The United States of America finally got off of the mark at the 2019 IHF Men’s Junior World Championship with a win against the also previously-winless Australians in the first round of matches in the 21-24 Placement Round.

The win is their first-ever at an IHF Men’s Junior World Championship after they lost all six of their games back in 1989 at their only previous appearance – also in Spain. It also is the second time the USA have beaten Australia at a global IHF event in three months after their 31:20 victory at the 2019 IHF Men’s Trophy Intercontinental Phase in Kosovo back in April.

Placement Round 21-24
United States of America vs Australia 31:18 (15:10)
As Travesas Sports Hall, Vigo

The USA only named 15 players in their squad for the clash against Australia after Jakov Kutlesa was left out following a concussion earlier in the tournament, but Australia know all about a depleted squad having played the whole competition with just 14 players.

The team from Oceania had held a lead until the seventh minute (4:3) but the USA came back to lead 15:10 at the break thanks mainly to a 5:0 run in a 10-minute spell (16-25th minute), five goals from Amar Amitovic and four out of four from Paul Skorupa, who would end as the USA’s top-scorer on seven goals in the match.

As usual, USA coach Julio Sainz gave his goalkeepers a half each with IFK Kristianstad-bound Rene Ingram making six saves in the first period to ensure that five-goal lead.

Henrik Georges in the Australian goal had done his bit too with five first-half saves, but with a top-score of four from Liam McCourt in the opening period, the Aussies could not find the net as easily as the Americans.

By the 37th minute it appeared all over for Ricki Lyngsoe’s Australians, but they fought back with purpose, going on a 4:0 run to make for an interesting last quarter with the USA up by just three (20:17).

Sainz then took a time out as the momentum appeared to be shifting, with the well-supported sides’ fans taking turns to create an early-morning atmosphere normally unseen at this stage of competition.

But Australia could not keep up the pressure as the last quarter saw them go from three-down to 13 down as they managed just one more Liam McCourt strike in a 11:1 run against them.

30 years ago, the United States of America debuted at the IHF Men’s Junior World Championship, also held in Galicia in Spain, with the USA losing in the first round group in Orense to Romania (36:10), the former Soviet Union (39:16) and Austria (36:13), and then in their second round group in Redondela to Egypt (33:19), Algeria (35:13) and the former Czechoslovakia (51:15).

“We are extremely happy not only because of the historical win, but with the team’s progression from day one of the tournament to today,” said Julio Sainz in a statement to the IHF.info. “At the end of the day that is what is important for us: progression. 

“The victory against Australia is testimony to what we are trying to accomplish here at the world championship; we want to remain competitive and gain as much experience as possible.

“Australia was a fantastic rival, with a lot of potential with such a young group of players and we therefore thank them for being such a good rival,” he continued. “Now it is up to us to continue growing as a programme, and to continue to be a consistent participant in these type of tournaments.”

The USA will now play Argentina in the 21/22 placement match tomorrow, while Australia face Kosovo in the 23/24 placement match.

Best Player of the Match: Amir Benjamin Seifert (USA)