Flag of Iceland. Photo: Avdo Bilkanovic / BILDBYRÅN
During Monday evening, eight matches were decided in the women’s WC. Cameroon took a historic place in the main round, Iceland fell on the goal line and Japan excelled in the crush. Below is a brief summary of Monday’s matches.
Group B
Cameroon started briskly and took an early lead in the match against Paraguay. But Paraguay managed to keep their nerves in check and soon equalized at 8–8. After that it was still even and the score was equal at half-time. Cameroon managed to make a small breakthrough in the second half and went up to a two-goal lead. Paola Ebanga, who was the game’s top scorer with nine goals, was a key piece in Cameroon and the team had soon extended their lead to 22–18. Powered by Fernanda Insfran, who finished the game with seven goals, Paraguay closed the gap and the game remained even. But in the crucial minutes, both teams looked nervous and missed many shots. Cameroon emerged victorious from the match, thus securing a place in the main round, for the first time ever. Paraguay can hope for better luck in the President’s Cup.
The first half between Hungary and Montenegro can be described as a low-scoring story. The teams fought very hard for every goal and defended better than they attacked. Both Blanka Biro and Marta Batinovic played really well and had a high save percentage in the first half. But it was in the second half that Batinovic really shone and was behind Hungary’s relatively long goal drought. Montenegro displayed high quality handball and Dijana Mugosa and Tatjana Brnovic shone in attack. When the final whistle blew, Montenegro’s victory was a fact and the team finished the group stage with maximum points. Hungary is also through to the main round.
Group D
Angola only needed a draw against Iceland to secure a place in the main round and a draw was what they got. The match was even from start to finish and it was only at the beginning of the second half that Angola made a breakthrough and 15-14 soon became 19-14. But Iceland recovered and the last quarter offered great drama. Both teams called timeouts in the closing minutes, but with just over 30 seconds remaining, Iceland made a foul turnover and received a two-minute ejection as the team trailed 25–26. Sandra Erlingsdottir scored with just under ten seconds remaining and leveled the score. But in the end it was Angola who advanced to the main round, while Iceland fell on the goal line and instead has to play the President’s Cup.
The match between France and Slovenia started evenly and the teams exchanged goals with each other. At half-time, France led by only two balls and it was still uncertain who would take home the victory. At the start of the second half, however, France made a breakthrough and 17–15 soon became 21–16. The Franciscans continued to push the pace and the lead kept getting bigger. The match already felt decided in the last ten minutes and France’s victory means that the team has taken the full pot in the group stage. Both France and Slovenia were ready for the main round before tonight’s match.
Group F
Iran scored the first goal, a historic moment for them, when Nastaran Koudzarifarahani netted after 46 seconds. But after that it was Japan who were superior and scored 18 straight goals. Iran never had a chance to reverse Japan’s lead. It didn’t take many seconds for Japan to score in their attacking play and their defensive play cannot be faulted, with the team only conceding ten balls in 60 minutes. Japan secured its biggest ever victory in a World Cup context and therefore advances to the main round. Iran, on the other hand, can hope for a better performance in the President’s Cup.
Germany got off to the best start, taking a 4–0 lead. After that, it was still Germany who had the upper hand and kept the lead until half time. In the second half, Germany continued to be well at the back and Poland had difficulty scoring forwards, which resulted in Germany being able to pull away further. With her seven goals in this match, middle six Alina Grijseels was the top scorer. Both Germany and Poland were already ready for the main round. But after tonight’s match, it is clear that Germany won the group.
Group H
It was Congo who got off to the best start, thanks in large part to center six Fanta Diagouraga and right winger Neida Klenn Divoko Kangou. But when Kangou got injured, Congo started to struggle in their game and Argentina caught up. After that, the teams played evenly and at half-time only one ball separated the teams. It was only when there were ten minutes left that one of the teams pulled away. Argentina were clearly stronger and perhaps a little more experienced, when they sailed away after four straight goals and secured the victory. Congo will have to settle for games in the President’s Cup, while Argentina secured a place in the main round.
The Netherlands and the Czech Republic started the match evenly matched. Although Petra Kudláčková stood well in goal, the Netherlands could make a slight push. It was largely due to the Czech Republic’s technical errors in the offensive. In the last ten minutes of the half, Yara Ten Holte closed again and the Netherlands went into the break with a six-goal lead. In the second half, however, the Czech Republic’s attacking play looked all the more lively and the team started to catch up. However, the Czech Republic lost focus in the middle of the half and the Netherlands, driven by Nikita Van Der Vliet and Bo Van Wetering, were able to pull away properly. The Netherlands’ victory means that the team tops the group. Both Hungary and the Netherlands were through for the main round before tonight’s meeting.
VM 4 december:
Group B
Cameroon–Paraguay 26–23 (12–12)
Montenegro–Hungary 24–18 (7–10)
Group D
Angola–Island 26–26 (15–14)
France–Slovenia 31–27 (17–15)
Group F
Japan–Iran 42–10 (20–3)
Germany–Poland 33–17 (19–10)
Group H
Argentina–Kongo 31–26 (14–15)
Netherlands–Czech Republic 33–20 (14–8)
2023-12-04 22:18:35
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