After two consecutive losses, Romania bounced back with a big win against Egypt, 32:23, ending the main round on a high and heading to the Placement Matches 9-12.

MAIN ROUND
GROUP I
Romania vs Egypt 32:23 (16:7)

Egypt proved to be a difficult team to play against throughout the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, but the African side were always relying on good starts, as they blew hot and cold during crucial matches, as proven against both Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Therefore, the start of the match was fundamental for their performance, especially for their confidence, and against Romania, in the last match of the main round, Egypt were missing in action, scoring their first goal after only nine minutes and 11 seconds. By that time, Romania were already 6:0 up.

It was a huge blow for Egypt, which then conceded three more goals, as the score balooneed to 9:2 and it was, basically, game over, with Romania expertly dispatching all their weapons, including right back Anamaria Grigore, right wing Mihaela Mihai and line player Cristina Irimia, with more balance in their attack.

Overloading their backs was an issue for Romania in the previous matches, but without too much pressure on their shoulders they could play more freely, as proven at the end of the first half, when the European side had a nine-goal lead, 16:7, and were heading towards another important win at North Macedonia 2024.

As Romania shuffled their team in the second part of the match, with 10 outfield players plus goalkeeper Ioana Niță scoring at least one goal, there was no question about the winner, with Egypt getting no closer than eight goals, 20:12, on the scoreboard, despite the African side using a seven-on-six attack for large parts of the second half.

Eventually, as Romania had their best performance in the competition, with a 65% shooting efficiency, while also causing 23 turnovers for Egypt’s attack, the European side snapped a two-match losing streak, to secure a 32:23 win, their second-biggest win at North Macedonia 2024.

As Romania secured their third win in five matches, they finished third in Group I, behind the Netherlands and Switzerland, and will feature in the Placement Match 9-12, where they face either Germany or the People’s Republic of China, whichever team will finish third in Group III.

On the other hand, Egypt have finished fourth and head to the Placement Matches 13-16, where they face the fourth-placed side in Group III.

Alkaloid Player of the Match: Irina-Andreea Maxim (Romania)