CZE

This will be only the second IHF Women’s Youth (U18) World Championship for which the Czech Republic have qualified – 10 years to the date after they finished 13th in 2012. It will definitely be an important experience for the European side, as they can aim to progress to the main round with wins against Brazil and Uruguay.

However, their credentials will surely be tested against the South American sides as the Czech Republic progressed to North Macedonia 2022 after finishing 13th at the W17 EHF EURO 2021.

Last summer, the Czech Republic team lost their first five games, only to mount a surprising comeback and seal the win in the last two matches, 28:23 against Slovenia and 22:19 against Austria, basically delivering the berth for the IHF Women’s Youth World Championship on a plate.

The two training matches played before the start of North Macedonia 2022 proved to be problematic, however. Despite being at home, the Czech Republic simply did not have an answer to stop Egypt’s fast-paced attack, conceding two painful losses, 31:40 and 30:36.

“We believe that from both matches we will learn a lot to play against non-European teams. We created good chances, the challenge is to convert them in the future,” said coach Michal Cervenka after the two games.


Key players: Simona Schreibmeierova (left back), Veronika Gabrhelova (left back), Valentina Schullerova (centre back)

Qualification for North Macedonia 2022: W17 EHF EURO 2021 – 13th place 

History in tournament: 2012: 13th  

Group at North Macedonia 2022: Group G (Norway, Czech Republic, Brazil, Uruguay)