# 2003 World Men's Handball Championship

The 2003 World Men's Handball Championship took place in Portugal from 20 January to 2 February 2003. It was the 18th edition of the World Championship in team handball and Croatia won the championship.

## Venues

9 cities were hosts for the tournament. The final match took place in the capital Lisbon.
| Town | Stadium | max. spectators |
| Lisbon | Pavilhão Atlântico | 15.000 |
| Rio Maior | Pavilhão Polidesportivo | 6.500 |
| São João da Madeira | Pavilhão das Travessas | 6.000 |
| Guimarães | Pavilhão Multiusos | 3.000 |
| Viseu | Viseu Arena | 2.600 |
| Funchal | Madeira Tecnopolo | 2.500 |
| Caminha | Pavilhão Municipal | 2.500 |
| Póvoa de Varzim | Pavilhão Desportivo | 2.500 |
| Espinho | Pavilhão Multiusos NW | 2.000 |
| Lisbon | Rio Maior | São João da Madeira | Guimarães |
| Pavilhão Atlântico | Pavilhão Polidesportivo | Pavilhão das Travessas | Pavilhão Multiusos |
| Capacity: 15,000 | Capacity: 6,500 | Capacity: 6,000 | Capacity: 3,000 |
| Viseu | LisbonViseuGuimarãesCaminhaSão JoãoPóvoaRio MaiorEspinho | LisbonViseuGuimarãesCaminhaSão JoãoPóvoaRio MaiorEspinho | LisbonViseuGuimarãesCaminhaSão JoãoPóvoaRio MaiorEspinho |
| Viseu Arena | LisbonViseuGuimarãesCaminhaSão JoãoPóvoaRio MaiorEspinho | LisbonViseuGuimarãesCaminhaSão JoãoPóvoaRio MaiorEspinho | LisbonViseuGuimarãesCaminhaSão JoãoPóvoaRio MaiorEspinho |
| Capacity: 2,600 | LisbonViseuGuimarãesCaminhaSão JoãoPóvoaRio MaiorEspinho | LisbonViseuGuimarãesCaminhaSão JoãoPóvoaRio MaiorEspinho | LisbonViseuGuimarãesCaminhaSão JoãoPóvoaRio MaiorEspinho |
| Funchal | Caminha | Póvoa de Varzim | Espinho |
| Madeira Tecnopolo | Pavilhão Municipal | Pavilhão Desportivo | Pavilhão Multiusos NW |
| Capacity: 2,500 | Capacity: 2,500 | Capacity: 2,500 | Capacity: 2,000 |

## Qualification

| Competition | Dates | Vacancies | Qualified |
| Host nation | | 1 | Portugal |
| 2001 World Men's Handball Championship | 23 January – 4 February 2001 | 1 | France |
| 2002 European Men's Handball Championship | 25 January – 3 February 2002 | 3 | Sweden Germany Denmark |
| 2002 Asian Men's Handball Championship | 10–19 February 2002 | 3 | Kuwait Qatar Saudi Arabia |
| 2002 African Men's Handball Championship | 19–28 April 2002 | 4 | Tunisia Algeria Egypt Morocco |
| 2002 Oceania Handball Championship | 5–7 July 2002 | 1 | Australia |
| European qualification | 8 January – 9 July 2002 | 8 | Croatia Hungary Iceland Poland Russia Slovenia Spain Yugoslavia |
| 2002 Pan American Men's Handball Championship | 10–14 July 2002 | 3 | Argentina Brazil Greenland |

