Competition System and Match Evaluation

1. PRELIMINARY ROUND

The teams are divided in four (4) groups of four (4) in the preliminary round, and a total of 24 matches will be played in this stage of the competition on a round robin basis.

In case of less number of participating teams in the Beach Handball WCh, the Executive Committee makes a decision which match scheme shall apply.

Playing schedule (24 matches in total)

A1-A3	B1-B3	C1-C3	D1-D3
A2-A4	B2-B4	C2-C4	D2-D4
A4-A1	B4-B1	C4-C1	D4-D1
A3-A2	B3-B2	C3-C2	D3-D2
A1-A2	B1-B2	C1-C2	D1-D2
A3-A4	B3-B4	C3-C4	D3-D4

2. MAIN ROUND

After the Preliminary round, the teams ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Groups A and B play in the Main Round-Group I and the teams ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd in Groups C and D play in the Main Round Group II. This phase will be played in two group with six teams each. The respective preliminary round results from the matches against opponents, which also go through to this round, remain valid for the ranking of this Main round. The ranking achieved by teams in their respective groups in the Preliminary Round are carried through to the Main Round Groups as shown in the table below. In this Main round each team will play 3 matches.

In this Main round each team will play 3 matches.

I1-1A	II1-1C
I2-1B	II2-1D
I3-2A	II3-2C
I4-2B	II4-2D
I5-3A	II5-3C
I6-3B	II6-3D

Playing schedule (18 matches in total)

GROUP I	GROUP II
1A-3B	1C-3D
2A-2B	2C-2D
3A-1B	3C-1D
1A-2B	1C-2D
2A-1B	2C-1D
3A-3B	3C-3D
2A-3B	2C-3D
3A-2B	3C-2D
1A-1B	1C-1D

3. FINAL PHASE (12 matches in total)

The final phase of the competition will be played as quarter-finals between the first four teams of groups I and II, Semi Finals, placement matches and finals as follows:

Quarter finals (4 matches in total)

QF1:

1st of I vs 4th of II
QF2:

1st of II vs 4th of I
QF3:

2nd of I vs 3rd of II
QF4:

2nd of II vs 3rd of I

Placement round: Places 5-8 (2 matches)

PL1:

Loser QF1 - Loser QF4
PL2:

Loser QF2 - Loser QF3

Placement matches for places 5/6 and 7/8 (2 matches)

Places 7/8:

Loser PL1 – Loser PL2
Places 5/6:

Winner PL1 – Winner PL2

Semifinals and Finals (2 matches)

SF1:

Winner QF1 Winner QF4
SF2:

Winner QF2 Winner QF3

Finals (2 matches)

Places 3/4:

Loser SF1 – Loser SF2
Places 1/2:

Winner SF1 – Winner SF2

Consolation Round

After the Preliminary round, the teams ranked 4th in each group play in the Consolation Round. This phase will be played in one group (Consolation Group) with four teams with round robin system.

Playing schedule (6 matches in total)

4A – 4C
4B – 4D
4D – 4A
4C – 4B
4A – 4B
4C – 4D

Placement Round: Places 9-16 (4 matches)

The teams ranked 5th and 6th on each Main Round Group I and II play against the teams of the Consolation Group as shown below:

C1:

Best ranked 5th of Main Round Groups – 4th of the Consolation Group (*)
C2:

The second ranked 5th of Main Round Groups – 3rd of the Consolation Group
C3:

Best ranked 6th of Main Round Groups – 2nd of the Consolation Group (*)
C3:

The second ranked 6th of Main Round Groups – 1st of the Consolation Group

(*) After completion of the Main Round Groups, following ranking system will apply to determine the best ranked 5th and 6th teams of the Main Round Groups:

a) Number of points
b) Period difference
c) Goal point difference
d) Greater number of plus goal points
e) Greater number of plus periods

If a ranking is still not possible, a draw shall decide. The IHF shall make the draw, if possible, in the presence of the persons in charge of the teams concerned (i.e. Team Managers /Coaches).