The World Handball Championship starts in January and one of the big changes this year is that the championship has been extended to 32 teams from 24.

Among other things, three countries make their World Cup debut in this year's championships - Cape Verde, Congo and Uruguay.

- It's exotic but it lands there, says SVT's handball expert Magnus Grahn.

- It is not the case that it generates an interest and Congo will probably not score more than 12-13 goals in their matches.

I doubt that this is what you should show in a World Cup.

"Is there a fear among the players"

What do you think of 32 teams in the championship?

- It is not to the benefit of the quality.

There are too many blueberry nations involved and that gives too many uninteresting matches for the audience.

- Now the group game is more of academic importance, it is already clear.

There should be a B-World Cup instead like hockey.

The championship also takes place during a time when the corona pandemic is still going on and it is affecting.

For example, some of the nations have already received "no thanks" in advance from players who do not want to risk spreading the infection or being infected.

In Sweden, Lukas Nilsson has refused for that reason.

- There will be more re-offers in different national teams, rest assured.

There may be injuries and other things, but behind that there is a fear among the players.

- I am terrified that it will infect any team.

What happens to the championship then?

The superstar makes Norway favorites

But if the bubble now holds, SVT's expert Magnus Grahn believes that there will be a final replay from the European Championships between Norway and Spain also in the World Cup final.

- It will be between three countries, Denmark, Norway and Spain, then there is Croatia, which is always lurking in the reeds.

And it will be Norway that gets to celebrate World Cup gold, Grahn believes, thanks to a Norwegian 25-year-old.

- Sander Sagosen is in a class of his own in the world right now.

He is the best defensive player, lightning fast in the counterattacks and he has a huge shooting.

- He is the superstar in the World Cup and I think he is ready to lead Norway to World Cup gold.

MORE HANDBALL: Grahn on the judges in the women's European Championships: "Far too low level" (December 3, 2020)

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Grahn saw the judges: "Far too low level" Photo: SVT