## First round
### Group A

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Spain | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 157 | 106 | +51 | 10 | Second round |
| 2 | Yugoslavia | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 142 | 103 | +39 | 8 | Second round |
| 3 | Poland | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 140 | 130 | +10 | 6 | Second round |
| 4 | Tunisia | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 131 | 129 | +2 | 4 | Second round |
| 5 | Kuwait | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 98 | 168 | −70 | 2 | |
| 6 | Morocco | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 113 | 145 | −32 | 0 | |
| 20 January 2003 15:30 | Tunisia | 29–20 | Kuwait | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 1,500 Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |
| 20 January 2003 15:30 | | (16–10) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 1,500 Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |
| 20 January 2003 15:30 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 1,500 Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |
| 20 January 2003 18:30 | Yugoslavia | 24–20 | Poland | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 20 January 2003 18:30 | | (12–9) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 20 January 2003 18:30 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 20 January 2003 20:30 | Spain | 23–18 | Morocco | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 20 January 2003 20:30 | | (13–8) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 20 January 2003 20:30 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 21 January 2003 15:30 | Kuwait | 14–36 | Yugoslavia | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 750 Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 21 January 2003 15:30 | | (3–20) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 750 Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 21 January 2003 18:30 | Morocco | 24–28 | Tunisia | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 150 Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 21 January 2003 18:30 | | (15–14) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 150 Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 21 January 2003 18:30 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 150 Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 21 January 2003 20:30 | Poland | 25–34 | Spain | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 21 January 2003 20:30 | | (16–17) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 21 January 2003 20:30 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 23 January 2003 15:30 | Morocco | 22–25 | Kuwait | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 23 January 2003 15:30 | | (9–11) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 23 January 2003 18:30 | Tunisia | 22–24 | Poland | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 800 Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 23 January 2003 18:30 | | (11–11) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 800 Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 23 January 2003 20:30 | Spain | 22–20 | Yugoslavia | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 3,500 Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 23 January 2003 20:30 | | (12–9) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 3,500 Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 23 January 2003 20:30 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 3,500 Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 25 January 2003 16:00 | Spain | 45–18 | Kuwait | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Anusic, Bojsen (USA) |
| 25 January 2003 16:00 | | (24–8) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Anusic, Bojsen (USA) |
| 25 January 2003 16:00 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Anusic, Bojsen (USA) |
| 25 January 2003 18:00 | Yugoslavia | 28–27 | Tunisia | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 25 January 2003 18:00 | | (20–10) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 25 January 2003 20:00 | Poland | 35–29 | Morocco | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 150 Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 25 January 2003 20:00 | | (17–12) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 150 Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 26 January 2003 16:00 | Tunisia | 25–33 | Spain | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 900 Referees: Anusic, Bojsen (USA) |
| 26 January 2003 16:00 | | (13–18) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Attendance: 900 Referees: Anusic, Bojsen (USA) |
| 26 January 2003 18:00 | Yugoslavia | 34–20 | Morocco | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Selim, Hassan (EGY) |
| 26 January 2003 18:00 | | (17–9) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Selim, Hassan (EGY) |
| 26 January 2003 20:00 | Kuwait | 21–36 | Poland | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 26 January 2003 20:00 | | (10–15) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Guimarães, Guimarães Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |

