Crunch Time Arrives at EHF Olympiad: Quarterfinals Predictions

EHF - powered by AI

Sat, 14 Jun 2025

The stakes have never been higher, and the excitement has been building all week. At the EHF olympiad, the quarterfinal round has finally arrived, leaving no room for error. Eight teams will battle it out for a spot in the semifinals, as the road to the golden glory begins to narrow down.

Group A Powerhouses Face Off

Reigning champions, German squad, will face last year’s runners-up, Norwegian team, in the most anticipated match of the round. Both teams come into the quarterfinal stage on the back of convincing displays in the group stage. German’s 27-goals-per-game average showcases their attacking prowess, but Norwegian’s stingy 12-goals-conceded-per-game average attests to their solid defending.

Prediction: Germany has a slight edge, coming away with a 33-28 victory.

A Danish Delight Set to Unfold

Macedonian team will ride into the quarterfinal against their Danish counterparts, off the back of an excellent group stage performance. Inconsistency has plagued Macedonia throughout the tournament, allowing their opponents to steal narrow wins. Denmark, under their experienced coach, Michael Messner, have clicked into gear, winning back-to-back matches against previously undefeated teams.

Prediction: Denmark’s cohesion and strong teamwork will prove too much for Macedonia, as the Danish squad secures a 32-24 upset victory.

Ireland Faces a Tall Order against Austria

Austrian side, buoyed by a resounding 41-24 win over Kazakhstan in the group stage, is set to take on a determined Irish team seeking a major upset. Coach Tim Murphy’s charges may lack the depth and stars of their opponents, but a spirited performance and intelligent tactical play could make their opposition sweat.

Prediction: An energetic Irish display will inspire hopes of an upset for 30 minutes, only to be ultimately eclipsed by Austria’s firepower (40-30 victory in favor of Austria).

Unpredictable Spain-Slovakia Clash Awaits

The only unbeaten team in the championship, Spain, faces-off against Slovakia, the "Dark Horse" of this EHF olympiad edition. Slovakia’s surprising depth, coupled with a more cautious approach, could challenge the Spanish squad’s superior ball movement and finishing techniques. This match promises to go either way, as individual errors could prove the tipping point.

Prediction: Either way, this match will require incredible defensive efforts. My heart says Slovakia might exploit the Spanish backline… and my head agrees this might be the most unpredicted result of the quart

Quarterfinal Projections

1. German – Norway: GER (33-28) 2. Netherlands – Croatia: NLD (30-26)

Prediction: The EHF olympiad is now very much alive, as six new matches unfold in quick succession. Who will we witness in the semifinal?