As the Women’s World Championship 2025 approaches, GoHandball gathered seven leading voices in handball and asked them seven defining questions. Their answers reveal the storylines, pressures, and potential breakthroughs that will shape this year’s tournament.
Let us first introduce the experts:
Per Johansson, head coach of Györi
Chris O’Reilly, host of the (Un)informed Handball Hour
Linnea Torstenson, former Swedish international player
Bent Svele, expert at Norwegian TV2
Ibolya Szekeres, Hungarian handball reporter
Björn Pazen, experienced German handball journalist
Styrmir Sigurðsson, handball expert from Iceland
1, Which team is your favourite to win gold and why?
Per: “Norway. They are the most complete team, have the best track record, and are the best-prepared physically.”
Chris: “It feels rude to not consider Norway favourites to win gold again. On the back of Olympic gold last year, many figured there would be a drop off in quality at EHF EURO 2024, but Norway made any doubters look foolish in their romp towards another title.
There is little to suggest that they have regressed, it’s up to the other teams to match their level. Thórir Hergeirsson is no longer coach, which may have an impact, but their new man at the helm Ole Gustav Gjekstad is a proven winner who knows his players and rival players inside out from his time with Vipers and Odense.”
Linnea: “It will be the usual suspects. Denmark have a new head coach and there’s a bit of a question mark regarding their goalkeepers, and on top of that Mie Højlund is out. They might get a spark from the new coach and they do have a deep squad. As for France, they’re very good at rotating players – their generational shift is basically constant. Norway is Norway, but France are the true favourites this time. They have two world-class line players in Bouktit and Foppa, and they have Sako in goal, who’s been on fire in Győri. And honestly, players just need to put on a French national team jersey and suddenly nothing gets past them.”
Bent: “Norway. Even though there’s a new national team coach in Ole Gustav Gjekstad and they’re missing key players like Kari Brattset Dale, Sanna Solberg-Isaksen, and Silje Solberg-Østhassel, Norway are still the clear favourites. Any team Henny Ella Reistad plays for is automatically a favourite to win gold.”
Ibolya: “Norway are my favourites to win gold because they have a strong setup. Several key players are back.”
Björn: “Norway are always the favourites, they have dominated women’s handball in the past decades. The new coach, Ole Gustav Gjekstad will on one hand continue in the line of Marit Breivik and Thorir Hergeirsson, on the other hand, he knows many players from the daily work. Having a pool of talents, Norway can always compensate losses due to injury or maternity leave – and finally the structure in the team and their “winners’ genes” and confidence make them such strong contenders.”
Styrmir: “Norway, even though they have a new coach the culture and DNA of winning is still within the team.”
2, Which teams do you expect to be the big surprises, and which ones might underperform?
Per: “I hope the Netherlands can finally reach a semifinal. I think Hungary may struggle to repeat their bronze from last time.”
Chris: “Japan put together some brilliant performances last time round, even beating Denmark in their own back yard. I see them having an outside chance of surprising the likes of Hungary and Romania and sneaking into a quarter-finals.
I think the second quarter of the competition, groups C & D heading into Main Round II could be the breeding ground for fallen powerhouses. The likes of Serbia, Montenegro and Spain don’t look like they’re replacing the quality of previous generations and we could see them all scrap with Iceland and Faroe Islands for second place behind Germany.
There’s also a slight danger of Sweden missing out on the quarter-finals, which would be considered underperforming, but I’ll hold my judgement until they face Brazil.”
Linnea: “Teams like Germany, Sweden, Hungary and the Netherlands can rightly say they’re capable of winning any match they play, but I think Germany look the most interesting. They’re young and they have physically big players who are on the rise. Disappointments? I have a soft spot for Balkan handball, but Croatia never really took off after that Euros medal a few years ago. And it’s the same with Serbia – you barely know which players will show up to a championship. So unfortunately I’d have to say they might be the disappointments this time.”
Bent: “Surprises: Netherlands: Teams playing at home can always surprise. They have Dione Housheer, who can truly shine. And also Hungary: It’s a young, talented team that finished third at last year’s Euros, and I think they will surprise again.
Underperformers: Sweden: I’m curious to see how they look now. They’ve spoken openly about wanting to win a medal, but I’m very unsure whether they can achieve that. Denmark: I’m also curious about Denmark. They’re missing some key figures, but their depth should still make them one of the medal contenders.”
Ibolya: “Romania could be a surprise, and Denmark are likely to underperform.”
Björn: “Unfortunately for global handball, there will be no non-European surprises, Brazil are the only candidate for the quarter-finals, but therefore they have to beat Sweden. Faroe Islands might make a huge step ahead, also the rejuvenated Spanish team. After winning bronze at the 2024 EURO, Hungary are no more a surprise. Germany had not made it to any semi-final since 2008 – and being the hosts, boosted by 11.000 in Dortmund might make their dreams come true in the quarter-finals.”
Styrmir: “Maybe not a big surprise but I think Netherlands will to well in this tournament and the home field advantage is never a bad thing to have. Serbia could be the disappointment.”
3, Which player has the best chance of winning the top scorer award?
Per: “Henny Reistad.”
Chris: “The nature of the tournament means the usual suspects of Klujber and Hagman will fill their boots. Besides them, I think Housheer will be a top contender but Henny Reistad can claim this if she’s in the mood.”
Linnea: “Henny Reistad. She can score from absolutely anywhere.”
Bent: “Henny Reistad, Katrin Klujber, Dione Housheer.”
Ibolya: “Henny Reistad and Katrin Klujber.”
