Brazil turned on the style in the end to move up to four points in group IV, beating Republic of Korea to push themselves closer to a final eight place, while the Asian silver medallists cannot now progress through to the quarter-finals.

Main Round, Group IV
Brazil vs Republic of Korea 32:25 (16:11)

A much-improved Korea caused Brazil first-half problems in Dortmund before the South Americans – who downed Sweden in their previous game – pulled together to pull away in this opening group clash of main round, group IV.

Again, Brazil came from behind to win, repeating their victories in this way against Czechia and the Swedes.

An opening five minutes had everything needed for what would be an interesting encounter for 45 minutes as Korea racked up one of the earliest two-minute suspensions of Germany/Netherlands 2025 so far, Boeun Gim being sent to the bench after just 36 seconds.

The game did not welcome its first goal until after three minutes, when Giulia Guarieiro sunk home for the Brazilians but the score would continue to change hands. Brazil went on a 3:0 run to lead 5:2 moments later but Korea came back and then levelled (17th minute, 9:9) before going ahead by one soon after (10:9).

A Korean time out in the 20th (10:10) allowed Brazil to readjust their defence, moving to a 5-1 and it immediately reaped dividends as they went on an incredible defensive performance, preventing Korea from scoring for over 11 minutes (20th-32nd minute) and going on a 6:0 win, the veteran winger Alexandra Priscila Do Nascimento Martinez scoring four times from five attacks.

After the break (16:11), it was time for Korea to go on a run themselves as they brought the score within two (18:16) as their backcourt players stepped up and joined the wings in scoring.

But with Bruna de Paula seemingly everywhere on court – a goal here, a steal there, an assist – she led her side on a 3-0 run to cause an Asian time out (21:16, 42nd minute). 

Korea then moved towards their famed 7v6 attacking formation, but this did little to bring the score down, as de Paula was rotated off, enjoying a well-deserved rest in a dominant performance by her side which were all able to get minutes and push the score further ahead in yet another scoring sequence, which saw them go on a 6:2 run to effectively end the game as a contest (27:18, 49th minute).

hummel Player of the Match: Bruna De Paula (Brazil)