How to watch – The knockout stage of the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship is set to deliver high drama as the quarter-finals begin in Poland. The tournament has reached a pivotal moment, with seven European teams and one African contender battling for a coveted place in the semi-finals.
Here’s your full guide on how to watch the matches, what to expect from each clash, and which teams are in the spotlight as we head into a thrilling Thursday of handball action.
Quarter-Final Schedule – Poland 2025
Venues: Sosnowiec & Katowice, Poland
Times: 18:30 and 21:00 (local time)
How to Watch: All matches will be streamed live on the IHF’s official platforms and regional broadcasters.
Quarter-Final Fixtures
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18:30 – Denmark vs Norway
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18:30 – Portugal vs Egypt
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21:00 – Germany vs Sweden
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21:00 – Slovenia vs Faroe Islands
Denmark vs Norway – Nordic Clash for Semi-Final Glory
Denmark enters this match with a perfect record in Poland 2025, boasting the tournament’s most prolific attack at over 40 goals per game. However, their defense has looked vulnerable, ranking only 13th overall in goals conceded.
Norway, also unbeaten, has relied on solid defense and the standout performance of goalkeeper Henik Ibsen, who holds a 37% save rate. With both teams deeply familiar with each other’s styles, this Nordic derby could be one of the tournament’s most intense matchups.
Portugal vs Egypt – A Tactical Showdown
Portugal heads into their quarter-final clash with Egypt as the statistical standout of the tournament. They have the best defense (22.6 goals conceded per match) and the second-best attack, averaging 37 goals per game. In their last match, they staged a stunning comeback to defeat Sweden 31–29.
Egypt, meanwhile, suffered their first loss against Germany but remains one of the most experienced sides, with a World Championship title in 1993 and multiple top-six finishes. This marks a rematch of three past quarter-final wins for Egypt against Portugal, adding even more intrigue to this clash.
Slovenia vs Faroe Islands – The Underdogs Face Off
For the first time, Slovenia and the Faroe Islands meet in a quarter-final—and both have something to prove. The Faroe Islands, led by tournament top scorer Oli Mittun (47 goals), continue their incredible rise after finishing sixth in 2023. Their aggressive 7-on-6 strategy and high-energy attack make them unpredictable.
Slovenia, on the other hand, is in top form, coming off a 37–31 win over Hungary. Seventeen-year-old Aljuš Anžič and goalkeeper Mark Šalamon are standout performers, and the team boasts the fourth-best defense in the tournament. A semi-final berth would be Slovenia’s first since 2007.
Germany vs Sweden – Battle of Europe’s Elite
Germany has looked sharp throughout the tournament, dropping only one point in a draw against Spain. Their win over Egypt showed just how well-rounded they are, ranking third in shooting efficiency at 72.7%.
Sweden, meanwhile, started strong with four straight wins but faltered in their final match against Portugal, blowing a five-goal halftime lead. Axel Månsson, their joint top scorer, remains a key weapon, and with an average of 36 goals per match, the Swedes have the firepower to challenge Germany in what could be a nail-biting encounter.
Classification Matches – Full Thursday Schedule
Besides the main quarter-finals, teams from across the rankings will compete for final placements.
Placement Matches 9–12
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09:30 – Austria vs France
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11:45 – Croatia vs Spain
Placement Matches 13–16
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14:00 – Hungary vs Romania
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16:15 – Japan vs Switzerland
Placement Matches 17–20
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14:00 – Poland vs Iceland
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16:15 – Algeria vs Serbia
Placement Matches 21–24
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09:30 – Argentina vs Morocco
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11:45 – South Korea vs Tunisia
Placement Matches 25–28
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16:15 – Brazil vs North Macedonia
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18:30 – USA vs Bahrain
Placement Matches 29–32
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11:45 – Uruguay vs Mexico
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14:00 – Canada vs Saudi Arabia
Where to Watch the IHF Men’s World Championship 2025
Fans around the world can stream all the quarter-final action live through the IHF’s official website and YouTube channel, with match commentary and statistics updated in real time. Make sure you check your local listings for possible regional broadcasts or highlights.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship is delivering on all fronts—unpredictable results, emerging young stars, and national rivalries reignited. As the quarter-finals get underway, fans of Denmark, Portugal, Egypt, Slovenia, and Sweden will be hoping their teams can go the distance.
Stay tuned with How to Watch for more updates, streaming links, and expert analysis throughout the final stages of Poland 2025.
