The 2003 World Women's Handball Championship, the 16th handball world championship for women, was played in Croatia between 2 and 14 December 2003.

Qualification

The following nations were qualified:

Preliminary round

Group A in Split

Group B in Poreč

Group C in Karlovac

Group D in Čakovec

Main Round

Top two teams from each group advanced to the Semifinals. The third placed teams from each group competed in the 5th/6th placement match.

Group I

Group II in Rijeka

Final round

In Zagreb

Ranking and statistics

Final ranking

All Star Team

Top Goalkeepers

Top goalscorers

Statistics

The total average number of shots and throws taken in the preliminary round was 51.79 with a shot efficacy of 52.46%. The greatest efficacy was acquired by shots at the goal line (70%). Teams won on average 4.58 penalty (7m) throws. The winning teams took on average 3.55 shots more that the defeated teams. Defeated teams were also 17.98% less efficient than the winning ones, not only in goal-scoring but also in number and efficacy of the fast breaks and assists.

Medalists

Literature