Time for final decisions. The match for third place between Spain and Sweden, and the grand final between the two absolute best teams of this tournament. France for the seventh time or Denmark for the third time? Who will be the world champion?

At the start, however, there will be clashes for 5th and 7th place in the table at the end of the fight. Egypt will face Hungary, while in the biggest losers match, Norway will face Germany. Interestingly, the seventh place game will be played at a non-standard time, like the fifth place game. The Egyptians can only improve on the result of 2019 and take 7th place, of which they will be the favorites. Is it a successful championship for Africans? Sure, breaking Croatia in the preliminary round has whetted the appetite for four, but there’s nothing to be picky about. For this nation, it is still the golden age of handball, although without medals. The Hungarians, in turn, showed in the clashes with Norway and Denmark that they definitely stand out from the top level of handball. You may wonder what would happen if Iceland made it to the quarter-finals and held off the Danes further. That’s probably the case, but that’s just a guess. The favorites in this clash are the Egyptians, but the Hungarians can of course create a surprise.

In the match for fifth place there will be real success. In the main round, the Norwegians beat the Germans 28:26, taking first place in the table. Here’s an interesting stat – if the Norwegians win the game for fifth place, they will be the first team in history to finish fifth without losing a game in 60 minutes. So far, they have only surrendered to the Spaniards in the quarter-finals, but after two extra times. The Germans seem hungry for minor successes, and for this budding side, a fifth-place finish in a major tournament a year before hosting the Euros on home soil would be a respectable result. An interesting game is brewing and it’s hard to pick a favorite in this game, but the Scandinavians look minimal.

Finally, the most important matches. There will also be a European classic in the bronze medal game. Spain versus Sweden. Considering the results between these teams in recent years, there is one favorite – La Roja. Of the last twelve meetings between these teams, 10 have been won by Spaniards and only two by Swedes. Note, however, that one of the victories of these two Swedes took place a year ago in Budapest during the final of Euro 2022, where Trzy Korony won 27:26. However, the absence of Jim Gottfridsson will not help Glenn Solberg’s team either. All the signs in the sky are pointing to the Spaniards, but the Swedes can get tense and show some character, as this is a fight for a medal, for another stint in handball history. 12 years ago, at the World Cup in Sweden, these two teams also met in the match for third place, after Sweden lost to France and Spain lost to France in the semi-finals. in Denmark (like today). It was then that the charges from the time of Valero Rivera were better, which defeated the Swedes 24:23. It will be another thrilling spectacle as neither of these teams will give up.

And finally, it’s time for the finale. Have any of us ever had such a thought in our head, such a concept that a given tournament would end in the most dreamed final ever? Of course, as Poles, we wanted to see our team there. Some also supported the Spaniards, others the Germans, Swedes, Norwegians or Croats. However, the completely underdog supporters who expect a real boom at the end of the tournament are certainly taken to heaven. Real star wars, war of the worlds. The Last Dance (at this tournament) performed by the best of the best. France vs Denmark – on the occasion of such a meeting, any analysis goes into the background. It’s just not predictable. The Danes have shown their power at the World Cup since 2019, as they have not lost a single match and have gone 27 matches without defeat in a row. The French, meanwhile, are six-time world champions, absolute leader in the all-time standings of this tournament. The Frenchman plays very well with the wheel, plays actions smoothly and calmly, Vincent Gérard has finally proven that he is able to help the team even in big matches. In addition, Hugo Descat or Benoit Kounkoud are not lacking on the wings. On the game, the burden of responsibility lies with both Nedim Remili and Kentin Mahe. Dika Mem comes from great individual actions and makes room for other creators, and as we know he has great long range throwing.

The Danes, on the other hand, are a machine, a monolith and a rock. Real handball predators – unscrupulous hunters. Each formation floats there like a piece of soap on a sheet of ice. There are no weak points, it’s a complete team with its leaders – Mikkel Hansen, Mattias Gidsel and Niklas Landin. It is on these three that will depend the most, but not everything. Rasmus Lauge, Jacob Holm and Simon Pytlick are all around the circuit, and Niklas Kirkelokke is back in form. The wings are going very well, the circle with Magnus Saugstrup or Simon Hald Jensen is busy, the goal is world-class and the playmaker is straight from Mordor. An ordinary opponent has no chance with such a train. The problem is that France is no ordinary opponent.

So it’s time for some real Star Wars, with only one of these great teams coming out with a shield. It’s time for the grand final of the 2023 World Cup!

Calendar:

time. 13 match for 5th place – Germany – Norway

time. 3:30 p.m. match for 7th place – Egypt – Hungary

time. 18 match for 3rd place – Spain – Sweden

time. 21 final – Denmark – France

photo by Rafal Oleksiewicz

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