Phase 2 of the European Qualifiers for The 2023 IHF World Men's Handball Championship, which will be hosted by Sweden and Poland starts today. Because of that, we’ll take a quick look on what is the situation like for our SEHA – Gazprom League representative countries and what is it they have to do in order to book a place in Sweden and Poland.

Speaking of European representatives in general – Sweden, Poland, Denmark, France, Norway and Spain already have a World Championship ticket.

Qualification process has three phases and we are now entering the second one in which teams will look to proceed to the final round. Croatia, Serbia, the Netherlands, Iceland, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Hungary and Germany will join the Qualifiers in the final phase.

What we already know is that Croatia will in phase 3 face off against Finland in April. Serbia will play better from the duel between Slovenia and Italy and the Netherlands will face off versus either Portugal or Switzerland. Iceland will in phase 3 meet either Austria or Estonia, Montenegro will play against better from the encounter between Greece and Bosnia and Herzegovina, winner between Macedonia and Romania will play Czech Republic. Hungarians will look for the WHc ticket against either Lithuania or Israel, Germany will play Faroe Islands and Slovakia will battle Belgium for the direct place in Sweden & Poland.

European qualifiers for WCh 2023, Phase 2 (Mar 16 – 20)

Slovenia – Italy
Portugal – Switzerland
Austria – Estonia
Greece – Bosnia and Herzegovina
NORTH MACEDONIA – Romania
Lithuania – Israel
SLOVAKIA – Belgium

Photo credit: Kolektiff Images