US Team Handball Women's National Team

The results of the 2005 Women’s World Championships held 5-18 December in St. Petersburg, Russia, were as follows:

1. Russia – Went undefeated throughout the tournament; Final match was played in front of 10,500 spectators
2. Romania
3. Hungary – 4th place finish 04’ Olympic Games; Silver Medalists 03’ World Champions
4. Denmark – Gold Medalists 04’ Olympic Games
5. Netherlands – Best finish in history
6. Germany
7. Brazil – 7th place finish 04’ Olympic Games; Best finish in history
8. Korea – Silver Medalists 04’ Olympic Games; Bronze Medalists 03’ World Champions
9. Norway – 6th place finish 03’ World Champions
10. Ukraine – Bronze Medalists 04’ Olympic Games; 4th place finish 03’ World Champions
11. Croatia
12. France – Former World Champion (03’)
13. Austria
14. Slovenia
15. Macedonia
16. Angola – A preliminary round surprise; noted for their strong performances on several occasions
17. China
18. Japan
19. Poland
20. Argentina
21. Ivory Coast
22. Cameroon
23. Uruguay
24. Australia

As noted above, Brazil had their best World Championship finish in history. With a top seven finish, they effectively eliminated one European team from competing in the 2007 World Championships (WC). More importantly, Brazil gained a “performance position,” creating an additional spot for a Pan American team to qualify. Thus, the top four teams from the Pan Americas will qualify for the 2007 WC instead of three.

Brazil defeated former World Champion France by 12 goals and 2004 silver medalist Korea by one. Note… only two of nine teams were able to hold Brazil to fewer points than the WNT did at the Pan American Championships in May (28). One of the two teams to do so was 2004 Olympic Champion Denmark. Germany was the other. Even Romania, the 2005 WC silver medalists, could only hold Brazil to 33 goals.