Group E:
Three continents meet on Dutch home ground
When the 27th edition of the IHF Women’s World Championship kicks off on 29 November in Germany and the Netherlands, the Dutch team, world champions in 2019, will be aiming for a top-eight finish and, of course, hoping to fight for another medal. It’s been six years since their golden campaign in Japan, and the hunger for success remains as strong as ever.
Although several players from the 2019 title-winning squad have since retired, the Netherlands continue to be a force on the world stage. After finishing ninth at the 2021 World Championship in Spain and fifth at the 2023 edition in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the Dutch team once again enters the tournament among the favourites.
The team will play its Preliminary Round matches in Rotterdam Ahoy, where Group E features four nations: the Netherlands, Austria, Argentina, and Egypt .
Confidence from past encounters
The Netherlands hold a positive record against two of their three group opponents. Egypt will make their World Championship debut this year and have never faced the Dutch side in a major international tournament.
Henrik Signell’s team will open their campaign in Rotterdam against Argentina, a familiar opponent that the Netherlands have beaten on all four previous occasions. The first encounter came during the London 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament (30–21), followed by a convincing 26–18 win at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
In the past two years, the teams have met twice more, with the Dutch side recording comfortable victories both times. At the 2023 World Championship, the Netherlands won 41–26, and during the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualification Tournament they added another clear win, 34–22.
The two nations will meet again on 28 November at 20:30 in Rotterdam.
Favourites against Austria
The Netherlands also have a strong head-to-head record against Austria, winning five of six encounters. Their most recent clash came during the EHF EURO 2020 qualifiers, where the Dutch claimed a 32–24 victory. The only World Championship meeting between these two European sides dates back to 1986, when the Netherlands also came out on top (22–17). Austria’s only win against the Dutch dates back 27 years, at the 1998 EHF EURO (28–24).
The teams will meet again on 2 December at 20:30 in a packed Rotterdam Ahoy, with all Dutch matches already sold out.
The Netherlands will bring plenty of experience to the court with key players such as Estavana Polman (centre back) and Lois Abbingh (left back), MVP and top scorer of the 2019 World Championship. Other important names include Dione Housheer (right back), Angela Malestein (right wing) and Bo van Wetering (left wing).
This experienced core forms the foundation of a team that will cross paths in the main round with Group F, featuring France, Poland, Tunisia and China. Securing the top spot in Group E will be crucial, offering a strong position in the race for the quarter-finals.
Austria looking to repeat success
Austria will also aim to reach the main round, a stage they have achieved in the past two World Championships. On both occasions, they won two matches and finished 16th and 19th respectively.
The Austrian side has faced Argentina only once before, at the 2021 World Championship in Spain, when Argentina claimed a narrow 31–29 victory, partly due to COVID-19 disruptions in the Austrian squad.
This time, Austria will meet Argentina again on 30 November at 18:00 , with a stronger and more experienced lineup. In the backcourt, they rely on two powerful shooters: Katarina Pandža and Johanna Reichert.
The battle for a main round ticket
Argentina and Egypt are expected to challenge Austria for a spot in the main round. Argentina advanced past the group stage in the last two World Championships, finishing 21st and 20th.
In each of the past three editions, the South American team has recorded two victories, bringing their all-time total to 18 wins in 77 matches. Should they repeat that performance this year, they will reach the milestone of 20 World Championship wins, a proud achievement for Argentinian handball.
Egypt make their World Championship debut this year as the only non-European newcomer, alongside the Faroe Islands and Switzerland. The African side finished fourth at the 2024 CAHB African Women’s Championship, with defeats against Senegal, Angola, and Tunisia, all of whom will also feature at Germany/Netherlands 2025.
Be there!
Expect thrilling group-stage encounters at Rotterdam Ahoy, where teams from four nations will battle for a spot in the main round. Every match promises world-class action, intense competition, and unforgettable moments on court.
All group-stage matches featuring the Dutch team are already sold out, but tickets for other games are still available. Should the Netherlands reach the main round, Dutch supporters will have the opportunity to watch their team in action again on 4, 6, and 8 December.
Tip: A main round ticket gives you access to the entire session, which means you can enjoy three matches live with just one ticket. Three times the handball excitement in a single day!
Get your tickets now and experience unforgettable handball moments live!