Latvia Loses to Poland in Handball Qualifiers for 2027 World Championship

Jelgava suffered a defeat in the first leg of their qualifying round for the 2027 Men’s Handball World Championship, falling to Poland 33-24. The Latvian side showed early promise, but were ultimately overwhelmed by their opponents.

The match began strongly for the home team, with Jelgava scoring seven goals in the first eight minutes to establish a 7-4 lead. However, the Polish attack found its rhythm, and capitalized on a two-minute power play to not only level the score but also capture the lead at 8-7. This shift in momentum proved crucial.

Goalkeeper Ritvars Putrs continued his impressive form, successfully converting shots from across the court – a feat he also achieved in the previous match. His contributions, while notable, weren’t enough to stem the tide.

In the latter half of the first period, the initiative swung back and forth between the two teams. Jelgava managed to regain some ground, moving from 14-15 to 18-15 in the final two minutes, adding two more goals thanks to their goalkeeper, who scored as the siren sounded, extending their lead to three goals. Despite this late surge, the advantage proved short-lived.

The second leg proved equally challenging for Jelgava, with Poland securing a decisive 33-25 victory. The combined score of 66-49 firmly establishes Poland as the favorites to advance. This result effectively ends Jelgava’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 World Championship.

Jelgava’s performance highlights the growing competitiveness of handball in Latvia, but also underscores the challenges faced by emerging nations against established European powerhouses. The team’s initial strong start in the first leg demonstrated their potential, but a lack of consistency and the ability to maintain pressure against a skilled opponent ultimately proved to be their downfall.

The city of Jelgava, steeped in history as a former capital of the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, and a significant railway hub, has shown its support for the team. Founded in 1573, Jelgava currently has a population of 54,834 (as of 2025), and is governed by Mayor Mārtiņš Daģis. The city’s economic output in 2021 was 740,034,000 euros, with a per capita GDP of 13,462 euros.

Looking at the broader qualifying picture, Greece defeated Belgium with an aggregate score of 63-57. Georgia narrowly lost to Israel 60-59. Ukraine overcame Slovakia 58-56. Serbia dominated Lithuania with a resounding 75-49 victory. Turkey and Romania, along with Finland and Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, are still to complete their second leg matches as of March 22, 2026.

The qualifying process for the 2027 Men’s Handball World Championship is proving to be fiercely contested, with several closely fought matches and surprising results. While Jelgava’s campaign has reach to an end, the competition continues to intensify as teams battle for a coveted spot in the tournament.

Selection for the 2027 Men’s Handball World Championship. Final Round