Trent Reinsmith
- What: 2023 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship
- Date: January 11-29, 2023
- Location: Poland and Sweden
The 2023 International Handball Federation World Men’s Championship begins on January 11, 2023, when Poland faces France in the tournament’s opening game. This year marks the 28th time the IHF has held the World Men’s Handball Championship event.
Thirty-two teams participate in the 2023 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship Group Stage. Poland and Sweden are the host countries of the tournament. Poland has four host cities — Katowice, Płock, Jönköping and Kristianstad. Meanwhile, Sweden’s host cities are Kraków, Gdańsk, Stockholm, Malmö and Gothenburg.
Following the Group Stage, 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 on January 29, 2023.
Denmark has won the event twice, capturing the IHF World Men’s Championship the last two years the event was held, 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
Below you’ll find the odds for the upcoming tournament:
Denmark
The two-time — and defending — IHF World Champion team from Denmark is in Group H along with Belgium, Bahrain and Tunisia.
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.
Denmark also has Mathias Gidsel, who was named an All-Star right back at the 2021 World Championship and goalkeeper Niklas Landin, who was the IHF World Player of the Year in 2019 and 2021.
France
France, who has won the IHF World Championship six times, took home the bronze medal in 2019 but did not medal in 2021. The team’s most recent title came in 2015. France has been a strong team since 2001, winning the title in 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015 and 2017. France joins Poland, Saudi Arabia and Slovenia in Group B in 2023.
Team France had one player named to the All-Star squad in 2021, that was pivot, Ludovic Fabregas, who at 26 years of age, was also an All-Star at the 2020 Olympic Games, where France took home the gold medal, beating Denmark 25-23.
Spain
Spain is looking for its third IHF World Championship in 2023. The team has top finishes in 2005 and 2013. Spain finished in the third spot in 2021, which is the same place they took at the 2020 Olympics. Team Spain is in Group A along with Montenegro, Chile and Iran.
Spain has Aleix Gómez as one of its top players. The 25-year-old was named an All-Star right wing at the 2020 Olympics as well as the 2021 World Championships. While playing for Barcelona during the 2021-22 EHF Champions League season, the 25-year-old led the league in goals with 104.
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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