For the Rio 2016 Women’s Handball tournament, 12 teams will battle it out for Olympic glory.

Five teams have already qualified – Brazil as host nation, plus Norway (EHF continental champions), Angola (CAHB continental champions), Argentina (PATHF continental runners-up behind Brazil) and Korea (AHF continental champions).

With just four matches left of Denmark 2015 – the final, bronze medal match, 5/6 and 7/8 play-offs – we look at the very latest standings for the Rio 2016 Women’s Olympic Games Qualification Tournaments which are set to take place from 18-20 March 2016.

The three tournaments, in venues set to be announced soon, consist of one group each featuring four teams with the top two qualifying for Rio 2016.

The Denmark 2015 Champions automatically qualify directly through to the Olympic Games - Rio 2016 and IHF Women’s World Championship - Germany 2017 with teams placing 2-7 at Denmark 2015 guaranteeing a qualification tournament place.

If NOR win Denmark 2015, as they have already qualified for Rio 2016, Spain will take their continental place as they were runners-up to Norway at EHF EURO 2014.

If NED win Denmark 2015, Sweden will take their place as the next highest ranking team from Europe at Denmark 2015.

If NOR are 2015 IHF Women’s World Championship winners:

Qualification Group 1
NED (2nd Place at Denmark 2015)
MNE or FRA (7th Place at Denmark 2015)
JPN (3rd Best Continent Place)
TUN (4th Best Continent Place)

Qualification Group 2
POL or ROU (3rd Place at Denmark 2015)
DEN or RUS (6th Place at Denmark 2015)
URU (2nd Best Continent Place)
MNE or FRA (Best Continental Place – in this case, 8th)

Qualification Group 3
POL or ROU (4th Place at Denmark 2015)
DEN or RUS (5th Place at Denmark 2015)
SWE (Best Continent Place – 9th at Denmark 2015)
MEX (2nd Best Continent Place)

If NED are 2015 IHF Women’s World Championship winners, the 2-7 positions and European places effectively move down one position thanks to NOR already qualified:

Qualification Group 1
POL or ROU (3rd Place at Denmark 2015 – moved from 2nd as NOR already qualified)
MNE or FRA (8th Place at Denmark 2015 – moved from 7th)
JPN (3rd Best Continent Place)
TUN (4th Best Continent Place)

Qualification Group 2
POL or ROU (4th Place at Denmark 2015 – moved from 3rd)
MNE or FRA (7th Place at Denmark 2015 – moved from 6th)
URU (2nd Best Continent Place)
SWE (Best Continental Place – in this case, 9th)

Qualification Group 3
DEN or RUS (5th Place at Denmark 2015 – moved from 4th)
DEN or RUS (6th Place at Denmark 2015 – moved from 5th)
ESP (Best Continent Place – Runners Up at EHF EURO)
MEX (2nd Best Continent Place)

2015 IHF Women's World Championship Ranking
1 NED or NOR
2 NED or NOR
3 POL or ROU
4 POL or ROU
5 RUS or DEN
6 RUS or DEN
7 FRA or MNE
8 FRA or MNE
9 SWE
10 BRA
11 HUN
12 ESP
13 GER
14 KOR
15 SRB
16 ANG
17 CHN
18 ARG
19 JPN
20 PUR
21 TUN
22 KAZ
23 CUB
24 COD

All information correct as of 0900hrs, Saturday 19 December 2015.