Björn: “Henny Reistad has to be mentioned, but beside her maybe Bruna de Paula from Brazil.”
Styrmir: “Henny Reistad.”
4, What tactical trends or emerging playing styles do you think will have the biggest impact on the tournament?
Per: “I hope the trend continues where the team that defends the best wins. Aside from that, I don’t see any specific trends in women’s handball at the moment.”
Chris: “This will be the first major tournament we’re seeing since the change in the 0-step rule. We’ve seen some players take advantage of this already and I’m excited to see if non-European speed merchants such as Japan, Korea and Brazil have taken this on board, which could make their 1vs1 play even more dangerous.
I think the top three nations should all bring something new to the table at this championship. Norway due to a new coach, while France and Denmark simply have to adapt and evolve if they wish to close the gap. More versatile and aggressive defences may be on the way from both.”
Linnea: “There’s been a trend for a while that line players aren’t used as much anymore – there isn’t much screening. It’s more about moving the line player away so they’re four situations removed from the action. But soon defences will adapt to that, and then the attackers will have to adjust again.”
Bent: “In attack: 7 vs 6. Offensive defensive variations. For example, I believe more teams will focus on taking Henny Reistad out of the game as much as possible.”
Ibolya: “The 7-against-6 play, without a goalkeeper, and fast breaks.”
Björn: “Though many teams have put a huge importance on strong, movable line players, creating space for the back court axis, Germany try the opposite: playing with four back court players and without a line player (like some German Bundesliga men’s teams sometimes did this season), if you have enough shooting power from the back it can work, maybe other teams will try a offensive way of defending, like a good old 5-1.”
Styrmir: “Not sure if we see any new style but I think coaches will be more willing to use 7 vs 6.”
5, Which matches or matchups do you see as the most exciting or pivotal in the tournament?
Per: “On Germany’s side of the bracket, the path is cleared for either them or Sweden to advance alongside Norway. That side is, as usual, clearly the weaker one. On the Netherlands’ side, it’s extremely tough – also as usual. Federations with the most influence shape the draw even before all teams are confirmed. Denmark, France, Hungary, and the Netherlands will all be battling hard for the semifinal spots on that side.”
Chris: “Considering the paths to the quarter-finals, Japan vs Romania on 29 November feels massive, then their contests against Hungary in the main round.
France vs Netherlands in the main round may be the first time we see what these teams are made of before they enter the knockout rounds, likely date 8 December.
Sweden vs Brazil on 1 December will be massive, considering that Norway are waiting in the main round.”
Linnea: “I’ve had Helle Thomsen as a coach at different times, so I’m curious to see how Denmark bounce back after Jesper Jensen. It was a real success with him. And now Denmark also have Bojana Popovic as assistant, which raises the level. I heard that Trine Østergaard, who’s been around for a while, was actually starstruck by Bojana at the first training session.”
Bent: “Quarterfinals are always exciting at a championship – it’s the moment where you either play for medals or go home in disappointment.”
Ibolya: “I don’t have one.”
Björn: “Preliminary round: Brazil vs Sweden. Main round: Denmark vs Hungary, France vs Netherlands, and Norway vs Sweden – and then of course all those quarter-final constellations including Denmark, France and Hungary and Netherlands in the one half and Germany, Sweden, Norway, Brazil and Spain – the host seem to have a home advantage.
Styrmir: “It will be interesting to see if the host nations (Netherlands and Germany) will be able to feed from the support they will get in the stands. Also the Danish and Norwegian team entering the tournament with new coaches.”
6, Name one player to keep an eye on, and why?
Per: “Sarah Bouktit from France. Handball’s version of Nikola Jokić — incredible qualities in every phase of the game.”
Chris: “Viola Leuchter. She broke onto the international scene at the last world championship and this one could see her reach new levels. She is finding form at the right time of the season for Odense, proving to be a real weapon at both ends of the court. At just 21 and playing a home championship with Germany, the ingredients are perfect for her to shine.”
Linnea: “Pauletta Foppa – whether she’ll be able to go full speed after her injury issues this autumn. When Brest play, she’s basically their playmaker and solves everything in the build-up. And as an opponent, you can’t pass to the pivot late in a match because she’ll steal the ball. She’s such a damn match-winner.”
Bent: “Lena Grandveau of France. She’s had a brilliant season with Metz in the Champions League. It will be exciting to see if she can lead the French national team the way she has led Metz.”
Ibolya: “Ondono from France — the player who has developed the most in a short time among the line players.”
Björn: “Newcomers: Petra Simon (Hungary), Nina Engel (Germany), Mia Emmenegger (Switzerland), Jana Mittun (Faroe Islands) – they all play their first world championship, and they have already left their footprints on the 2024 EURO. And as always Angola bring some physical strong talents.”
Styrmir: “Nora Mørk. It will be interesting to see how she comes back on the field after giving birth to her first born.”
7, Name your top three players heading into the tournament?
Per: “Bruna de Paula, Henny Reistad, Dione Housheer.”
Chris: “Not for any ranking purposes, but if you want to have an entertaining viewing experience: Henny Reistad, Dione Housheer, Bruna de Paula.”
Linnea: “Reistad, Foppa and Nora Mørk. We don’t know how many more championships we’ll get to see Nora in, but we all know what she can do.”
Bent: “Henny Ella Reistad, Bruna de Paula, and Helena Elver.”
Ibolya: “Henny Reistad, Helena Elver, Johanna Bundsen.”
Björn: “Johanna Bundsen, Henny Reistad, Bruna de Paula.”
Styrmir: “The usual suspects, Hennry Reistad, Estavana Polman and Pauletta Foppa.”