2023 Handball World Championship in Poland and Sweden: Power rankings and predictions
To get you excited about the tournament as well as informed, Flashscore.com presents our current world power rankings before the tournament gets underway.
1. Denmark
"There are many repeat offenders from the last three championships, and there's a good reason for that because it went really well," commented Denmark coach Nicolai Jacobsen shortly before Christmas on his squad for the 2023 World Championship in Poland and Sweden.
After two World Championship titles in a row, Danish handball is truly booming. In 2016 they also won Olympic gold and it is only the European Championship that has eluded them for a while (last won in 2012).
Individually, the defending champion stands out from all the other teams, and can even afford to leave top stars such as Henrik Toft Hansen (36) (Paris St Germain) and brother Rene Toft Hansen (38) (Bjerringbro/Silkeborg), as well as backcourt players Lasse Andersson (28) (Fuchse Berlin) and Aaron Mensing (25) (Flensburg-Handewitt) at home.
With so much quality, it's almost impossible to know who to single out. While veteran Mikkel Hansen (35) is still the focus of much press attention, Mathias Gidsel (23) has become the team's star.
Gidsel was Tokyo 2020 MVP despite Denmark losing to France in the final. He was also named to the All-Star team at last year's European Championship. At the 2021 World Cup, he was the rising star of the tournament and played a key role in the Danes' successful title defence.
Gidsel now feels visibly at home in Berlin and has made a significant contribution to Fuchse's current great season. Last month he signed a contract extension until 2028.
Another key figure in recent tournaments has been Kiel keeper and current world handball player Niklas Landin (34).
Flashscore prediction: Thanks to their individual quality, experience, and the outstanding Gidsel, we are sure that if you want to win the World Cup title in 2023, you'll have to beat Denmark along the way.
2. Sweden
Playmaker Jim Gottfridsson (30) was the driving force behind Sweden's Euro triumph last year and was named the tournament's MVP for the second time since 2018.
At the last World Championships, the Flensburg-H player was also named to the all-star team, where Sweden won the silver medal.
The current team is undoubtedly the best Swedish generation since the Bengan Boys, who terrorised defences in the 1990s and won the World Cup in 1990 and 1999.
Since then, the national team has been searching to repeat the legacy of that legendary team for a long time. After their European triumph in 2022, they want to get back on the throne of the World Championship and a lot will depend on Gottfridsson's genius.
At 1.92 m and 93 kg, he is an imposing presence on the parquet floor. Other pillars of the team are the keeper Andreas Palicka (36) from PSG and Mikael Appelgren (33) from Rhein Neckar Lowen, as well as winger Hampus Wanne (29) (Barcelona) and veteran Niclas Ekberg (34) (Kiel).
Coach Glenn Solberg is sending a total of nine players from the Bundesliga and 17 European Champions on this mission: "Our goal is always to improve, and even though we won European Championship gold in January, we still have to improve to come back to be able to play for the medals."
Flashscore prediction: The Swedish team is full of world stars. After winning the European Championship they also have a certain self-confidence and many players are at the peak of their careers. The preliminary and main round groups shouldn't be a problem for the Swedes. We expect them to reach the quarter-finals as group leaders and see Sweden as the main challenger for the Danes. Anything would be possible in a Scandinavian final duel, Sweden definitely has what it takes to become world champions this year.
3. France
The French also travel, almost traditionally, with a number of stars. The three-time Olympic champion Karabatic would like to say a proper goodbye at what might be his last World Championships. Dika Mem (25), however, is the one expected to lead the Equipe Tricolores to their first World Cup gold since 2017.
The right backcourt player from Barcelona has developed into a top performer with the Spanish champions in recent years and led the team to their second triumph in the Champions League last June.
With his lightning-fast speed and powerful throw, Mem is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining players in the world of handball right now.
In addition to Mem, France also has a second, highly talented player in the right-back position in Nedim Remili (27) from Kielce. Another showpiece of the Olympic champions is, as usual, the rock-solid defence of Luka Karabatic (34) and Ludovic Fabregas (26).
Flashscore prediction: Thanks to a difficult defence, experience and a winning mentality, it will also be difficult to beat the French national team in Poland and Sweden. If other teams falter, you can be sure that France will be there at the end. However, Les Bleus have repeatedly had bad days in crucial games in recent years. We're assuming at least a place in the quarter-finals. Anything is possible for this team from elimination at that stage to a gold medal.
