World Championship Main Round in Cologne – France Could Face Croatia Once Again
When France and Croatia meet, some of the world's best handball players often go head-to-head. Their encounters are known for their intensity and fierce competition. At their most recent World Championship meeting, France suffered a defeat against Croatia.
In 31 matches against Croatia, France has claimed 19 victories. One encounter ended in a draw, while Croatia has won eleven times. Interestingly, Croatia has won the last three World Championship matches between the two nations. At European Championships, however, France has been the dominant force, winning all five of its most recent encounters against Croatia.
Particularly during the 2000s, this rivalry was not just about France versus Croatia – it was also about Karabatić versus Balić. The two superstars defined these encounters for several years. The highlight came in the 2009 World Championship final. Despite leading at half-time, Croatia eventually suffered a 24:19 defeat against France, missing out on a second world title on home soil.
Just one year later, the two teams met again in the European Championship final. Once again, France came out on top, securing a 25:21 victory over Croatia and claiming the second of its four European Championship titles.
At the 2027 World Championship in Germany, fans may not have to wait until the final to witness another chapter of this rivalry. If both teams successfully navigate their preliminary round groups C and D, France and Croatia could meet as early as the main round in Cologne.
This would set up a potential rematch of the 2025 World Championship semi-final, when Croatia claimed a 31:28 victory in front of its home crowd, ending France's hopes of winning the title.
Previous encounters have shown that whenever these two teams meet, there is more at stake than just victory – national pride and prestige are also on the line.
Fans who want to experience this classic handball rivalry live can still secure tickets for the main round in Cologne.