IHF Youth Beach Handball World Championship:
Iran to face Spain, Oman, Puerto Rico in group stage
Iran was drawn against Spain, Oman, and Puerto Rico in Group A of the IHF Men’s Youth (U17) Beach Handball World Championship – starting June 17 in Tunisia.
The draw for the third edition of the event took place in Hammamet, Tunisia, on Thursday, where 16 teams were divided into four groups.
A bronze medalist in the previous edition in 2022 in Greece, Iran booked a place in the showdown after defeating host Thailand to the Asian youth crown last October.
Spain will also be among the favorites in Tunisia, having won the title in the first edition in 2017 as well as the 2018 Youth Olympic gold, while Oman and Puerto Rico are among the nine debutants in the competition.
Elsewhere in the draw, African sides Tanzania and Kenya were pitted against fellow debutant Hungary, plus Germany in Group B.
The host country chose to be placed in Group C, where it will face Thailand, alongside debutants Mexico and the Oceania side, Cook Islands.
Tunisia chose to be placed in group C, where they will face Thailand, alongside debutants Mexico and the Oceania side, Cook Islands.
Brazil – runner-up in 2022 – is in Group D with fellow-South American sides Argentina – bronze winner in 2017 and the 2018 Youth Olympics – and Uruguay, plus Senegal.
Reigning champion Croatia failed to qualify for the finals.