European qualification explained for Men's Junior World Championship 2015

Friday's semi-finals at the Men's 20 EHF EURO not only decide about the tournament's finalists, they also play an important role in the decision which two European teams qualify directly for the Men's Junior World Championship 2015.

Whether these two teams are also the two finalists, depends on Denmark's performance.

Denmark are the reigning youth world champions and thus they are already qualified for the Junior World Championship next year.

Hence if Denmark win their semi-final against Sweden on Friday night, the other finalist also qualifies for the World Championship no matter the outcome of the final.

The match for third place then becomes not only a battle for bronze but also for the direct qualification to the Junior World Championship with the winner qualifying for the event.

If Denmark lose their semi-final, the two finalists of the Men's 20 EHF EURO 2014 qualify directly.

Apart from the direct qualification, there are another eight spots available for European teams at the final tournament which will be decided in the Qualification Europe.

The draw for the qualification groups is expected to take place at the EHF Congress in Dublin, Ireland on 19/20 September 2014.

The qualification tournaments will be played from 9 to 11 January 2015.

The Men's Junior World Championship 2015 will take place from 19 July to 2 August 2015. The organiser will be determined by the International Handball Federation.