Italian
The national handball team is ready for the double challenge against Switzerland to qualify for the 2027 World Championships in Germany. 17 players have been called up.
Two decisive challenges on the road to the World Cup. The men’s handball national team will face Switzerland in a double match on May 13 and 17 in the third and final qualifying round for the 2027 World Championships in Germany. The first match will take place at the Hallenstadion in Zurich (7:00 PM), while the second will be at home at the Pala Cattani in Faenza (6:00 PM), where a full house is expected.
A round trip that could take the Azzurri into history. This National team has never succeeded in participating in a major international event three times in a row. This could materialize having already competed in the 2025 World Cup and the EHF EURO last January.
Tickets for the match between Italy and Switzerland are on sale through the Vivaticket platform. The link to make the purchase is www.vivaticket.com/it/ticket/italia-svizzera/299001.
The summoned
There are 17 athletes called up by Technical Director Bob Hanning. Compared to previous competitions, there are some returns. On the left wings, Tommaso De Angelis (2005) pairs with Gianluca Dapiran and comes back from a triple-digit season with Metelli Cologne (111 goals). The left-handed Thomas Bortoli (2002) is back available among the backs. Confirmed after the training camp in March between Merano and Hungary are the young Alex Belardinelli (2009) among the backs and Valentino Dello Vicario (2005) as a pivot.
Absent due to injury Marco Mengon and Filippo Angiolini.
The list of the blues called up for the matches against Switzerland:
GOALKEEPERS: Domenico Ebner (GK – 1994 – Leipzig/GER), Pau Panitti (GK – 2004 – Fraikin Granollers/ESP)
WINGS: Gianluca Dapiran (LW – 1994 – Proger Cassano Magnago), Tommaso De Angelis (LW – 2005 – Metelli Cologne), Leo Prantner (RW – 2001 – Füchse Berlin/GER), Nicolò D’Antino (RW – 1999 – Cangas/ESP), Davide Pugliese (RW/C – 2001 – Raimond Sassari)
BACKS AND CENTERS: Simone Mengon (C/BS – 2000 – Stuttgart/GER), Christian Manojlovic (C/BS – 2005 – Timisoara/ROU), Davide Bulzamini (BS – 1995 – Potsdam/GER), Mikael Helmersson (BS – 2003 – Coburg/GER), Giacomo Savini (C/RW – 1998 – Proger Cassano Magnago), Thomas Bortoli (RW – 2002 – Istres Provence/FRA), Alex Belardinelli (RW – 2009 – Camerano)
PIVOT: Andrea Parisini (P – 1994 – Limoges/FRA), Tommaso Romei (P – 2003 – Bregenz/AUT), Valentino Dello Vicario (P – 2005 – Junior Fasano)
TECHNICAL STAFF: Bob Hanning (DT), Jürgen Prantner (assistant coach), Per Konhagel (assistant), Andrea Menini (goalkeeper coach), Patrizio Pacifico (fitness coach)
MEDICAL STAFF: Federico Morelli (doctor), Francesco Di Santo (physiotherapist), Federico Di Santo (physiotherapist)
FIGH DELEGATE: Silvano Seca
The formula
The format for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers includes home and away matches in a knockout format from the very first round. In the event of a win for each team, the determining factor is the goal difference (without considering away goals).
In case of the same gap with one win each, there will be penalty shots from seven meters at the end of the return match.
The teams already qualified
Europe: Denmark, Germany (host), Croatia, Iceland, Portugal, Sweden
Asia: Bahrain, Japan, Kuwait, Qatar
Africa: Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Egypt, Tunisia
North America: USA
South America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay
Photo: Luigi Canu
