Women’s World Championship 2025: France, Norway and two hosts in the medal battles

Posted on 11. December 2025.

Denmark, Hungary, and Montenegro couldn’t spring a surprise in the quarterfinal night, as France, the Netherlands, Norway, and Germany all delivered confident performances to book their next-step ambitions. France looked mature and efficient against Denmark, the Dutch controlled the pace versus Hungary, Norway’s second-half authority was decisive against Montenegro, while Germany kept Brazil at arm’s length in front of home fans.

Norway will face Netherlands, while German team will face France for the final.

Denmark – France 26:31 (12:17)

Denmark: Kristensen (6 saves), Milling; Elver 1, Hansen 1, Haugsted, Bardrum-Larsen 2, Aagot Hansen, Jörgensen 11/6, Östergaard 2, Borg, Friis 2, Andersen, Paulsen, Halilcevic 4, Möller 3, Scaglione.

France: André, Sako (12 saves), Nocandy 2, Toublanc 3/2, Mairot 6, Dury, Sajka, Kanor, Horacek 4, Foppa 2, Granier 3, Ondono, Bouktit 8/1, Grandveau 1, Karamoko, Wajoka 2.

Netherlands – Hungary 28:23 (14:9)

Netherlands: ten Holte (15 saves), Duijndam; van Maurik, Abbingh, Nüsser 3, van Wetering 5, van der Helm, Dulfer 3, Freriks, Sprengers, Maarschalkerweerd 1, Malestein 4/3, Vollebregt 1, van der Vliet 3, Housheer 8, Polman.

Hungary: Szemerey (8/1 saves), Janurik (6/1 saves); Tóvizi 1, Csíkos 3, Hársfalvi 1, Faragó, Albek 3, Falusi-Udvardi 1, Kovács 2, Márton 2, Papp, Vámos 3, Klujber 3/2, Bordás, Kuczora 1, Simon 3.

NORWAY – MONTENEGRO 32:23 (19:11)

Norway: Lunde (4 saves), Rosok (4 saves), Kristijansen 1, Ordal 3, Skogrand 3, L. Røsholt-Deila, Mørk 4, Aune 1, Brejstol 2, Ingstad 1, Henriksen, Bakerud, Reistad 8, Hovden 3, T. Røsholt-Deila 3, Wolik 2.

Montenegro: Atingre (7 saves), M. Marsenić (3 saves), A. Marsenić, Mitrović, Jauković 8, Pletikosić 3, Godeč, Trivić 3, Džaferović, Vukčević 4, Božović, Brnović 2, Bulatović, Tatar, Pavićević, Grbić 2.

Germany also didn’t allow an upset in front of their home fans.

Germany – Brazil 30:23 (17:11)

Germany: Filter (14 saves), Wachter; Grijseels 1, Engel 4, Antl 3, Smits, Steffen, Kühne, Vogel 5, Lott 3, Maidhof, Döll 6/4, Behrend 3, Hauf, von Pereira 1, Leuchter 4.

Brazil: Moreschi, Lais de Arruda (10 saves); de Paula 6, Nascimento Martinez 1, Fernandes, Nascimento Felix, Quintino 3, de Souza Menezes 1, Araujo 2, Guarieiro 2, Rodrigues, Bitolo 3/1, Souza, Santos Arounian 1, dos Santos 1, Rosa 3.