### Group B

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Germany | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 191 | 111 | +80 | 10 | Second round |
| 2 | Iceland | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 185 | 116 | +69 | 8 | Second round |
| 3 | Portugal | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 164 | 126 | +38 | 6 | Second round |
| 4 | Qatar | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 116 | 159 | −43 | 4 | Second round |
| 5 | Australia | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 100 | 192 | −92 | 2 | |
| 6 | Greenland | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 100 | 152 | −52 | 0 | |
| 20 January 2003 12:23 | Iceland | 55–15 | Australia | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Anusic, Bojsen (USA) |
| 20 January 2003 12:23 | | (23–6) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Anusic, Bojsen (USA) |
| 20 January 2003 12:23 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Anusic, Bojsen (USA) |
| 20 January 2003 14:15 | Germany | 40–17 | Qatar | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 20 January 2003 14:15 | | (23–8) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 20 January 2003 14:15 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 20 January 2003 17:00 | Portugal | 34–19 | Greenland | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 20 January 2003 17:00 | | (20–8) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 20 January 2003 17:00 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 21 January 2003 14:15 | Australia | 16–46 | Germany | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Anusic, Bojsen (USA) |
| 21 January 2003 14:15 | | (6–24) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Anusic, Bojsen (USA) |
| 21 January 2003 17:00 | Greenland | 17–30 | Iceland | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Selim, Hassan (EGY) |
| 21 January 2003 17:00 | | (8–16) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Selim, Hassan (EGY) |
| 21 January 2003 17:00 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Selim, Hassan (EGY) |
| 21 January 2003 19:00 | Qatar | 21–31 | Portugal | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Johansson, Kliko (SWE) |
| 21 January 2003 19:00 | | (10–15) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Johansson, Kliko (SWE) |
| 23 January 2003 14:15 | Germany | 34–20 | Greenland | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 23 January 2003 14:15 | | (20–11) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 23 January 2003 14:15 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 23 January 2003 17:00 | Australia | 23–28 | Qatar | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Selim, Hassan (EGY) |
| 23 January 2003 17:00 | | (10–14) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Selim, Hassan (EGY) |
| 23 January 2003 17:00 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Selim, Hassan (EGY) |
| 23 January 2003 19:00 | Iceland | 29–28 | Portugal | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 23 January 2003 19:00 | | (14–13) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 23 January 2003 19:00 | | Report | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 25 January 2003 15:15 | Portugal | 29–37 | Germany | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |
| 25 January 2003 15:15 | | (15–19) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |
| 25 January 2003 17:15 | Iceland | 42–22 | Qatar | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 25 January 2003 17:15 | | (24–9) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 25 January 2003 19:15 | Greenland | 21–26 | Australia | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 25 January 2003 19:15 | | (12–12) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 26 January 2003 16:15 | Germany | 34–29 | Iceland | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 26 January 2003 16:15 | | (20–16) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 26 January 2003 18:15 | Portugal | 42–20 | Australia | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 26 January 2003 18:15 | | (22–11) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 26 January 2003 20:15 | Qatar | 28–23 | Greenland | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Borrotti, Marcet (FRA) |
| 26 January 2003 20:15 | | (15–8) | | Pavilhão Multiusos de Viseu, Viseu Referees: Borrotti, Marcet (FRA) |

### Group C

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Croatia | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 135 | 125 | +10 | 8 | Second round |
| 2 | France | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 147 | 103 | +44 | 8 | Second round |
| 3 | Russia | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 132 | 132 | 0 | 5 | Second round |
| 4 | Hungary | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 154 | 138 | +16 | 4 | Second round |
| 5 | Argentina | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 127 | 156 | −29 | 3 | |
| 6 | Saudi Arabia | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 114 | 155 | −41 | 2 | |
* 1 2 Croatia 23–22 France
| 20 January 2003 15:00 | Russia | 31–30 | Hungary | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |
| 20 January 2003 15:00 | | (15–14) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |
| 20 January 2003 15:00 | | Report | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |
| 20 January 2003 17:00 | Croatia | 29–30 | Argentina | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 20 January 2003 17:00 | | (18–13) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 20 January 2003 17:00 | | Report | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 20 January 2003 20:00 | France | 30–23 | Saudi Arabia | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 20 January 2003 20:00 | | (14–10) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 21 January 2003 15:00 | Argentina | 26–26 | Russia | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 21 January 2003 15:00 | | (11–15) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 21 January 2003 15:00 | | Report | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 21 January 2003 18:00 | Saudi Arabia | 18–25 | Croatia | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |
| 21 January 2003 18:00 | | (10–8) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |
| 21 January 2003 18:00 | | Report | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |
| 21 January 2003 20:00 | Hungary | 24–29 | France | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Vakula, Liudovyk (UKR) |
| 21 January 2003 20:00 | | (10–18) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Vakula, Liudovyk (UKR) |
| 23 January 2003 15:00 | Russia | 26–28 | Croatia | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 23 January 2003 15:00 | | (10–12) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 23 January 2003 15:00 | | Report | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 23 January 2003 18:00 | Hungary | 36–25 | Saudi Arabia | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Vakula, Liudovyk (UKR) |
| 23 January 2003 18:00 | | (22–12) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Vakula, Liudovyk (UKR) |
| 23 January 2003 20:00 | France | 35–18 | Argentina | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |
| 23 January 2003 20:00 | | (14–6) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |
| 23 January 2003 20:00 | | Report | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |
| 25 January 2003 15:00 | Argentina | 23–35 | Hungary | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 25 January 2003 15:00 | | (15–15) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 25 January 2003 15:00 | | Report | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 25 January 2003 17:00 | Croatia | 23–22 | France | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Vakula, Liudovyk (UKR) |
| 25 January 2003 17:00 | | (11–10) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Vakula, Liudovyk (UKR) |
| 25 January 2003 19:00 | Russia | 34–17 | Saudi Arabia | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 25 January 2003 19:00 | | (19–8) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 26 January 2003 15:00 | Croatia | 30–29 | Hungary | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 26 January 2003 15:00 | | (16–13) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 26 January 2003 17:00 | Saudi Arabia | 31–30 | Argentina | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Vakula, Liudovyk (UKR) |
| 26 January 2003 17:00 | | (14–14) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Vakula, Liudovyk (UKR) |
| 26 January 2003 19:00 | France | 31–15 | Russia | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |
| 26 January 2003 19:00 | | (15–6) | | Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal Referees: Nachevski, Nachevski (MKD) |

