Dear handball friends in Russia and all over the world, After having been organisers of the 2005 Women’s World Championship and the 2015 Men’s Youth World Championship it is now the third time for Russia to shine in the spotlight of international handball. This year, they welcome the world’s 24 best women’s junior teams to compete for the championship title. We will discover the rising stars of women’s handball and experience handball with all its passion and energy in a great atmosphere. This championship will bring handball in the focus of fans, sponsors and media and I hope that this competition is another great step for the development of handball not only in Russia, but all over the world.