Twenty-four countries will battle it out for glory at the Women's Youth World Handball Championship which begins in Polish city Kielce tomorrow ©IHF

Twenty-four countries will battle it out for glory at the Women's Youth World Handball Championship which begins in Polish city Kielce tomorrow.

Russia, who are two-time winners of the under-18 event, will defend the title they won in 2016 in Slovakia.

Matches will be played at the Legionów Hall and Politechnika Hall venues with the nations first divided into four groups of six.

The Russians will begin their defence in Group C, alongside Norway, Japan, China, The Netherlands and Argentina.

Poland are hosting this year's tournament ©IHF
Poland are hosting this year's tournament ©IHF

Hosts Poland will play in Group A with Germany, 2014 winners Romania, Austria, Angola and Slovakia.

Group B features two former winners in Denmark and Sweden as well as Hungary, Egypt, Chile and Croatia.

South Korea, France, Spain, Tunisia, Kazakhstan and Montenegro will lock horns in Group D.

The top four countries in each group will all advance to the round-of-16.

The final is due for August 19 at Legionów Hall.