Welcome to the Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Recife! Two years after the triumph of Brazil in Oman, the defending champions are the favourites for the title. However, they are not alone, as in total 24 teams (12 each for men’s and women’s tournaments) will take part in the championships, which are hosted by Brazil for the second time after 2006 in Rio de Janeiro.

 

In Oman, six years later, the final result was the same as in Rio – Brazil won the trophies in both tournaments. In 2014, however, there are some other teams on the way to success. Norway, Denmark and Hungary have strong teams to compete in the women’s tournament, whereas Croatia, Russia and Egypt are strong opponents in the men’s tournament.

 

The rules of the VI Men's and Women's Beach Handball World Championships are the same as the years before. The tournaments will start with the preliminary round played in two groups. The best three teams of each group qualify for the main round, while the other teams play a consolation round.

 

The best teams of the main round advance to the semi-finals, and the matches no. 111 and 112 are the finals.

 

Last but not least: The location of the competition is wonderful: 1.5 million inhabitants live in the city of Recife on the Atlantic coast where the athletes, coaches, officials and fans will be welcomed only one week after the end of the Football World Cup. The beach handball arena is located downtown on the Boa Viagem Beach, the most beautiful beach in the city.