2009 World Men's Handball Championship


The 2009 World Men's Handball Championship took place in Croatia from 16 January to 1 February, in the cities of Split, Zadar, Osijek, Varaždin, Poreč, Zagreb and Pula. Croatia was selected from a group of four potential hosts which included the Czech Republic, Greece and Romania.
The opening game and ceremony were held in Split, and the final game was played in Zagreb. France won the tournament after defeating Croatia in the final. Poland took the third place after winning over Denmark. Tickets for the tournament went on sale from 15 to 20 November. For the finals, ticket prices started at 700 kuna. To promote the tournament, the Croatian National Tourist Board launched a series of presentations in the capitals of 13 participating countries.
During the championship internal criticism arose against Hassan Moustafa, President of the IHF. The secretary general of the IHF, Peter Mühlematter, criticized Moustafa and asked for his demission. Moustafa asked to exclude Mühlematter after his criticism.

Venues

Seven Croatian cities were selected as hosts for the 2009 Championship: Split, Zadar, Osijek, Varaždin, Poreč, Zagreb and Pula. The sites included the new Spaladium Arena in Split and Arena Zagreb, where the final took place.

Qualification

Qualification occurred through the previous years' continental championships or qualifying tournaments:

Seeding

The draw for the groups of the preliminary round was held on 21 June 2008, in Zagreb. The draw took place at Zagreb's central Ban Jelačić Square and was hosted by Filip Brkić and Kristina Krepela.
Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4Pot 5Pot 6

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Preliminary round

In the following tables:
The teams placed first, second and third qualified to the main round.

Group A

Venue: Gradski vrt Hall, Osijek
All times are Central European Time
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Group B

Venue: Spaladium Arena, Split
All times are Central European Time
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Group C

Venue: Varaždin Arena, Varaždin
All times are Central European Time
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Group D

Venue: Žatika Sport Centre, Poreč
All times are Central European Time
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Main round

Group I

Venue: Arena Zagreb, Zagreb
All times are Central European Time
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Group II

Venue: Krešimir Ćosić Hall, Zadar
All times are Central European Time
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Final round (Split">Split (city)">Split/[Zagreb])

;Bracket

Semifinals

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Bronze match

Final



Statistics
24/36Goals scored19/36
67%% success53 %
7/7Jets of 7m4/4
4 minSuspensions6 min
4Yellow cards4
0Red cards1
10/29Total shots7/31
34%% total shots22 %

Placement matches (5–12th place)

11th–12th

9th–10th

7th–8th

5th–6th

President's Cup

Group I

Venue: Mate Parlov Sport Centre, Pula
All times are Central European Time
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Group II

Venue: Žatika Sport Centre, Poreč
All times are Central European Time
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Placement matches (13–24th place)

23rd–24th

21st–22nd

19th–20th

17th–18th

15th–16th

13th–14th

Ranking and statistics

Final ranking

All Star Team

Chosen by team officials and IHF experts:

Other awards

Top goalkeepers

Source:

Top goalscorers

Source:

Medalists

Match officials

IHF broadcasting rights

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