Croatia’s silver at the 2025 Men’s Handball World Championship shattered viewership records and sparked fresh hope for the women’s team to rise next.
With four silver medals in 1995, 2005, 2009 and 2025, the men’s handball team has a rich history.
However, while the men are yet to secure a win, this year the women are turning heads with strong performances, showcasing their talented players.
Following the conclusion of the global qualification events for the championship, The International Handball Federation (IHF) granted a formal wild card application to Croatia’s women’s team.
From November 26 to December 14, 2025, the world will unite for the 27th IHF Women’s Handball World Championship hosted in the Netherlands and Germany.
Competing under the banner “Hands Up For More,” 32 teams will battle for global glory across five cities; Rotterdam, ’s-Hertogenbosch, Dortmund, Stuttgart, and Trier.
Led by ex-handball player and head coach Ivica Obrvan, the competition marks Croatia’s ninth appearance in the IHF Women’s World Championship.
The nation’s best result to date was a sixth-place finish at the 1997 edition in Germany, and most recently placing 14th in the Denmark/Norway/Sweden competition in 2023.
However, Croatia’s recent performances are looking promising, after earning a spirited home victory over Spain, falling short on aggregate in the 2025 European Qualification Phase 2.
This result, while not enough to move forward, has reignited belief in the team’s potential on the international stage.
With powerhouse nations worldwide ready to compete, eyes are now on Croatia’s women to channel the spirit of their male counterparts and make history of their own.