi, I am looking forward to seeing the streets and buildings – and to eat sausages.

IHF.info: Who is/are your favourite referee(s) in other sports – alive or dead, working or retired?

KH: Takaki Kato, He is an international basketball referee of basketball and became the first professional referee of Japan this past September.

TI: Pierluigi Collina.