Women’s Handball World Cup: An overview of the quarter-finalists

As of: December 8th, 2025 12:33 p.m

The Women’s Handball World Cup is entering the knockout phase. Eight teams are fighting for a place in the semi-finals in Rotterdam.

All quarter-finalists have been determined: Germany, Brazil, Norway, Montenegro, Denmark, Netherlands, France and Hungary are fighting for their semi-final ticket. Two pairings have already been determined. The last main round game on Monday will decide who will meet.

Germany – Brazil

The DHB team is heading into the quarterfinals against Brazil with a lot of tailwind. Six (clear) wins from six games. “I can’t remember a time when we started a tournament like this”Emily Vogel summed it up. The DHB team is in flow. The team’s great strength: The defense around the defense specialists Xenia Smits and Aimée von Pereira with Katharina Filter as great support in the goal. So far, national coach Markus Gaugisch has been able to distribute the load well and work with the breadth of the squad. This will become an important factor, especially now towards the end of the tournament.

The Brazilians have, to some people’s surprise, qualified for the knockout rounds. In the preliminary round they won against the favored Swedes. The linchpin of the Brazilian game is Bruna de Paula, who plays for the Hungarian top club Györ. With Gabriela Moreschi in goal, the selection of South Americans should not be underestimated either in terms of play or combat, warns the DHB team. Even if the last main round game against Norway was clearly lost. “Brazil thrives on pure emotions and passion. They fight for each other, they go every meter harder for each other,” said Döll about their quarterfinal opponents. One person in particular knows that Brazil can achieve a lot with this attitude: 44-year-old Alexandra do Nascimento was already in the squad in 2013 when the Brazilians beat hosts Serbia in the World Cup final and won the association’s only World Cup title to date.

Norway – Montenegro

Three times Olympic gold, four times world champions, ten times European champions: Norway is the ultimate in women’s handball and is also the number one favorite for the title in this tournament. “When I see how Norway performed in this tournament, then woah… that’s very, very difficult. They have a lot of security. They grind through the games,” said DHB captain Antje Döll. The Scandinavians’ squad is full of stars: Above all, two-time world handball player Henny Reistad, goalkeeper Katrine Lunde and backcourt ace Nora Mork. So far, Norway hasn’t really been challenged in this tournament. Coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad’s team won every game with a difference of at least 13 goals.

The fact that the Montenegrins made it to the quarter-finals was thanks to a courageous victory against Serbia in the last main round game. Until then, Suzana Lazović’s team was having a difficult time. They lost to Spain in the preliminary round and clearly lost to Germany in the main round. In the quarter-finals it should be over against the overpowering Norwegians.

Denmark

The Danish team has been one of the most stable and strongest teams in handball for years: they have been on the podium at every major tournament since 2021. The pillars of Danish success are, in particular, backcourt player Anne Mette Hansen, left winger Amma Friis and goalkeeper Anna Kristensen, who was named MVP of the tournament at last year’s European Championships. With six wins from six games, they go into the knockout round with a clean slate, even if the Hungarians demanded a lot from them in the fight for group victory.

The Scandinavians’ opponents have not yet been determined. They either face France or the Netherlands.

Hungary

The integration of talented young players in recent years is slowly bearing fruit for the Hungarians. Coach Vlagyimir Golovin’s team is a promising mix of experienced and young, carefree players. The backcourt in particular will determine the Hungarians’ game: Katrin Klujber, Petra Vamós and the 21-year-old Petra Simon will probably have to bear most of the load. Particularly because three top performers are absent due to pregnancy.

France

Similar to Hungary, the Tricolor team will also have to do without top performers at this World Cup due to pregnancy and maternity leave. The French selection is likely to be particularly affected by the loss of captain Estelle Nze Minko. In addition, a new coach, Sebastian Gardillou, took office last year after Olivier Krumbhold led the team for eight years. The defending champions are still among the top candidates for the medals. The individual quality of the team is too great, especially playmaker Grace Zaadi, pivot Pauletta Foppa and backcourt player Tamara Horacek. Reached the final three times in the past four years. That wouldn’t be a surprise this year either.

Before the last main round game, France is level on points with co-hosts Netherlands. The winners of the duel will face Hungary, the runners-up in main round group I, and the losers will face the Danes.

Netherlands

Co-hosts Netherlands last had a gold medal hanging around their neck in 2019. Estevana Polmann and Lois Abbingh were there at the time and are also in the squad this year. The two 33-year-olds still play important roles at Oranje, but the focus is now particularly on 25-year-old Dione Housheer, who is currently the strongest player in the squad. The Netherlands also have – similar to Germany – the home advantage on their side. However, Swedish coach Henrik Signell’s team does not have to move and will play from the preliminary round to the possible final in Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena.