Media Release

Doha, Jun 30: While the handball world enjoys their well-earned summer break, the preparations for the 24th Men’s Handball World Championships are in full swing. Although there is still about one and a half year to go, the world’s best handball nations are already planning for their quest to qualify for Qatar 2015.

At the EHF executive meeting in Denmark on June 21, the modus for qualification for the 37 registered teams of the Continental Federation of Europe was decided.

Four fixed spots

Spain, after their stunning 35-19 final victory over Denmark at the 2013 World Championship last January in Spain, have already secured their place in Qatar as defending champions. Besides the title holders, twelve teams are still in the race for a spot at the premium event.

With the three teams finishing on the podium of EHF EURO 2014, the European Championships in Denmark, receiving a direct spot for Qatar as a reward, nine more places are to qualify for.

Qualification Europe Phase 1

In a first qualification phase, 20 teams will play in five groups of four teams each. The draw for these groups was carried out in Vienna on June 27.

Group 1           Group 2          Group 3            Group 4               Group 5
Lithuania         Slovakia          Slovenia            Netherlands         Portugal
Turkey            Romania          Ukraine             Israel                   Bosnia-Herzegovina
Georgia           Cyprus            Switzerland       Greece                Latvia
Finland            Italy                Luxembourg      Belgium               Estonia

The five group winners join 13 teams that are already lined up for the second qualification phase, the play-offs.
 

Qualification Europe Phase 2 – Play-Offs

These teams are the 12 remaining EHF EURO 2014 participants which come out of the pool of Austria, Belarus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Hungary, Iceland, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Russia, Serbia and Sweden.

The last team with a secured spot in the play-offs is Germany, by EHF Executive Committee decision as second best third ranked team from EHF EURO 2014 qualification phase 2.

The draw for the play-off pairings is likely to take place in Herning on the final day of EHF EURO 2014. The decisive duels for Qatar will then be played in June 2014.