### Group D

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Sweden | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 147 | 129 | +18 | 8 | Second round |
| 2 | Denmark | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 146 | 125 | +21 | 8 | Second round |
| 3 | Slovenia | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 144 | 137 | +7 | 6 | Second round |
| 4 | Egypt | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 132 | 139 | −7 | 5 | Second round |
| 5 | Algeria | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 119 | 136 | −17 | 2 | |
| 6 | Brazil | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 118 | 140 | −22 | 1 | |
* 1 2 Sweden 32–28 Denmark
| 20 January 2003 15:00 | Algeria | 22–22 | Brazil | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 20 January 2003 15:00 | | (10–11) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 20 January 2003 18:30 | Sweden | 29–23 | Egypt | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 20 January 2003 18:30 | | (14–13) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 20 January 2003 20:30 | Denmark | 33–24 | Slovenia | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 20 January 2003 20:30 | | (17–10) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 20 January 2003 20:30 | | Report | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 21 January 2003 15:00 | Egypt | 25–25 | Algeria | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 21 January 2003 15:00 | | (13–13) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 21 January 2003 15:00 | | Report | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 21 January 2003 18:30 | Slovenia | 29–25 | Sweden | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 21 January 2003 18:30 | | (14–12) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 21 January 2003 18:30 | | Report | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 21 January 2003 20:30 | Brazil | 24–28 | Denmark | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Hussain, Haider (KUW) |
| 21 January 2003 20:30 | | (10–11) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Hussain, Haider (KUW) |
| 23 January 2003 15:00 | Slovenia | 26–27 | Egypt | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 23 January 2003 15:00 | | (14–13) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 23 January 2003 15:00 | | Report | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 23 January 2003 18:30 | Sweden | 29–21 | Brazil | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 23 January 2003 18:30 | | (12–12) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 23 January 2003 18:30 | | Report | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 23 January 2003 20:30 | Denmark | 22–19 | Algeria | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 23 January 2003 20:30 | | (9–13) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 23 January 2003 20:30 | | Report | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 25 January 2003 13:00 | Algeria | 28–32 | Sweden | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Hussain, Haider (KUW) |
| 25 January 2003 13:00 | | (12–17) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Hussain, Haider (KUW) |
| 25 January 2003 13:00 | | Report | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Hussain, Haider (KUW) |
| 25 January 2003 18:00 | Brazil | 27–30 | Slovenia | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Attendance: 1,200 Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 25 January 2003 18:00 | | (10–15) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Attendance: 1,200 Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 25 January 2003 20:00 | Denmark | 35–26 | Egypt | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Attendance: 2,100 Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 25 January 2003 20:00 | | (18–12) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Attendance: 2,100 Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 26 January 2003 16:00 | Sweden | 32–28 | Denmark | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 26 January 2003 16:00 | | (19–14) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 26 January 2003 18:00 | Egypt | 31–24 | Brazil | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 26 January 2003 18:00 | | (17–11) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 26 January 2003 19:00 | Algeria | 25–35 | Slovenia | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 26 January 2003 19:00 | | (13–16) | | Pavilhão Municipal das Travessas, São João da Madeira Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |

