Trent Reinsmith
- What: 2023 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship
- Date: January 11-29, 2023
- Location: Poland and Sweden
The 28th edition of the International Handball Federation World Men’s Championship kicks off on January 11, 2023, when Poland faces France in the tournament’s opening game, which runs through January 29, 2023.
The tournament begins with 32 teams taking part in the event’s Group Stage. Eight groups of four teams — Group A through Group H — start the event, with two host countries in Poland and Sweden. Poland has four host cities for the 2023 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship — Katowice, Płock, Jönköping and Kristianstad. Meanwhile, Sweden’s host cities are Kraków, Gdańsk, Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg.
The top three sides in each group advance to the main round of the 2023 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship. The teams then play down to the final, which takes place at the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
The tournament is held every other year. Denmark is the reigning world champion, winning the event in 2019 and 2021.
Before we look at the best bets for the 2023 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship check out our sportsbooks guide to get started on making the best handball bets and while you’re at it, take a look at the best sports betting apps and mobile options.
2023 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship picks
| To Win 2023 Men's World Championhsip - Handball |  |  |  |
| Denmark | +250 | -110 | -110 |
| Spain | +350 | +400 | +400 |
| France | +400 | +300 | +300 |
| Sweden | +700 | +800 | +800 |
| Norway | +1400 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Croatia | +1600 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Germany | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Iceland | +2500 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Egypt | +3000 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Portugal | +3000 | +5000 | +5000 |
| Slovenia | +5000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Hungary | +8000 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Serbia | +8000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Poland | +10000 | +2500 | +2500 |
Denmark
The defending champions, Denmark play in Group H, where Belgium, Bahrain and Tunisia join them. Denmark won the World Championship in 2019 and 2021. In 2020, the team took the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, finishing in the runner-up spot to France.
In 2021, Denmark went undefeated during the tournament. Mikkel Hansen, a left back for Denmark was named the MVP of the event. He was also the MVP of the 2019 World Championship. Hansen has been named the IHF World Player of the Year a record-tying three times.
France
The 2019 bronze medalists in the World Championship, France, took home gold at the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo. The team finished a disappointing fourth place at the 2021 World Championship, losing to Sweden in the semi-finals before falling to Spain the third-place game.
France is in Group B along with Poland, Saudi Arabia and Slovenia.
Team France had one player named to the All-Star squad in 2021, that was pivot, Ludovic Fabregas.
Spain
Spain finished in third place at the 2021 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship. The team qualified for the 2023 World Championship after finishing as the runner-up to Sweden in the 2022 European Men’s Handball Championship.
That team was led by All-Star right wing Aleix Gomez, who was also a member of the Spanish team that won the bronze medal at the 2021 World Championship as well as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
At 25, Gomez will be a force for Team Spain for years to come.
Our pick
With the success the team from Denmark has had in recent World Championship tournaments, it’s hard to pick against them in 2023. Also, Denmark is going to play host for the 2025 IHF World Championships. Defending their title at home should provide some additional inspiration for the club in 2023.
Pick: Denmark to win the 2023 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship.
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