Norway loses
Surprise at the Handball World Cup
01/16/2025 – 12:24 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
In addition to Denmark, the other co-hosts are starting the 29th Handball World Cup differently. Norway in particular revealed unexpected weaknesses.
Mixed feelings among the co-hosts: After Denmark’s opening victory, Croatia and Norway experienced contrasting entries into the Handball World Cup in front of their home crowd. While the Croats led by Domagoj Duvnjak from Kiel celebrated a shooting festival over Bahrain in Zagreb with 36:22 (17:9), Norway revealed unexpected weaknesses against outsiders Brazil and surprisingly lost 26:29 (14:12).
On Tuesday, Denmark had already celebrated a clear victory over Algeria in Herning with 47:22. The 29th Handball World Championship will take place in three countries for the first time this year.
In Croatia, where Zagreb as well as Varazdin and Porec are being played, everything went according to plan for the hosts. First, Duvnjak was honored with a banner by the home fans; the 36-year-old is playing his last tournament for Croatia. Then his team easily pulled away against overwhelmed Bahrain and quickly led 10-3. After that, the 2003 world champion dominated at will. With a difference of 14 points, Croatia is level on points with leaders Egypt in Group H.
Norway also started dominantly with a 4-0 run. Brazil, which had lost twice to the DHB team shortly before the World Cup, fought its way into the game and ensured a closer duel than expected. Little by little, the South Americans worked out a good starting position for the final phase and showed strong nerves there. The favored Norway around Sander Sagosen fell short of their own expectations.
In the other game of the evening, Hungary and North Macedonia had an intense exchange of blows. Thanks to the frenetic support of the numerous North Macedonian fans who traveled with them, Kiril Lazarov’s team fought to a 27:27 (14:14).