The 1997 World Women's Handball Championship took place in Germany 30 November – 14 December 1997. It was the first tournament with 24 teams. Denmark won its first title. Denmark's only defeat in the championship was by Macedonia. Host Cities The matches were held in the cities of Berlin, Hanover, Saarbrücken, Hamburg, Sindelfingen, Neubrandenburg and Rotenburg an der Fulda. The semi-finals and finals were held in the Berlin in the Max-Schmeling-Halle. Squads Group stage Group A Group B Group C Group D Final round Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals For places 1-4 For places 5-8 Finals Final standings World champions Lene Rantala Anne Dorthe Tanderup Helle Simonsen Camilla Andersen Tina Bottzau Anette Hoffman Lone Mathiesen Janne Kolling Merete Moller Anja Andersen Gitte Sunesen Gitte Madsen Tonje Kjaergaard Susanne Munk Lauritsen Maybrit Nielsen Karina Jespersen Trainer: Ulrik Wilbek Top goalscorers All Star Team Goalkeeper: Susanne Munk Wilbek Left Wing: Han Sun-hee Left Back: Franziska Heinz Center Back: Camilla Andersen Pivot: Natalia Deriougina Right Back: Tonje Sagstuen Right Wing: Natalia Malakhova References Source: International Handball Federation World Handball Championship tournaments World Women's Handball Championship, 1997 W Women's handball in Germany World Women's Handball Championship November 1997 sports events in Europe December 1997 sports events in Europe