Israel Under-21 Handball Team Nears World Championship Qualification After Win Over Poland

The Israeli under-21 handball team is on the verge of securing a spot in the 2027 World Championship in North Macedonia following a significant 39-31 victory over Poland. This win advanced Israel to the 9-16 placement matches in the European Championship, where they must now win at least one of the remaining three games to finish among the top 15 teams qualifying for the World Championship. Their next opponent is the Faroe Islands, a small nation of about 55,000 people that has rapidly become a strong contender in European and global handball, finishing 13th in the last European Championship and set to compete in the senior World Championship next year.

The upcoming match against the Faroe Islands is crucial, as a win will guarantee Israel a place in the 9-12 placement games and secure their World Championship qualification. Even if Israel loses twice, they still have a chance to qualify by winning the 15th place match. However, the team will face this challenge without Ariel Halervani, who was suspended for three additional games following a blue card received against Poland.

Coach Chen Pomerantz expressed satisfaction with the team's tactical performance and progress so far, highlighting the tactical discipline and the ability to execute their game plan effectively, especially in the recent victory over Poland. He acknowledged the increasing difficulty ahead as Israel faces top European teams but remains confident in the players' ability to rise to the challenge and achieve their goal.