Handball WM 2025: Spielplan, Gruppen und Favoriten

The Handball World Championship 2025 is one of the most eagerly awaited global sporting events, offering fans a rich mosaic of fixtures, teams, and narratives. Covering everything from the spielplan (game schedule) to gruppen (groups) and favoriten (favorites), the tournament combines tradition with fresh competition, while unfolding across multiple European hosts—Dänemark, Kroatien, and Norwegen. The convergence of storied dynasties and emerging challengers promises drama, suspense, and unforgettable moments.

Tournament Structure and Schedule Overview

Hosts, Dates, and Format

The 29th Men’s Handball World Championship runs from 14 January to 2 February 2025, hosted across three countries: Denmark, Croatia, and Norway . The opening match ignites the tournament on 14 January in Herning, Denmark, and the grand finale is set for 2 February in Oslo, Norway . A total of 108 matches, featuring 32 teams, will decide the champion, with the format including preliminary group stages, a main round, and a knockout phase .

Preliminary Groups (Spielplan & Gruppen)

Here are the groups for the opening round:

• Group A (Herning): Germany, Czechia, Poland, Switzerland
• Group B: Denmark, Italy, Algeria, Tunisia
• Group C: France, Austria, Qatar, Kuwait
• Group D: Hungary, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Guinea
• Group E: Norway, Portugal, Brazil, USA
• Group F: Sweden, Spain, Japan, Chile
• Group G: Slovenia, Iceland, Cuba, Cape Verde
• Group H: Egypt, Croatia, Argentina, Bahrain .

Top three teams in each group progress to the main round, structured into groups of six, from which the best two qualify for the quarter-finals .

Key Matches and Match Dynamics

Notable Fixture Highlights

Germany opens with a high-stakes match against Poland on 15 January at 20:30, followed by showdowns with Switzerland and Czechia . These encounters set the tone for Group A, and any drop in form could be costly.

Meanwhile, Dänemark, as reigning champions, begin their defense in Group B; their group includes Italy, Algeria, and Tunisia . The early clash with Italy, which marks the tournament’s kickoff, underscores the high stakes even from day one .

Favorites, Underdogs, and Competitive Landscape

Top Contenders

Denmark remains the team to beat, boasting three consecutive World Championship titles and entering 2025 with confidence and cohesion . They are expected to lead Group B comfortably, though Italy, Algeria, or Tunisia may spring surprises. France, Germany, Norway, and Spain are also widely considered favorites to contend for medals .

Insight from Expert Perspective

“Denmark could make history again, but France’s depth and Norway’s momentum create a compelling three-way tussle for the podium.”

Predictions and Evolving Storylines

Expert picks forecast Denmark meeting France in the final, with Germany or perhaps Slovenia making a deep run to bronze . Main round groupings fuel the intrigue:

• Group I: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Algeria, Italy
• Group II: France, Hungary, Netherlands, Austria, North Macedonia, Qatar
• Group III: Sweden, Spain, Norway, Portugal, Brazil, Japan
• Group IV: Slovenia, Egypt, Croatia, Iceland, Bahrain, Cape Verde .

These lineups guarantee high-stakes matches featuring traditional titans and rising challengers.

Noteworthy Team Storylines

• Germany (Group A) is lean and lethal, leveraging robust rosters and home-court advantage to expect progression straight through to the knockouts .
• Group E sees a tense battle among powerhouse teams—Norway, Portugal, Brazil, and USA—all with realistic hopes of advancing .
• Group F brings a stylistic clash: Sweden’s disciplined structure versus Spain’s flair, with Japan and Chile eager to upset the balance .
• Group G and H offer unpredictability, with teams like Cuba, Cape Verde, Egypt, and Argentina challenging old hierarchies .

Hosting Insights and Venues

The tournament leverages world-class arenas:

• Norway: Unity Arena in Bærum (Oslo region)
• Denmark: Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning—hosting Group B and main round matches
• Croatia: Venues include Varaždin Arena, Žatika Sport Centre in Poreč, and Arena Zagreb—used for group and knockout rounds .

Host nations have enjoyed placement benefits; for instance, Denmark, Norway, and Croatia headline their respective groups for home-court advantage .

Real-World Highlights & Anecdotes

A highlight worthy of sharing—though not from this championship year but indicative of sport’s unpredictability—is the infamous incident of a streaker dispersing confetti during a match, leading to players themselves cleaning the court to speed up play . These stories underscore the human dimension that always adds color to competition.

Conclusion

The Handball World Championship 2025 unites talent, tradition, and tenacity. From a packed Spielplan to strategic Gruppen, the tournament builds suspense across preliminary skirmishes, a fiercely competitive main round, and a high-stakes knockout phase. Top contenders—Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, and Spain—face determined challengers like Portugal, Brazil, and emerging nations seeking to upset the order. With home advantage and world-class arenas enriching every moment, this event promises a compelling, dramatic display of handball at its finest. Stay tuned: the path to the final is one breath away, and every match could be the one that changes the narrative.

FAQs

When does the Handball WM 2025 take place?
The tournament runs from 14 January to 2 February 2025, starting in Herning, Denmark, and culminating in Oslo, Norway.

Which teams are grouped with Germany in the preliminary round?
Group A includes Germany, Czechia, Poland, and Switzerland.

Who are the main favorites to win the tournament?
Denmark leads the pack as three-time defending champions, with France, Norway, Germany, and Spain also seen as strong medal contenders.

How does the format move from group stage to champion?
The top three from each of the eight groups enter the main round (four groups of six). The top two from each main round group then progress to the quarter-finals, followed by semifinals and the final.

Where are the matches being played?
Key venues include Herning (Denmark), Bærum near Oslo (Norway), and venues in Croatia—Varaždin, Poreč, and Zagreb—all hosting various stages of the tournament.

Is there an official prediction for the final matchup?
One expert forecast suggests a Denmark vs. France final, with Germany or Slovenia possibly taking bronze.