Christiansen, who will be working for Danish television channel TV2 at the showpiece tournament, which starts on Thursday (January 15) with a match between the hosts and Brazil, told the Qatar 2015 website that he is expecting another eventual triumph from the nation that, save for 2013, has won major titles every year since 2008.

That includes the last two Olympic Games, European titles in 2010 and 2014, and world titles in 2009 and 2011.

"France is my top favourite," Christiansen said.

"Their top star Nikola Karabatić is in the form of his life, and the way they defeated Denmark at the 2014 European Championship on Danish ground proved their strength and power.

"In general, I expect the four semi-finalists of the Euro to be part of the semi-finals again: France, Denmark, Spain and Croatia."

France celebrate retaining their Olympic handball title at the London 2012 Games ©Getty Images

Christiansen also admitted that he harbours hopes for a Danish victory.

"I hope that the Danish team will make it to the final again," he added.

"The expectations are huge, the anticipation the same.

"All Danes are handball-crazy, so they hope for the first ever gold medals at a World Championship.

"But the way is long and steep.

"Indeed it would be outstanding to have a final against France or Spain - as then the boys really have a chance to take revenge.

"Having Guðmundur Guðmundsson as a new coach and counting on the world's best goalkeeper could bring new energy for the team.

"And if he is in top form, our former World Handball Player Mikkel Hansen can play an equal role as Karabatić."

As Qatar prepares to become the first Gulf region host of the Championship, hopes are also rising for a host team coached by the man who steered Spain to the world title two years ago, Valero Rivera López.

Qatar won the Asian Championship and the Asian Games last year, and Rivera López has targeted reaching the knock-out stages, which would be the host's best ever World Championship performance.

"This Qatar team is something very special," added Christiansen.

"I saw them at the Golden League event in January 2014 in Paris, when they beat Denmark.

"Qatar have one of the best coaches in the world and made some interesting 'signings'.

"I am sure that they will win some matches, but I don't expect them to make it to the semi-finals.

"Definitely they will proceed to the knock-out stage - and then we will see if the team manages to cause a 'fever' among their fans.

"They need to profit from their role as hosts.

"I am 100 per cent sure that we will experience an unprecedented event, a World Championship like we never had seen before.

"I heard about the brand new arenas and everybody is full of praise for them.

"Definitely Qatar will set a milestone in terms of organisation.

"Handball will experience new heights in Doha.

"I hope that their 'no-empty-seat' policy will come true.

"I heard from hundreds of fans from the European core handball countries, who will travel to Doha to experience the event and to support their teams.

"I am looking forward to those great arenas and to great duels of the best handball teams of the world.

"I expect that this event will be great promotion for handball in some parts of the world, where there is still room for improvement.

"Handball will get a boost thanks to Qatar 2015."

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