The draw for the preliminary round groups of the IHF Men’s World Championship 2027 is just around the corner. On 10 June, the teams will be allocated to the eight groups at the Hofbräuhaus in Munich. Following the third round of European qualification and the continental championship in North America, 30 of the 32 participating teams have now been confirmed.
From dominant performances and surprise victories to last-second drama, the qualification matches delivered everything handball fans could hope for. Here is an overview of the results:
Turkey no match for strong Norway
The roles were clear before the clash: Norway entered both matches as overwhelming favourites. Turkey had already fought their way impressively through the first two qualification rounds, but few gave them realistic chances.
In the opening encounter, Norway quickly demonstrated the difference in quality. The Norwegians led for almost the entire game. Driven by the powerful backcourt duo Patrick Anderson and Sander Sagosen, Jonas Wille’s team pulled away decisively after the 40-minute mark. These were Wille’s final matches in charge of the national team, as his contract will not be renewed after the summer. In the end, the scoreboard in Gjøvik showed a comfortable 43:30 victory for Norway.
The return leg in Ankara followed a similar script. After a lightning-fast 0:5 start from the Turkish perspective after just five minutes, the game already seemed decided. Turkey briefly reduced the gap to 5:8 (15’), but Norway soon pulled away again. At 9:18, the aggregate lead had already grown to 22 goals. Norway comfortably managed the advantage throughout the second half and eventually secured a 37:30 away win. August Pedersen scored 14 goals for Norway across the two matches, while Arda Yildiz netted 18 times for Turkey.
Aggregate result: Norway – Turkey 80:60
Double thriller between Austria and Poland
The clashes between Austria and Poland attracted significant attention. Austria had impressed with strong performances in recent years, while Poland had struggled to meet expectations despite boasting EHF Champions League stars such as Kamil Syprzak and Arkadiusz Moryto.
The first match in Graz immediately turned into a thriller. Poland made the better start, pulling ahead 4:8 after twelve minutes. Austria fought back, inspired by goalkeeper Constantin Möstl, and levelled the game at 11:11 in the 21st minute. Poland repeatedly regained the lead, but Mykola Bilyk equalised again with 50 seconds remaining (25:25). However, line player Maciej Gębala had the final word, scoring for a 26:25 Polish victory.
Four days later, another dramatic encounter followed in front of 4,030 spectators in Olsztyn. This time, Austria controlled large parts of the match, constantly leading by one or two goals. Coach Iker Romero relied heavily on the seventh field player in attack, with Lukas Hutecek orchestrating play brilliantly. Austria led 17:13 at half-time, and a World Championship ticket appeared within reach.
But Poland turned the game around at 24:23 in the 47th minute. What followed was a true thriller, with neither team able to create decisive separation. Tobias Wagner restored Austria’s lead at 30:29 in the 58th minute, only for Michał Daszek to equalise with five seconds left. The right winger’s goal secured Poland’s place at the IHF Men’s World Championship 2027 in Germany.
Aggregate result: Austria – Poland 55:56
Sensation in Rotterdam
There were scenes of wild celebration among the Greek players. In two gripping encounters against a Dutch team packed with international stars, Greece emerged victorious and booked its place at the IHF Men’s World Championship 2027. Their qualification is one of the biggest surprises of the campaign.
The first leg took place in front of just 900 spectators in Chalkida. Despite the modest crowd, Greece started on fire and quickly moved ahead 10:5 (17’). The Dutch gradually closed the gap, and a quick double strike from Robin Nagtegaal levelled the game at 18:18 in the 41st minute. The Netherlands then took control and led 25:20 with eight minutes remaining.
But Greece responded spectacularly. A 9:2 run in the closing minutes sealed an impressive 29:27 victory.
The Dutch erased the aggregate deficit early in the second leg. At 9:5 after eleven minutes, they were ahead overall for the first time. But then the pattern of the first match repeated itself: Greece produced another devastating 9:2 run and led 20:14 at half-time. The Netherlands never recovered. Greece secured a remarkable 37:33 away win and qualified for the World Championship.
Aggregate result: Greece – Netherlands 67:60
Italy gets its revenge
Switzerland and Italy last met competitively around 16 months earlier. In the main round of the IHF Men’s World Championship 2025, Switzerland had claimed third place behind Germany and Denmark thanks to a convincing 33:25 victory. Italy wanted revenge in qualification for the 2027 tournament.
At first, it looked promising for the Italians. After fifteen minutes of the first leg, Bob Hanning’s team led 10:5. Switzerland recovered and cut the deficit to 17:16 by half-time. Momentum then shifted completely towards the Swiss, who, led by youngster Luca Sigrist, extended their lead to 23:19 (41’). Italy managed to limit the damage, however, with the match ending 32:29 for Switzerland.
The opening stages of the second leg remained balanced, with Noam Leopold scoring for 9:8 after fifteen minutes. Then Italy raised the intensity. Backed by 4,000 passionate fans in Faenza, the hosts stormed to a 20:12 half-time lead.
In the second half, Switzerland never reduced the deficit below six goals. Gianluca Dapiran’s goal for 37:29 in the 57th minute sparked celebrations in green, white and red. Italy had completed its revenge mission and qualified for a second consecutive World Championship.
Aggregate result: Switzerland – Italy 63:67
Dujshebaev’s first appearance on France’s bench
Many fans were eager to watch the clashes between the Czech Republic and France – not because they expected high drama, but because Talant Dujshebaev was making his debut as France’s head coach. Could the legendary coach manage this star-studded squad?
The answer came immediately in the first leg. France stormed into a 10:5 lead after eleven minutes and continued to pull away throughout the match. At 32:20 through Dylan Nahi in the 50th minute, the result was beyond doubt. France cruised to a dominant 37:26 away win and already had one foot on the plane to Germany.
The return leg in Orléans began more evenly, with the Czech Republic staying close until 8:7 after ten minutes. France then stepped up a gear, leading 21:13 at half-time. Another heavy defeat seemed inevitable, but the Czech side at least limited the damage in the second half. France eventually completed the job with a comfortable 36:31 victory.
Talant Dujshebaev’s debut could hardly have gone better.
Aggregate result: Czech Republic – France 57:73
Balkan thriller delivers high drama
Handball matches in the Balkans promise passion, emotion and intensity – and the clashes between Montenegro and Slovenia fully lived up to expectations.
In the first leg in Podgorica, Slovenia initially controlled the match. The visitors gradually extended their lead and were ahead 16:12 at half-time. Montenegro emerged transformed after the break. Their defence tightened up, while Ćorsović and company found rhythm in attack. Stefan Čavor’s goal for 20:19 in the 40th minute sent the arena into chaos.
But Slovenia kept their composure and regained control, eventually securing a narrow 29:28 away win.
The second leg in Koper followed a similar pattern. In front of 3,090 spectators, Slovenia again dictated proceedings and led 15:9 after 24 minutes. Yet Montenegro once more battled back. Branko Vujović reduced the deficit to 21:20 in the 40th minute, setting up another dramatic finish.
Neither side could create separation. Once again, Stefan Čavor reduced the margin to a single goal with two and a half minutes remaining. But Slovenia had a superstar to rely on: Aleks Vlah scored for 31:29 with 30 seconds left, sealing qualification for Slovenia. With 15 goals across both matches, he was also the top scorer of the Balkan thriller.
Aggregate result: Montenegro – Slovenia 57:60
Part two of the qualification review will focus on the remaining four European qualification matches as well as the North American continental championship. It will also include a full overview of all teams qualified so far for the IHF Men’s World Championship 2027.
Further information:
Images: Sascha Klahn/Newspix/Xinhua