The 2018 IHF Women’s Junior (U20) World Championship will take place in the city of Debrecen, Hungary from July 1 to 14. Preparations for the event are well underway, the first venue inspections have been completed and 10 nations are already qualified – while 14 places remain to be decided.

 

Republic of Korea, People’s Republic of China and Japan all secured their Hungary 2018 berths at the 2017 Asian Women’s Junior Championship. At the tournament in Hong Kong in July, Republic of Korea claimed the title ahead of P.R. of China, while Japan ranked third in the round-robin playing system. The African Women’s Junior Championship took place in August 2017, with Angola claiming a record ninth trophy, Egypt finishing second and Ivory Coast taking the bronze medal – also in a round-robin competition.

 

From Europe, Russia booked their place two years ago in Bratislava when they won the 2015 Women’s Youth World Championship, while Hungary were the first nation confirmed, as hosts of the event. France and Denmark secured their tickets to Hungary as the two top-ranked sides at the 2017 Women’s U19 EHF EURO last August. France won the title and Denmark finished third behind Russia, but as Russia were already qualified, the place went to Denmark.

 

The remaining places for the Junior World Championship will be decided by the end of March. The three places for Pan American will be determined at the continental championship, while 26 teams from across Europe will contest the last 11 berths from March 23 to 25. As Oceania withdrew, an extra place was awarded to Europe.

 

At the 2017 Women’s Junior World Championship, matches will be played in Fonix Hall and Hodos Hall, which have spectator capacities of 6,500 and 1,500, respectively. Chairman of the Commission of Organising and Competitions Per Bertelsen and venue manager Marek Goralczyk completed preliminary inspections on site, with more to come before the competition begins in July.