UPDATE: The highly anticipated final of the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship is set to take place today at 17:30 local time in Rotterdam, where Norway will clash with Germany for the coveted title. This showdown comes after both teams achieved flawless records, each securing eight victories in as many matches.
Norway, the reigning Olympic and European champions, have dominated the tournament, winning their last eight games by an average margin of 15.75 goals. In stark contrast, Germany, without a medal in major competitions since 2007, aims to reclaim their former glory.
The excitement builds as Norway seeks to become the first team in 25 years to win the championship with an undefeated record. They previously achieved this feat twice, with Russia in 2001 and 2005, and France last year in 2023. However, no team has displayed dominance quite like Norway this year, outscoring their opponents significantly, including a recent 35:25 demolition of the Netherlands in the semifinals.
“It means a lot to us to be in another final. We’re here to stay on top, and as long as the team is performing this well, I won’t stop,” said Nora Merk, Norway’s right back.
Norway’s record in international handball is astounding, with 27 medals in the past 27 years, including three Olympic, four World, and a record ten European titles. If they triumph over Germany today, they will secure a fifth world title, surpassing Russia’s record of four.
Germany enters the final as the underdog, having last reached this stage in 1993, when they claimed their only world championship. Captain Antje Del expressed confidence in her team’s abilities, stating, “I love the role of the underdog. We’ve made a huge surprise, and in this sport, the better team is often the one with greater team spirit and psychological readiness.”
“We are so prepared that we probably don’t even need warm-up before the match with Norway,” Del added.
As co-hosts of the championship, Germany aims not only for a medal but also to promote women’s handball in the country, where men’s matches often attract full arenas. “I am truly proud. We started a campaign and knew we needed some success to fill it with heart, life, and love. We’ve succeeded in that, but the job isn’t finished yet. The final step remains,” Del emphasized.
Fans around the world are eagerly awaiting this decisive match, with Norway being the favorites based on their impressive performance throughout the tournament. However, Germany’s unexpected journey to the final adds an extra layer of excitement, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling contest.
Stay tuned for the outcome of this monumental clash as Norway and Germany battle for handball supremacy!
