2024 represents the closest the Czechia women’s national handball team have ever come to competing in an Olympic Games.

And with a history-equalling high rank at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship last year now could be the best time to become Olympians.

In Denmark last December, Czechia beat Argentina 31:22 in the preliminary group stage, which had followed victory over Congo in late November. Despite a 20:33 loss against the 2019 world championship Netherlands, Czechia moved through to the main round stage and it was here where they shined.

An opening round win against Ukraine (30:23) was surpassed with an impressive 30:22 victory over Spain before a 27:30 loss to Brazil – in a game they had led at half-time. These results ensured Bent Dahl’s side made it through to the last eight for just the second time in their history.

But their run ended in the quarter-finals as they were dispatched by eventual champions France (33:21) to finish in eighth and equal their historic previous high from 2017.

This ranking would ensure qualification through to Torrevieja and now they must face some familiar faces again for a shot at history – with some recent clashes in the 2024 EHF Women’s European Championship Qualification against the Netherlands highlighting just how hard it can be to use previous results as an indication of potential form in Spain.

Back on February 28th, Czechia led once (in the 47th minute) against the Dutch, before losing narrowly 29:30 and just four days later, were easily beaten by 17 goals (25:42). With qualification in the balance they will take to the court in Torrevieja and hope to end their qualification campaign on a high, starting with a must-win game against Portugal and final match against Finland.

Norwegian coach Bent Dahl replaced the long-serving Jan Basny in June 2022 and has a number of weapons at his disposal with a smooth blend of youth and experience.

You cannot start anywhere without mentioning star player Markéta Jeřábková who is a previous EHF Champions League winner, EHF FINAL4 MVP and was top-scorer of the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship.

Youngster Charlotte Cholevová joins Jeřábková in the back court and the duo, along with everyone associated with Czechia handball, will welcome the return of captain Veronika Malá after injury.

Cholevová represents the new generation of Czechia stars, ending as joint top scorer at the 2022 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship and cementing herself as one of the building blocks in Dahl’s new vision, plus not to mention her nomination for the 2023 IHF Young Female Player of the Year. 

“This team has a lot of potential, because we have a good mix of young and experienced players like Marketa Jeřábková and Veronika Malá, the core of the team is very good,” she told us last year.
 
“Ever since I was little, I set some goals that I want to achieve. [But] what motivates me the most is my family, there is no better feeling in the world when your family tells you they are proud of what you achieved.”

Cholevová will be hoping that her family will have something to be proud of again come the end of the games in Torrevieja.

Key players: Markéta Jeřábková (centre back), Veronika Malá (left wing), Charlotte Cholevová (left back), Petra Kudláčková (goalkeeper)

History at the Olympic Games: As Czechia – never qualified, as Czechoslovakia: 1980 – 5th, 1988 – 5th 

Olympic Qualification Tournament #2 (in Torrevieja, Spain): Netherlands (NED), Czechia (CZE), Argentina (ARG), Spain (ESP)