The Australian Handball Federation [AHF] is pleased to announce Australia’s draw and schedule of games for the Men’s World Handball Championship 2009. Australia’s Preliminary Games, which will be played in Osjek, Croatia, as follows:
Date Opponent Team
17.01.09 Hungary/Bosnia Herzegovina *
18.01.09 Slovakia
19.01.09 France
21.01.09 Romania
22.01.09 Argentina
[* Pending legal process decision]
After participating in the Preliminary Round, Australia may advance to the main round in Zagreb, where the semi-finals and final will also be held. Otherwise, the Australian team will proceed to one of the venues for the President’s Cup competition of the tournament. The two locations for this part of the competition are Porec and Pula.
As part of Towards Croatia 2009 Program, training camps have been held in Europe and Australia since December 2007. Nine squad members play with European Division 1 Club teams with the remainder playing in Australia. Further camps are planned in Europe and Australia before the final team of sixteen is selected following a three-test match series between the Australian-based players and New Caledonia to be played in Noumea 7th-9th November 2008.
AHF wishes to thank Ligue de Hand Ball Nouvelle Caledonie for its assistance in the preparation of the men’s squad for their World Championship campaign, by arranging the three test match series in Noumea.
The Australian team will assemble in Europe in January 2009, two weeks before the World Championship for final preparation where the Europe-based and Australian-based players will have the opportunity to have intensive training together. The final training camp will be selected from locations being considered in Switzerland, Germany and Croatia. Funding through sponsorship, which would be welcomed, will help decide the choice of location as well as the program that can be offered by local organisations.
For further information, please contact the AHF Media & Public Relations Officer, Violi Calvert by email: [email protected]. or by phone: + 61 408 22 77 94.
