The final group stage matches of the Men’s U21 World Championship have been played, and the main round is set. Here’s a breakdown of the four main round groups and what to expect as the road to the quarterfinals begins.
Main Round:
Group 1: Austria, Slovenia, Norway, Hungary
On paper, this is a tough group to predict. Austria enters with a key advantage — two points — after pulling off a surprise victory over Hungary in the opening match. Norway and Slovenia both bring one point each after a thrilling 33–33 draw in the group stage. While Norway boasts the strongest squad on paper and should be favored to advance to the quarterfinals, this group has the potential to unfold in any number of directions. Expect drama and tight margins.
Group 2: Sweden, Japan, Portugal, Croatia
Sweden and Portugal each carry two points into the main round and are well positioned to advance. If both teams take care of business against Croatia and Japan today, they’ll face off on Tuesday in a crucial clash to decide the group winner. Topping the group could prove essential, as it may determine a more favorable matchup in the quarterfinals — an incentive that raises the stakes significantly.
Group 3: Faroe Islands, Denmark, France, Romania
This group has a little of everything: two powerhouse teams in Denmark and France, the tournament’s standout player Oli Mittun leading a confident Faroe Islands squad, and Romania — responsible for the championship’s biggest upset after eliminating Iceland. Denmark holds two points and can practically secure a quarterfinal berth with a win over Romania. France, on the other hand, enters the main round without any points following a loss to Denmark and now faces a must-win situation against the Faroe Islands. Should the islanders win, they could clinch an unexpected semifinal spot.
Group 4: Germany, Egypt, Spain, Switzerland
Germany and Egypt enter with two points, while Switzerland faces an uphill battle and is unlikely to contend in this group. Spain’s match against Germany today will be decisive. A loss would eliminate the Spanish from the tournament, while a win would set the stage for a tense final group day with everything on the line.