Tunisia Gears Up for Exciting 2025 Youth Beach Handball Championships!

Hammamet, Tunisia - The excitement is palpable as Hammamet, Tunisia, gears up to welcome the 2025 IHF Men’s and Women’s Youth (U17) Beach Handball World Championships. Scheduled from June 17 to June 22, this prestigious tournament will gather young talents from around the globe. It’s set to be a whirlwind of athletic prowess and beach culture, bringing together 16 teams for both the men’s and women’s competitions in what promises to be an unforgettable week.

This year marks the championship’s return to Africa for the second time, following previous editions held in Mauritius in 2017 and Greece in 2022. The event was officially announced by the Tunisian Handball Federation on February 2, 2025, following an agreement signed by Karim Hellali, the federation’s president, and Hassan Moustafa, president of the International Handball Federation (IHF). This signing event took place at the Tunisian embassy in Norway, symbolizing a collaborative effort to bring this thrilling competition to North Africa.

Group Matchups and Competition Format

The tournament will feature diverse matchups as teams vie for glory. In the women’s competition, reigning champions Spain find themselves in group D alongside Croatia, Uruguay, and Bulgaria. Meanwhile, Thailand is battling it out in group A with France, Brazil, and Tanzania. Other formidable competitors include the Netherlands in group B with Germany, People’s Republic of China, and Kenya, and Tunisia in group C with Hungary, Mexico, and Senegal.

On the men’s side, Croatia, the previous year’s champions, unfortunately did not qualify this time. Brazil, who took silver in 2022, has a challenging group D with Argentina and Uruguay. A highlight is Senegal’s participation as one of nine debutant teams in the men’s competition. Group A consists of Iran, Spain, Oman, and Puerto Rico, while group B brings together Tanzania, Kenya, Hungary, and Germany. Tunisia’s group C features Thailand, Mexico, and the Cook Islands, making for an thrilling array of matches.

Matches kick off on the first day with the women playing at 15:00 and 17:40 local time, followed by the men at 15:50 and 18:30. Following an intense preliminary round that wraps up on June 18, teams will advance to the main rounds on June 19 and 20, leading to the knockout phase beginning June 21. The pinnacle of the event culminates in the medal matches scheduled for June 22, with the women’s final taking place at 17:00 and the men’s at 18:00.

A Growing Tradition

The past editions of this competition have vividly illustrated the rising status of beach handball on both the global and local sporting scenes. The Youth Beach Handball World Championship has been an anticipated event every two years since its inception in 2004, showcasing the incredible talent of young athletes. The format typically includes 16 teams for both genders, playing through a structured schedule designed to excitement and engagement, just as the upcoming event promises to do.

As beach handball continues to grow in popularity, Tunisia’s hosting of the 2025 championships stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to nurturing the sport. With teams from diverse backgrounds joining the fray, spectators can expect not just fierce competition, but a vibrant celebration of culture, youth, and athleticism.

For more details on the event, the full schedules, and the latest updates, check out IHF’s official announcement, or delve into more background at Univers News and Wikipedia.