The Fiji Under-18 Women’s Handball Team has set its sights on a top-16 finish as it prepares to make history at the International Handball Federation (IHF) Women’s Under-18 World Championship.

Ranked 32nd in the world, the 12-member side faces a daunting challenge in Pool A, where they will take on handball powerhouses France, Croatia and Egypt, all ranked inside the world’s top 16.

“Our opening match is against France on the 29th, followed by Croatia on the 30th. After a rest day, we’ll take on Egypt on the 1st of August. All three teams are ranked in the world’s top 16, while Fiji is currently ranked 32nd. Our goal is to compete well and push for a place in the top 16 so we can return home with a different story.”

Making their debut on the global stage against some of the sport’s most experienced nations will be no easy task, but the Fijian side is embracing the opportunity.

After becoming the first Pacific Island nation to qualify for the championship following their historic campaign in the Cook Islands last year, the team is determined to create another memorable chapter in Fiji handball history.

“We’re not putting too much pressure on ourselves because this is Fiji’s first appearance at the tournament, while the other teams have years of experience at this level. I’ve told the girls to enjoy the experience, trust what they’ve learned, and play with confidence. If we were able to win in the Cook Islands last year, there’s no reason we can’t produce another strong performance.”