Two goals for the Blues? With the selection significantly revised, the French team, winners in 2023, are not favorites for the 27th edition of the Women’s World Handball Championship. It takes place from November 26 to December 14 in two countries: Germany, which invented the sport, and the Netherlands where its final phase will take place.
Thirty-two countries are involved in this World Cup, which still promises to be an uneven first round of matches. They were divided into eight groups consisting of four people. The two highest ranked teams and the three best third ranked teams will qualify for the second round and will be divided into four groups consisting of six teams. The two highest ranked countries will compete in the quarterfinals of a tournament and it’s time to get to the heart of the matter.
Grand Slam for Norway?
The International Federation may want to broaden the field, but we already have an idea of the final four. Barring any surprises, it will be 100% European with, as always, the big favourite: Norway. The strongest women’s team in the world has the opportunity to win the Grand Slam. Olympic and European champion in 2024, he could be crowned – as was the case in 2021 – and thus hold three major trophies at the same time.
Apart from France, the threat to Norway comes from two countries that shone at the last Euro: Denmark, the finalist, and Hungary, the bronze medal winner. Germany and the Netherlands are also still enemies that we must be wary of.
Les Bleues with a new display option
World champions two years ago, France under Sébastien Gardillou, who has gone from assistant to number one coach, dreams of retaining its title, which no one has achieved since Russia in 2005 and 2007. Except for the Blues who have been significantly overhauled. Half of the girls are out in 2023. Between pregnancies (Estelle Nze-Minko, Flippes, Valentini…), injuries (Laura Glauser) and uncertainty (Zaadi), it’s a new-look selection that plays its first round in Hertogenbosch (s-Hertogenbosch)) in the Netherlands. If all goes well, the Blues will play the second round in Rotterdam, where they will stay until a possible final.
The current world champions enter the competition this Friday, November 28 against Tunisia (9 p.m.). Their first round in Group F is largely within reach with their next matches against China (November 30) and Poland (December 2). In the next round, they will face opponents from Group E, namely the Netherlands, Austria, Argentina or Egypt. Here too, it really comes into its own.
After that, things will get more difficult with a possible quarter-final against Denmark or Hungary who the Blues play in the Euro 2024 semi-finals and final respectively. Unless there is a hitch in the first half, France will avoid Norway before a possible final.
The World Cup and all Les Bleues matches can be watched live, completely and exclusively on BeIN Sport.
