Saudi Arabia lose to Slovenia in 2023 World Men’s Handball Championship opener

The Saudi handball team on Thursday night lost 33-19 to Slovenia in its opening match of the 2023 World Men’s Championship at the Spodek Arena in the Polish city of Katowice.

The defeat came in Saudi Arabia’s 10th appearance at the tournament, having failed to reach the previous two events in 2019 and 2021, and despite the loss, they will still have hopes of improving on their best-ever finish of 19th place, achieved in 2003 and 2013.

The 32-team competition is organized by the International Handball Federation and is co-hosted by Sweden and Poland from Jan 11-29.

The Green Falcons will face six-time champions France on Saturday, Jan. 14, before completing their Group B fixtures against Poland on Monday, Jan. 16.

Slovenia lead the group with two points, on goal difference from France, who beat Poland 26-24 on Wednesday.

The top three teams from each of the eight groups will progress to the next round of the competition, which will be played across four groups of six.

The semifinals will take place on Jan. 27, and the final on Jan. 29.