The opening
2018 IHF Women’s Junior (U20) World Championship semi-final saw a dominant win
for Norway, who fell behind Russia initially but claimed the upper hand late in
the first half and powered to a decisive victory. It is the first time Russia
will miss the final of the Women’s Junior World Championship since 2012, after
taking the silver medal in both 2014 and 2016.
Hungary
followed Norway with a five-goal win over Republic of Korea, setting up a
rematch of their Group A encounter – won by the hosts – with the Scandinavian
side to decide the title.
Semi-final:
Russia vs Norway 23:30 (12:14)
Nothing went
right for Russia in the opening Hungary 2018 semi-final, while Norway’s game fell
perfectly into place. Russia’s 2016 Youth World Championship-winning initially took
the lead but once Norway snatched it from them, the Scandinavian side’s strength
only increased as the minutes ticked by.
Norway’s 6-0
defence stood solid against Russia’s desperate attack, which was far below its
usual level of organisation and quality. Russia looked like they hardly knew
what to do at the Scandinavian side’s end of the court, losing the ball all too
often on shots that should not have been taken and trying to reach the line
player with easily intercepted passes. After Russia led through the opening Norway
equalised at 6:6 as the first quarter came to a close, and by the 20th minute,
Norway had taken the advantage.
Norway took
a two-goal lead into the break, at which point it was still anyone’s game, but
Russia simply had no answer in the second 30 minutes. In defence, Russia
changed from 6-0 to 3-3 to 5-1, but no matter what they tried, they could not
stop Norway from creating a considerable difference in their favour. Norway’s
keeper Sofie Ege Gronlund was in excellent form behind the defence, and when
she made a great save on a wing shot in the 44th minute to keep her side in
front 21:14, the outcome appeared already decided.
Russia kept
trying to find their game, right through to the final buzzer, but there was nothing
to be done – the game simply belonged to Norway.
Semi-final:
Hungary vs Republic of Korea 30:25 (14:11)
It seems
nothing can stop Hungary at their home World Championship. Though they faced a
strong challenge from Republic of Korea in the semi-final, Hungary powered to a
three-goal lead at half-time and had little trouble holding on to take the
victory at the buzzer. With an incredible atmosphere in Hall Fonix behind them,
the Hungary bench could hardly contain their celebration until the buzzer, as
their players struggled to remain on the bench with the prospect of the sure
win approaching.
Korea kept
the game level for a long time, and it was a quality contest throughout with
the record Asian champions always threatening to close the gap. One of Hungary’s
strengths in the tournament has been their team of goalkeepers, with Petra
Hlogyik, Sara Suba and Boglarka Bino proving themselves essentially interchangeable
and each with the ability to have an impact on the game.
The hosts
started the semi-final with Hlogyik in goal, and she made many impressive saves
before being replaced by Bino in the 43rd minute. Just as she did in the
quarter-final, Bino made several important saves, including a crucial penalty
in the 50th minute that kept the home team in front 25:21, and another in the
54th with Hungary 28:22 in the lead. The outcome of the game was clear minutes
before the last whistle, when Hungary celebrated qualification for what is
their fourth Junior World Championship final.