After losses in both rounds one and two, Tunisia and Japan will be on the hunt for their first victories at the 2019 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship when they open Group A on Friday 19 July in Vigo. 

Following the first clash of the day for the group, U20 EHF EURO 2018 champions Slovenia will aim to extend their winning run versus the USA, before Spain and Serbia close the day in the final round three match for Group A. 

GROUP A
Feature match: Tunisia vs Japan
As Travesas Sports Hall, 16:30 local time 

Tunisia and Japan both enter the court determined to take their first win at Spain 2019 – and the result is sure to be a highly entertaining match between two sides that have shown great quality but come up short against their opponents so far. 

Both teams have played the European champions in this age group, Slovenia, and lost by seven goals. For Tunisia, that game opened their campaign, and finished with a final result of 32:25 after a half-time score of 17:14. Japan played Slovenia in round two, suffering a 22:29 defeat following a 12:16 deficit at the break. 

In their other matches so far, the two teams lost to different European teams – Japan to Serbia, 19:21 (9:9) in round one, while Tunisia were beaten by hosts Spain 20:26 (8:15) in round two. 

The strikingly similar results against Slovenia are a clear indicator that Tunisia and Japan will be well-matched opponents. The two have been unlucky not to take wins so far, and that fact is likely due only to their draw, which pitted them against some of the toughest opponents in the group early on. 

Not only did both play Slovenia, but Tunisia had to take on hosts Spain, with the squad that finished as runners-up at the 2017 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship then fifth at the U20 EHF EURO last summer. Serbia placed eighth at the EURO after an 18th place at Georgia 2017. 

For both Tunisia and Japan, the first two rounds of matches were always going to be challenging, so it is now that they have the chance to step up to collect their first set of two points. 

“Slovenia are one of the candidates for medal and that was reflected on the court. Despite having fought, in the end, we could not add the victory. Tomorrow we have to win to get into the fight to be in the second round,” said Japan’s Rennesuke Tokuda after their defeat on Thursday. Japan have one advantage over Tunisia – an earlier playing time in round two, which meant a touch more rest before the second consecutive match day for the group. 

Slovenia, Spain and Serbia aim to extend winning runs

Following the Tunisia versus Japan match, the USA will take their turn facing European champions Slovenia, at 18:30 local time. It seems the odds are well in favour of Slovenia, though if USA goalkeeper Rene Ingram is at his best, it is clear he can be a danger to any team’s chances. 

In the final round three match for Group A, Spain and Serbia will follow Slovenia in hoping to add a third win from three games – but one of their winning runs will end on Friday. That match begins at 21:00 local time in Vigo.