Saturday (9 August) saw all eight men’s and women’s quarter-final match-ups decided as the preliminary group stage concluded at The World Games Chengdu 2025.

All 16 teams now move into the last eight, with all games to be played on Sunday (10 August).

To follow beach handball at The World Games, click HERE.

Three wins out of three for Argentina and Germany who look strong in China

The World Games title-holders Germany and World Championship silver medallists Argentina continued their fine form on the shore of Xinglong Lake in Chengdu with both teams recorded their third, consecutive win in as many days.

Gisella Bonomi may be known as a ‘golden player’ in Argentina thanks to her part in her sides’ 2018 Youth Olympic Games gold medal on home sand in Buenos Aires seven years ago, but she struck gold again – this time with a golden goal in the first set against host nation China, her 15 points making her the top-scorer for her side in a 2-0 (21:20, 28:8) victory featuring two contrasting sets.

Yi Pan scored 10 for the home nation, the young player one of many in a squad looking to the future – and impressing – in Chengdu.

“The two sets were really different,” said Argentina coach Leticia Brunati to ihf.info. “In the first set, our defence was not really good. We didn't recover any balls, our goalkeeper was not sure, so it was very difficult. But in our attack, we played well and Lulu was incredible, as usual.

“At half-time I looked to see how the players react,” she added. “They were very calm, so then I tried to get calm again and explain the plan for the players. In the second set, the defence and attack was better.”

Croatia finally got off of the mark at The World Games Chengdu 2025, securing their first win at the event since 20 July 2009 – the last time they qualified. That victory was against Brazil in the semi-finals then but today, it was a Kristina Smiljanic golden goal in the first set, along with 12 points from Lara Miholic who helped them overcome debutants Portugal 2-0 (15:14, 18:14).

“The match was very difficult, playing against a really good team. They have a lot of individuals that have played for their national team a long time, so they're a good squad. We did a good analysis and now is the time to show that we deserve to be here and that we deserve a good placement in the quarter-finals.”

A third match to feature a golden goal saw Germany’s Pauline Borrmann grab the magic moment against Denmark to grab a 23:22 second set win, adding to their first 20:14 win.

Denmark’s Ida Winding had initially tied up the second 10 minutes (22:22), with Germany’s Emma Pilz seeing her shot saved. Winding then had hers saved by Nele Kurzke before Lena Klingler saw her shot blocked. 

“It’s a great feeling,” said Germany captain Kirsten Walter to ihf.info about finishing top of their preliminary group. “It’s what we wanted to achieve; to get the first in a preliminary round in order to get the last-placed team from the other group and to have a good position in the quarter-finals. So, right now, we're a bit relieved. The second set was quite tight, with the golden goal in the end, but we secured the whole game and I'm pretty happy now and looking forward already for tomorrow.”

Asian champions Vietnam came close to an upset against the European champions Spain, as they lost out via shoot-out 2-1 (24:17, 24:26, SO 9:8). After both sides missed in the first round of shots (Alba Diaz Gonzalez for Spain, Ngoc Trinh for Vietnam), it went to sudden death. Vietnam went first, but goalkeeper Thi Nhung Nguyen was penalised for holding the ball too long, the ball was turned over and Spain’s Mireia Torras Parera sunk home the single point. Jimena Laguna Contreras scored 20 points for the Spanish.

With all preliminary group games now completed in the women’s competition, the final standing of both group A and B are known. Germany won group A with three wins from three and six points, Spain finish second (4 points), Denmark third (2) and Vietnam fourth (0).

Argentina won group B with six points, followed by three teams all with one win and two points each, split by sets and their head-to-head records. Croatia finished second (3 sets for, 4 against, -1 difference), Portugal (3/4/-2) and China (2/5/-3).

Spain and Brazil end preliminary group with perfect records, Croatia make history for the wrong reasons

Gonzalo Cervera’s 18 points helped Spain on their way to a 2-0 (20:18, 24:11) win over Tunisia to ensure they topped group B, while the other result in the group saw 24 points from Martin Andersen help Denmark to a 2-0 (27:20, 32:16) win over China.

With all games concluded in preliminary group B it left Spain on top with three wins from three (6 points, Denmark second (4), Tunisia third (2) and China bottom (0).

But group A was where all the drama was, The World Games title-holders Croatia ending the preliminary stage with three losses out of three after Portugal beat them 2-0 (24:22, 25:20). It is the first time in the history of the event that Croatia have recorded this result, going back to their debut at The World Games in 2005 and being ever-presents since.

For debutants Portugal, it represented another milestone on their ongoing journey to become one of the top beach handball teams in the world.

“The feeling is incredible. We are doing a great, great tournament so far. Our team is growing a lot and improving after each game. It's really a very good feeling to feel the support of my team and to feel the union that we have,” said Portugal’s Diogo Ferreira to ihf.info.

“Croatia are very good. The game was won in the details. We have a very good quality, and were very focused. And when we are confident and playing with this confidence, with the quality that we have, we are very hard to beat.”

There was drama between the newly-crowned European championship Germany and The World Games ever-present Brazil. After a clear 30:18 first set victory for the South Americans, Brazil won the second 21:20 via golden goal after they had won the restart and the game was paused due to an injury. The shoot-out saw Germany Janis Herr and Lennart Wormann both miss, allowing Brazil’s Bruno Oliveira – as usual – the chance to win it, which he did.

This ensured the South Americans finished top of their group with six points, followed by Portugal (4), Germany (2) and Croatia (0).

The World Games Chengdu 2025 – Beach Handball: Day 3 results

Friday 8 August 

Preliminary Group

Women’s Competition
ARG vs CHN 2-0 (21:20, 28:8)
POR vs CRO 0-2 (14:15, 14:18)
GER vs DEN 2-0 (20:14, 23:22)
ESP vs VIE 2-1 (24:17, 24:26, SO 9:8)

Men’s Competition
CRO vs POR 0-2 (22:24, 20:25)
GER vs BRA 1-2 (30:18, 20:21, SO 6:9)
DEN vs CHN 2-0 (27:20, 32:16)
ESP vs TUN 2-0 (20:18, 24:11)