4. Spain
Consistency is the reason why Spain is a favourite at every handball tournament it takes part in - including this upcoming World Championship. The Spaniards have particularly strong statistics at the past European Championships: two golds, two silvers, and one bronze in the last five tournaments. Their last World Cup title, on the other hand, dates back to 2013, and in 2021 after several disappointing tournaments, they were third again.
Jordi Ribera has been coaching Spain since 2016 and only recently extended his contract until the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Now he is forced to initiate a generational change, as ageing stars such as Raul Entrerrios, Viran Morros, Daniel Sarmiento and Julen Aguinagalde have now retired.
Accordingly, the Spaniards have some new faces with them, who are to be introduced and built around the core structure of top goalkeeper Gonzalo Perez de Vargas (31) and Kielce star Alex Dujshebaev (30).
Flashscore prediction: If it were purely about the names in the squad, Spain would certainly not be at the top. But the Iberians have proven in recent years that tactical discipline and experience can go a long way. In Group A, Ribera's team should have no problems against Montenegro, Chile and Iran. France, hosts Poland, and Slovenia are expected to await them in the main round. We see Spain at least in the quarterfinals stage. It is less clear whether they will have enough to make a greater splash, though.
5. Croatia
The unfulfilled generation centred around Domagoj Duvnjak (34) finally wants their long-awaited first world title since 2003. Croatia have often come close but, in the end, it was never enough for gold.
The current team is perhaps the weakest Croatian side in over two decades. This is also due to the fact that important top performers like Tin Lucin (23) from Wisla Plock, Halil Jaganjac (24) from Fuchse Berlin, as well as Domagoj Pavlovic (29) and David Mandic (25) (both of MT Melsungen), are all missing.
The results of the last few years also show a downward trend, with the historic low at the 2021 World Cup in Egypt, where they finished only 15th. Coach Hrvoje Horvat, who recently took over HSG Wetzlar, is often criticized at home - also because of questionable squad nominations.
Nevertheless, the team from the Balkans should never be written off. With Duvnjak, Luka Cindric (29) (FC Barcelona) and Igor Karacic (34) (Kielce), they probably have the best playmaker trio of the tournament. Thanks to Ivan Martinovic (25) (Melsungen) and Josip Sarac (24) (Goppingen) they will also be able to create danger from the half positions in the backcourt, too.
Flashscore prediction: As usual, Croatia will rely less on tactics and more on individual class. They have a lot of that, especially in the backcourt. Egypt, Morocco and the USA would not normally pose a threat to the two-time Olympic champion in the preliminary round. In the main round group, Denmark will be the clear favourite for the quarter-finals. Perhaps the Croatians will benefit from the fact that they are not among the absolute main favourites this time around as in the past they have often failed due to their own nerves and pressure. On a good day, Croatia can beat any team. We see the 2013 world champion at least making the semifinals.
6. Norway
Norway will start the 2023 World Cup without Bjarte Myrhol (40) and Magnus Jondal (34) and with a new coach. But the hopes of Jonas Wille, who inherits the long-standing success of coach Christian Berge, will, as usual, mainly rest on the shoulders of one player: top star Sander Sagosen (27).
Kiel's playmaker was injured until the end of November and has tried to get the necessary game rhythm under his belt in the Bundesliga. He's started to show what he is capable of in the recent rounds.
Around 5.4 million Norwegians are now hoping that their star will be in top form in time. The Norwegian game is extremely dependent on him. Other well-known faces in the squad are Goran Sogard Johannessen (28), Magnus Rod (25) (both Flensburg-H), Christian O'Sullivan (28) (SC Magdeburg). Harald Reinkind (30) (Kiel) and Kent Robin Tonnesen (31) (Pick Szeged).
The Scandinavians still have high ambitions: "We still dream of winning gold," Wille announced before the World Cup. In 2017 and 2019 Norway lost in the final.
Flashscore prediction: Norway's game stands or falls with Sagosen. If the Kiel playmaker is in good form, Norway could play for medals in Poland and Sweden again. In the group stage, they will meet North Macedonia, the Netherlands and Argentina. In the main round, the Scandinavians cross with the supposedly weaker German group. The quarterfinals should be a minimum requirement for this side.
7. Iceland
If you take a look at the outcome of the 2021 IHF Men's World Championship, you wouldn't necessarily expect Iceland to be on this list. 20th place was the worst finish Iceland has ever achieved at a World Championship.
Iceland's head coach Gudmundur Gudmundsson stressed at the time that his side were going through a generational change. And he was right. Just one year later, his team sensationally beat France 29:21 in the main round at the 2022 European Championship and ended up in an excellent sixth place.
