+ So it went last time
Sweden reached the semifinals on home ground two years ago, but then it was over. Without an injured Jim Gottfridsson, there were losses both in the semifinal against France and in the bronze match against Spain. Denmark took the World Championship gold – the country's third in a row – after a final win over "Les Bleus" in Stockholm.
+ The gold favorite
Three gold medals in a row say it all – and Denmark will also bear the favorite tag. This summer, they won Olympic gold, on paper they have the strongest squad, and in the group stage, they also have the advantage of playing at home in "Boxen" in Herning. France should be seen as the main challenger, despite the medal miss at the Olympic Games on home ground.
+ Sweden's chances
The Olympic Games were a disappointment, where a weak group stage led to a meeting (and elimination) by Denmark already in the quarterfinals. Now, heavy injuries to Oscar Bergendahl, Max Darj, and – not least – Felix Claar make the situation even more uncertain. On a good day, there is the capacity to beat all teams, but it can also be eliminated before the quarterfinals – in that case, for the first time since the 2016 Olympic Games.
+ The outsider
World Championship silver in 2017 and 2019, European Championship bronze in 2020. These are Norway's only championship medals on the men's side. Now, the Norwegians, with the help of the home crowd in Oslo, will try to ensure that the medal drought does not last longer than five years.
+ How the World Championship is played
32 teams have been divided into eight groups that will be played in Denmark, Norway, and Croatia.
The three best teams from each group will advance to the intermediate round, which will be played in four groups of six teams (groups A and B form one group, plus C+D, E+F, and G+H).
From the intermediate round, the two best teams in each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
The knockout matches will be played in Zagreb (two quarterfinals, one semifinal) and Oslo (remaining matches, including the final).
+ The groups
Group A (Herning): Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Switzerland
Group B (Herning): Denmark, Italy, Algeria, Tunisia
Group C (Porec): France, Austria, Qatar, Kuwait
Group D (Varazdin): Hungary, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Guinea
Group E (Oslo): Norway, Portugal, Brazil, USA
Group F (Oslo): Sweden, Spain, Japan, Chile
Group G (Zagreb): Slovenia, Iceland, Cuba, Cape Verde
Group H (Zagreb): Egypt, Croatia, Argentina, Bahrain
+ The premiere
The World Championship begins on Tuesday evening: Italy-Tunisia and Denmark-Algeriet meet in group B, while France-Qatar and Austria-Kuwait play in group C.
+ Sweden's squad
Goalkeepers: Andreas Palicka, Tobias Thulin, Fabian Norsten.
Left wing: Hampus Wanne, Lucas Pellas.
Center back: Felix Möller, Andreas Nilsson.
Right wing: Niclas Ekberg, Sebastian Karlsson.
Left back: Jonathan Carlsbogård, Eric Johansson, Olle Forsell Schefvert.
Center back: Jim Gottfridsson, Jonathan Edvardsson.
Right back: Albin Lagergren, Lukas Sandell, Edwin Aspenbäck.
+ Sweden's matches
16 January: Japan (20.30 in Oslo).
18 January: Chile (20.30 in Oslo).
20 January: Spain (20.30 in Oslo).
The match dates for the intermediate round are 22, 24, and 26 January. After that, there may also be quarterfinals (29 January), semifinals (31 January), and bronze match/final (2 February). Sweden will play all matches in Oslo.
+ TV/radio
TV6, TV10, and Viaplay/Radiosporten.
