2018 Beach Handball World Championships: day 2 to define participants for main round
Day 2 of the IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships became the landmark for the participating teams to proceed to the main and consolation rounds of the tournament. It should be noted that several debutants of the World Championships will continue to vie for the title – the Swedish and Vietnamese men’s sides qualified for the main round.
The schedule of Day 2 was less stressful for the national teams, which had to play their concluding matches in the group round. After that they could relax before the next round. During the morning session eight matches were played, and it started with the clash of the debutants: the men’s team of Vietnam faced the one of New Zealand. The Asian side was luckier than the rival in the shootout. This victory enabled the Vietnamese to make it to the main round of their inaugural Worlds. The expressive players of New Zealand earned zero points after three matches and will play in the consolation round.
In the same group Team Spain also beat the Hungarians in the shootout and took the first place in the group. Uruguay qualified for the next round. The South Americans defeated Argentina in the shootout with the score 2-1 and continue to compete for the medals. The reigning world champion – the Croats –whitewashed Iran, but both squads made it to the next stage. Thus, the first group of six men’s teams for the main round of the World Championships was decided - Croatia, Uruguay, Iran, Spain, Hungary, and Vietnam. New Zealand and Argentina will play in the consolation round.
The women’s teams competed in four more morning session matches. By the way, the favourites of Day 1 underpinned their position and pulled away from the underdogs. So Team Spain and Team Poland confidently beat Australia and Uruguay respectively. Greece and Chinese Taipei had to try their hardest to defeat Paraguay and France. The French lost only one point to the Chinese who knocked them out of the main round. The fact that Paraguay had one victory on Day 1 let them qualify for the next round of the tournament. The first group of the teams, taking aim at the title, was determined, too: Spain, Greece, Paraguay, Poland, Chinese Taipei, and Uruguay. The French and Australian sides finished last in their groups and will play in the World Championships consolation round.
The evening session started with two matches of the men’s event. The Australians lost to the Danes in a fierce battle, whereas Qatar vs Oman turned out to be a tougher duel. After the Asian powerhouses won one period each, they nearly had the most lasting shootout during these World Championships. Finally the national team of Oman celebrated the victory – they topped Group C. The Swedes finished the group stage with 100 percent result – they secured the third win over the Americans in the shootout.
Brazil vs Russia wrapped up the men’s competition of the day. Being careful about defence, the host team played a smart match against the four-time title holders who got nervous. Gil Pires, participating in six editions of the world championships, failed to net a 6-metre shot, and the Russians scored at a proper time. In the end, the victory of the Russian national team over the Brazilians with the score 2-0 stirred a sensation of the group round. Qatar, Oman, Denmark, Sweden, Russia and Brazil made it through to the main round, Australia and the USA settling for the consolation round.
In the women’s event, Teams Vietnam and Norway beat Mexico and Denmark respectively. The Asian players were a little bit luckier in the shootout, whereas the Norwegians disposed of their opponents in two periods. The tournament perspective for the Danes was not marred by their loss. Alongside Team Vietnam and Team Norway, they will perform in the main round. Russia and the USA clashed at the central court a little later. The hosts won both periods by a double lead and secured a berth in next round. In the concurrent match the Brazilians overwhelmed Team Thailand. The three squads will continue to compete in the main round. The Americans and Mexicans ceased to vie for the trophy, waiting for the consolation matches.