List: The best defensive players at the 2025 Men’s World Championship

The 2025 Men’s World Championship is getting closer and in a series of articles Ola Selby, reporter at GoHandball, picks his 5 best players at each position. Last up: the defensive players.

Here are the players:

Jonathan Carlsbogård, Sweden

Jonathan Carlsbogård of Sweden. Photo: Jesper Zerman / BILDBYRÅN

Without a doubt one of the world’s best defenders, which Carlsbogård has been for several years now. Also often the best in the biggest matches, which he showed not least in the Olympic quarter-final against Denmark when he was the best player on the floor.

Ludovic Fabregas, France

Ludovic Fabregas of France. Photo: Johanna Lundberg / BILDBYRÅN

The pivot is an incredibly skilled defender and is often the one who leads the way when France’s feared defense gets the better of their opponents.

Magnus Saugstrup, Denmark

Magnus Saugstrup of Denmark. Photo: Emma Wallskog / BILDBYRÅN

Just like Fabregas, Saugstrup is a complete handball player. But the question is whether Saugstrup is not a bit sharper than the Frenchman when it comes to defensive play. Extremely skilled at playing both in a 6-0 and lifting as a center in a 5-1. And therefore a favorite player for coach Jacobsen.

Johannes Golla, Germany

240727 Julian Köster and Johannes Golla of Germany against Max Darj of Sweden in a men’s preliminary round handball match between Germany and Sweden during day 1 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 27, 2024 in Paris. Photo: Jon Olav Nesvold / BILDBYRÅN / COP 217 / JE0082

Do I have a preference for central defenders? Perhaps. Does Golla deserve a place on this list? Absolutely. Without him, the great leader of the German defense, Andreas Wolff would not have had the incredibly fine Olympics that he had.

Thiagus Petrus, Brazil

Felix Claar of Sweden and Thiagus Petrus of Brazil. Photo: Michael Erichsen / BILDBYRÅN

Shows season after season at FC Barcelona that he belongs to the top tier among the outstanding defense players in world handball. Almost complete as a defense player.