## Second round
### Group I

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Spain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 71 | +35 | 6 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Iceland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 106 | 83 | +23 | 4 | 5–8th place semifinals |
| 3 | Poland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 89 | 93 | −4 | 2 | |
| 4 | Qatar | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 63 | 117 | −54 | 0 | |
| 29 January 2003 18:30 | Iceland | 33–29 | Poland | Caminha Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 29 January 2003 18:30 | | (14–17) | | Caminha Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 29 January 2003 20:30 | Spain | 40–15 | Qatar | Caminha Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 29 January 2003 20:30 | | (20–6) | | Caminha Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 30 January 2003 18:30 | Poland | 35–26 | Qatar | Caminha Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 30 January 2003 18:30 | | (18–11) | | Caminha Referees: Kang, Lim (KOR) |
| 30 January 2003 20:30 | Spain | 32–31 | Iceland | Caminha Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 30 January 2003 20:30 | | (18–18) | | Caminha Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |

### Group II

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Germany | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 98 | 81 | +17 | 5 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Yugoslavia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 89 | 86 | +3 | 5 | 5–8th place semifinals |
| 3 | Portugal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 84 | 93 | −9 | 2 | |
| 4 | Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 74 | 85 | −11 | 0 | |
* 1 2 Germany 31–31 Yugoslavia
| 29 January 2003 14:15 | Germany | 30–21 | Tunisia | Póvoa de Varzim Referees: Vakula, Liudovyk (UKR) |
| 29 January 2003 14:15 | | (14–13) | | Póvoa de Varzim Referees: Vakula, Liudovyk (UKR) |
| 29 January 2003 18:30 | Yugoslavia | 30–28 | Portugal | Póvoa de Varzim Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 29 January 2003 18:30 | | (18–7) | | Póvoa de Varzim Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 30 January 2003 14:15 | Germany | 31–31 | Yugoslavia | Póvoa de Varzim Attendance: 800 Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 30 January 2003 14:15 | | (15–16) | | Póvoa de Varzim Attendance: 800 Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 30 January 2003 18:30 | Portugal | 27–26 | Tunisia | Póvoa de Varzim Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 30 January 2003 18:30 | | (14–12) | | Póvoa de Varzim Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |

### Group III

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Croatia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 76 | +14 | 6 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Russia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 90 | 78 | +12 | 4 | 5–8th place semifinals |
| 3 | Denmark | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 90 | 94 | −4 | 2 | |
| 4 | Egypt | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 71 | 93 | −22 | 0 | |
| 29 January 2003 18:15 | Croatia | 29–23 | Egypt | Rio Maior Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 29 January 2003 18:15 | | (13–11) | | Rio Maior Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 29 January 2003 20:30 | Denmark | 28–35 | Russia | Rio Maior Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 29 January 2003 20:30 | | (16–16) | | Rio Maior Referees: Repenšek, Požežnik (SLO) |
| 30 January 2003 18:15 | Russia | 29–22 | Egypt | Rio Maior Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 30 January 2003 18:15 | | (12–11) | | Rio Maior Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 30 January 2003 20:30 | Croatia | 33–27 | Denmark | Rio Maior Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 30 January 2003 20:30 | | (19–11) | | Rio Maior Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |

### Group IV

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 90 | 70 | +20 | 6 | Semifinals |
| 2 | Hungary | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 84 | 87 | −3 | 2 | 5–8th place semifinals |
| 3 | Slovenia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 76 | 84 | −8 | 2 | |
| 4 | Sweden | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 82 | 91 | −9 | 2 | |
* 1 2 3 Hungary 2Pts, +2GD; Slovenia 2Pts, +1GD; Sweden 2Pts, –3GD
| 29 January 2003 18:30 | Sweden | 33–32 | Hungary | Espinho Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |
| 29 January 2003 18:30 | | (17–17) | | Espinho Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |
| 29 January 2003 20:30 | France | 31–22 | Slovenia | Espinho Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 29 January 2003 20:30 | | (14–11) | | Espinho Referees: Breto, Huelin (ESP) |
| 30 January 2003 18:30 | Sweden | 24–30 | France | Espinho Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 30 January 2003 18:30 | | (11–15) | | Espinho Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 30 January 2003 20:30 | Slovenia | 25–28 | Hungary | Espinho Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |
| 30 January 2003 20:30 | | (10–13) | | Espinho Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |

