Junior MNT Wins IHF Trophy Title, Secures Qualification to Three Tournaments Next Year
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by Matt Collins
USA Team Handball’s Junior Men’s National Team will have a filled calendar next year as a Gold Medal at last week’s Junior IHF Trophy secured qualifications to three tournaments in 2025 - IHF Men’s (U21) Handball World Championship, the IHF Intercontinental Phase, and the Junior Pan American Games.
The Americans went undefeated at the Junior IHF Trophy, held in Mexico City from December 3rd to 9th, coming out victorious in the Championship match versus the hosts. The United States was placed into Group A alongside Canada, Mexico, and St. Kitts and Nevis. Cuba, Dominican Republic, Martinique, and Puerto Rico rounded out the competition field in Group B.
The United States opened up play against Canada, and behind a Player of the Match performance from Oskar Trummer, secured a 25:22 victory.
On Day 2 of the tournament, the Americans took on St. Kitts and Nevis, an island nation in the Caribbean with a population of about 50,000 people. The United States jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first seven minutes of the match. The offensive attack continued as the halftime score was 25:5 in favor of the US. Five goals in the final five minutes of play saw the largest margin of victory in recent memory for the United States, finishing with a final score of 54:8. Matthew Spranda led the match with 17 goals.
The last match of the group stage saw the hosts Mexico as the opponent. This would be an important match for both teams as a victory would mean finishing atop the group, and avoiding the defending champions, Cuba, in the semifinals. It was a slow start for both teams, as only four goals were scored in the first 10 minutes of the match. After the United States trailed by three as the first half crossed the 20 minute mark, a timeout by Head Coach Danilo Rojevic allowed the squad to regroup. The Americans were able to close the deficit at halftime, and go into the break only trailing by one, 10:9. Two quick goals out of the intermission by Oskar Trummer and Rodrigo Campos gave the US their first lead since the match was 1:0. The hosts never led again, as the United States secured a 25:22 win, and finished in first place of Group A.
Maksim McCauley, a veteran to the squad, saw the unblemished group stage record as a testament to the team’s cohesion building as the tournament progressed.
“Chemistry doesn’t just happen overnight, but this squad found a way to come together quickly,” McCauley said. “We trusted each other on and off the court, which showed in how we played. Each game brought us closer, and we were able to learn and adapt as a team.”
Each game brought us closer, and we were able to learn and adapt as a team.
In the semifinals, the US took on Martinique, as they did in the 2022 edition of the Junior IHF Trophy. Two years ago, the Americans secured a ten-goal victory, and they were hoping for the same this go around. As the match got underway, it was a slow-going first 16 minutes of the match for the United States, as Martinique climbed to a 8:4 advantage. But the Americans went on a 6–0 run in the next eight minutes of the match, and went into the halftime break with a 13:10 lead. The largest second-half lead for the US stretched to seven, with the United States advancing to the final with a 33:26 victory.
The semifinal win also clinched a berth into the 2025 IHF Men’s (U21) Handball World Championship and the 2025 Junior Pan American Games.
“Before going to this tournament, we set our goal to qualify for the World Championship and the Pan American Games, and dreamt about winning it all,” said Head Coach Danilo Rojevic.
All that stood between that dream and reality was a meeting with Mexico in the Gold Medal match. The hosts defeated what many believed to be the tournament favorite - Cuba - in the semifinals, with Rojevic expressing this wasn’t shocking given their level of play at the tournament.
“The Mexican team, in particular, is probably the best I’ve seen in years and it was no surprise to me to see them play the final,” Rojevic said.
The gymnasium at the Comite Olimpico Mexicano was standing-room only for the title match, as the showdown between Mexico and the United States would see the winner qualify for the 2025 IHF Intercontinental Phase.
The match started with both teams trading goals, before an incredible double save by United States goalkeeper Ben Pedersen at the 16 minute mark of the first half jump started a 10:4 run for the Americans, as the Americans led at halftime, 15:10.
But the home crowd willed on a second half comeback, and with less than two minutes left in the match, the teams were tied at 25. After a Mexico possession went unfruitful, the United States offensive attack with 45 seconds remaining saw a gorgeous pass from Martin Brunvold find McCauley unguarded on the 6 meter line, and the veteran was clinical in his finish to regain the lead.
“At that moment, I wasn’t thinking about the pressure or the score. I trusted my training and my teammates who created the opportunity,” said McCauley. “When I saw the opening, I knew I had to take the shot. It was pure instinct.”
As Mexico made one final push to send the match into extra time, Benjamin Pedersen made a save at the buzzer and the United States secured the title.
“I think we were superior for the first 40 minutes of that game,” Rojevic said as he reflected on the final. “But it was also our 5th game in 5 days at high altitude. The team’s performance dropped at the worst time, but their experience showed up when we needed it.”
At the closing ceremony, Benjamin Pedersen was the all-tournament team as Best Goalkeeper, while the Best Center Back award went to Csaba Darvas.
The attention now turns to the IHF Intercontinental Phase, which will be held in Spring 2025. After that, a visit to Poland awaits the squad as the 2025 IHF Men’s (U21) Handball World Championship is set to be held from June 18th to 29th. In addition, Asuncion, Paraguay will play host to the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in August of next year.
The United States finished in 27th place at the most recent World Championships in 2023 and their goal is to build on that placement next year.
“It’s our second participation in a row at the IHF Jr. Men’s World Championship and we aspire to do better,” Rojevic said.
“In 2023, we won 2 games - versus Libya and Costa Rica - and tied with Algeria. I think that this group has the potential to achieve more and rank within the Top-25, possibly Top-20.”
McCauley agrees, saying “This is just the beginning of a new and exciting cycle for us. We’ve completed our objectives by qualifying for all three major events the IHF International Trophy, the U21 World Championship , and the Junior Pan Am Games. It’s going to be an incredible journey, and we can’t wait to see what’s next. We hope this success brings more recognition to US handball, both locally and internationally, and inspires more people to follow and support the sport.”
I think that this group has the potential to achieve more.
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