With Omar Ingi Magnusson (25), who has established himself as a top performer in the right backcourt at Magdeburg, as well as left wing Bjarki Mar Eliasson (32) from Veszprem and Aron Palmarsson (32) from Aalborg, the Icelanders have three good offensive weapons in their arsenal available.
Viktor Hallgrimsson (22) will also be a man to watch in goal. Hallgrimsson got fit in time for the tournament, and he made it into the all-star team at last year's European Championships.
Flashscore prediction: With Portugal, Hungary and South Korea, Iceland has caught a very difficult preliminary round group. "Before we talk about whether we're a medal contender, we have to get through this group first," Gudmundsson stated. If they can use thier concentrated offensive power in a targeted manner and hold ground against their competitors in the preliminary round with a good number of points, qualification for the quarter-finals is likely. In the main round, they could meet Sweden and Brazil. Gudmundsson's team has a good mix of young and old and has also gained experience from the 2022 Euros. We're assuming qualification for the quarter-finals, maybe even making it into the top four this time.
8. Poland
Polish handball last attracted international attention about seven years ago when the national team won the bronze medal at the 2015 World Cup in Qatar, and a year later, at the Olympics in Rio, they came fourth.
Since then, the nation that is so enthusiastic about handball has sunk into the middle ground of the international field. The team even had to watch Euro 2018 and the 2019 World Cup from in front of the television. Most recently, Poland ended up in 12th place at Euro 2022 - far too little for the demands of the country's fans.
In 2023 everything should be different. In addition to the four Bundesliga stars Piotr Chrapkowski (34) (Magdeburg), Adam Morawski (28) (goalkeeper, MT Melsungen), Maciej Gebala (28) (Leipzig) and Bartlomiej Bis (25) (Coburg 2000), they build upon the basic framework of the top domestic teams Industria Kielce (5 players) and Wisla Plock (4).
In addition to France, they will also meet the tricky Slovenians and Saudi Arabia in the preliminary round, so the pressure from the local press will be present from the first moment.
"We have one of the three most difficult groups here, but we will do our best and try to make a good one to achieve a result", coach Patryk Rombel said in the run-up to the tournament.
Flashscore prediction: Poland is nominally not a medal favourite. However, home advantage in handball can play a very important role. In the main round, however, they might have to compete against France and Spain. We are therefore predicting a third-place finish in the main round group.
9. Germany
After a win in a friendly against Iceland just days before the start of the tournament, optimism has started to seep into the German camp.
In particular, playmaker Juri Knorr (22) has shown himself to be in top form during the World Cup preparations. Coach Alfred Gislason also has experience to call on in the form of Andreas Wolff (31) (Kielce), Patrick Groetzki (33) (Rhein-Neckar), Kai Hafner (33) (Melsungen) and Paul Drux (27) (Fuchse Berlin).
Germany has been waiting for a medal at a World Cup since 2007 and, in 2021, they fell out in the main round.
Flashscore prediction: The German team does not have to hide at this World Cup. Should they be able to take the points necessary in the preliminary group round, a feasible task awaits them in the main round with Norway, North Macedonia, the Netherlands and Argentina. The team definitely has the potential to get into some form as the tournament progresses, excel in knockout matches against the favourites and, with a little luck, even play for a medal as well.
10. Hungary
The big unknown of the tournament is the host of Euro 2022, Hungary. After recording 15th place in that disappointing home tournament, the Hungarians have changed their coach.
The former playmaker Chema Rodriguez is now on the sidelines - and has big plans. The Spaniard spent part of his playing career at Veszprem, having guided Benfica to victory in the EHF European League last year, winning the final against Magdeburg.
Hungary were one of the surprises of the tournament at the 2021 World Cup, almost beating France in the quarter-finals but falling just short after extra time.
Rodriguez is building on a mix of experience and freshness. Veteran Roland Mikler (38) is in the squad, as are defensive artists Adrian Sipos (32) and Patrik Ligetvari (26). Those experienced warriors are to be supplemented by the youngsters Bence Banhidi (27) (Szeged) and the backcourt shooting star Dominik Mathe (23) from PSG.
Flashscore prediction: The Hungarians have a very interesting team and one of the most innovative coaches in the sport. Match days two and three of the preliminary round will be decisive for them. If they start the tournament well and take at least two points into the main round, they could reach the quarter-finals again and then maybe even go further.
Follow all the action from the 2023 Handball World Championship on Flashscore.