## Final round
### 5–8th place semifinals

| 1 February 2003 09:30 | Yugoslavia | 33–34 (ET) | Hungary | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| 1 February 2003 09:30 | | (12–11) | | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |
| Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Baum, Góralczyk (POL) |||
| 1 February 2003 12:00 | Iceland | 27–30 | Russia | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |
| 1 February 2003 12:00 | | (12–13) | | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Lemme, Ullrich (GER) |

### Semifinals

| 1 February 2003 15:00 | Germany | 23–22 | France | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 1 February 2003 15:00 | | (11–10) | | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Dolejš, Kohout (CZE) |
| 1 February 2003 17:30 | Spain | 37–39 (ET) | Croatia | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| 1 February 2003 17:30 | | (14–9) | | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |
| Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Arnaldsson, Viðarsson (ISL) |||

### 7th place game

| 2 February 2003 11:30 | Iceland | 32–27 | Yugoslavia | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |
| 2 February 2003 11:30 | | (16–13) | | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Referees: Bord, Buy (FRA) |

### 5th place game

| 2 February 2003 09:00 | Russia | 30–25 | Hungary | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Attendance: 3,000 Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |
| 2 February 2003 09:00 | | (16–11) | | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Attendance: 3,000 Referees: Hansson, Olsson (SWE) |

### Third place game

| 2 February 2003 14:30 | Spain | 22–27 | France | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Attendance: 7,000 Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |
| 2 February 2003 14:30 | Ortega 7 | (11–16) | Narcisse 7 | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Attendance: 7,000 Referees: Goulão, Macau (POR) |

### Final

| 2 February 2003 17:00 | Croatia | 34–31 | Germany | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Attendance: 12,000 Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |
| 2 February 2003 17:00 | Džomba 8 | (20–18) | Baur 8 | Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon Attendance: 12,000 Referees: Boye, Jensen (DEN) |

## Final standings

| Rank | Team |
| | Croatia |
| | Germany |
| | France |
| 4 | Spain |
| 5 | Russia |
| 6 | Hungary |
| 7 | Iceland |
| 8 | Yugoslavia |
| 9 | Denmark |
| 10 | Poland |
| 11 | Slovenia |
| 12 | Portugal |
| 13 | Sweden |
| 14 | Tunisia |
| 15 | Egypt |
| 16 | Qatar |
| 17 | Argentina |
| 18 | Algeria |
| 19 | Saudi Arabia |
| 20 | Kuwait |
| 21 | Australia |
| 22 | Brazil |
| 23 | Morocco |
| 24 | Greenland |
* Qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics
* Ineligible to qualify for the Olympics: Greenland do not have a National Olympic Committee recognized by the IOC
* 2003 Men's World Champions
* Croatia First title

## Awards

MVP: Christian Schwarzer

### All Star Team

* Goalkeeper: Henning Fritz
* Left Wing: Eduard Koksharov
* Left Back: Carlos Pérez
* Center Back: Enric Masip
* Pivot : Christian Schwarzer
* Right Back: Patrick Cazal
* Right Wing: Mirza Džomba

## Medalists

| Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Croatia Mario KelentrićNikša KalebRenato SulićIvano BalićBožidar JovićBlaženko LackovićVedran ZrnićIgor VoriDavor DominikovićDenis ŠpoljarićMirza DžombaPetar MetličićVlado ŠolaTonči ValčićSlavko GolužaValter Matošević Head coach : Lino Červar | Germany Henning FritzPascal HensMark DragunskiStefan KretzschmarChristian RoseJan-Olaf ImmelChristian SchwarzerKlaus-Dieter PetersenSteffen WeberVolker ZerbeChristian RamotaMarkus BaurChristian ZeitzHeiko GrimmFlorian KehrmannCarsten Lichtlein Head coach : Heiner Brand | FranceJérôme FernandezDidier DinartCédric BurdetBertrand GilleChristophe KempeDaniel NarcisseGrégory AnquetilAndrej GolicOlivier GiraultBruno MartiniFrançois-Xavier HouletThierry OmeyerJackson RichardsonJoël AbatiPatrick Cazal Head coach : Claude Onesta |