Europe vs. The Rest: The Struggle to Compete in Handball’s Elite


As the 2025 Handball World Championship progresses, Europe’s dominance over other continents has been resounding. The results from the first five days underscore this trend:
- Europe vs. Africa: 8 wins, 0 losses, goal difference +109
- Europe vs. Asia: 7 wins, 0 losses, goal difference +106
- Europe vs. Panamerica: 8 wins, 1 loss, goal difference +105
The lone exception in Europe’s near-perfect record was Brazil’s impressive 29:26 victory over Norway in Round 1. This landmark win is a testament to the rising potential of non-European teams and a reminder that upsets are still possible, even against handball’s elite.
PHOTO: Filip Viranovski
