Algeria – Preview
Coach: Achour Hasni
Road to Qualification: Fourth – 2014 African Men’s Junior Handball Championship
History in Tournament: 1977-1985: DNQ, 1987: 12th, 1989: 14th, 1991: DNQ, 1993: 13th, 1995-1999: DNQ, 2001: 12th, 2003: 18th, 2009: 20th, 2011: 14th, 2013: 24th
Overview
Consistently ranking in the top places at the African Championships, Algeria have qualified for most Junior World Championships since their first in 1987. It was in that edition that they recorded their best result to date, finishing 12th – a ranking they achieved again in 2001. In recent years Algeria’s performances have been dropping – at the 2014 Junior Men’s Handball World Championship they finished 24th.
Algeria qualified for this year’s championship in Brazil with their fourth-place finish at the African Men’s Junior Handball Championship in 2014. The team defeated DR Congo and lost to Angola in the group phase, which nevertheless was enough to qualify them for the semi-final. In the semi-final they suffered a loss against Tunisia, then recorded their second defeat of the tournament against Angola in the bronze medal play-off.
At Brazil 2015 Algeria will play Denmark, France, Argentina, Chile and Korea. Algeria are likely to be especially challenged by powerhouse nations France and Denmark. Denmark retain many squad members from their winning side at the 2013 Men’s Youth World Championship in Hungary and look to be one of the strongest sides in the competition.
Group at Brazil 2015:
Group C: Denmark, France, Argentina, Chile, Korea and Algeria
Games at Brazil 2015:
All times local
Monday 20 July: FRA-ALG (14:00)
Wednesday 22 July: ALG-ARG (20:45)
Thursday 23 July: DEN-ALG (20:45)
Saturday 25 July: ALG-CHI (20:00)
Sunday 26 July: KOR-ALG (16:15)