Tunisia have been somewhat in a handball purgatory over the last years, after winning the President’s Cup – finishing on the 25th place – at the previous two editions of the IHF Men’s World Championship, at Egypt 2021 and Poland/Sweden 2023. By no means missing out on a main round berth was a success for the African side, which is in definite need of improvement, were they to secure a place at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Three years ago, in the Olympic Qualification Tournaments, Portugal stunned their opponents and secured the maiden berth for the Olympic Games, with an outstanding 29:28 win against France, which saw them clinch the second ticket for Tokyo 2020, in a three-way tie with the eventual Olympic champions and Croatia.

Hungary have made the top-10 at the last nine editions of the IHF Men’s World Championship they took part in and the side looks to be on the up, especially after Chema Rodriguez took over the team after an early elimination at the EHF EURO 2022, when the European side played on their home court, but ended up on the 15th place.

Every competition has its dark horse and Austria played that role surprisingly efficient at the EHF EURO 2024, where they tied their best-ever result, the eighth place, and secured a place in the Olympic Qualification Tournaments via the continental quota, with two places reserved for the best continent at the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship, Europe.

In their four appearances at the Olympic Games, Algeria have always finished in double digits, with a 10th place in 1980, 1988 and in 1996 and on the 12th place in 1984. However, the African side has never made it to the final competition since Atlanta 1996, making it 28 years removed since their last appearance.

A two-time gold medal winner at the Olympic Games, Croatia have been plotting their return to the competition after missing out at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, finishing third in an Olympic Qualification Tournament which saw Croatia leapfrogged by France and Portugal three years ago.

After a dip in the early 2020s, Germany went back to the drawing board and came back roaring. They finished fifth at the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship and fourth at the EHF EURO 2024, being one of the teams which can always spring a surprise or two, with some excellent potential.

Slovenia have qualified for the Olympic Games only three times in their history, finishing eighth at Sydney 2000, 11th at Athens 2004 and sixth at Rio 2016. Now, the European side will aim to make it to the final tournament for the fourth time, being earmarked as one of the favourites in the Olympic Qualification Tournament 1 in Granollers, Spain.

Norway made the final at the 2017 and 2019 IHF Men’s World Championship, securing the silver medal each time, and doubled down on that excellent run of form by sealing the bronze medal at the EHF EURO 2020. Since then, though, the Scandinavian side failed to get their rhythm going and finished sixth at Egypt 2021 and Poland/Sweden 2023, as well as ninth at the EHF EURO 2024.

While making their debut at the Olympic Games, at Tokyo 2020, Bahrain were one of the big surprises of the competition, becoming the only Asian team to make the quarter-finals, where they lost against eventual champions, France, 28:42. It was a big success which heralded the improvements made by Bahrain over the last decade.