For the second edition of the IHF Women's Junior World Championship in a row, Netherlands progressed to the semi-finals, as they had the upper hand against Sweden and earned a well-deserved win, 25:21, in the end. 

QUARTER-FINAL 
Netherlands vs Sweden 25:21 (14:8)

Two years ago at Slovenia 2022, the two sides met in the bronze medal match, as Netherlands won to claim the third place. Once again, the Dutch team secured a win against their Scandinavian opponents and retained a chance to earn a medal at North Macedonia 2024, winning by four goals, after controlling the match from start to finish.

Nine minutes into the match, the rivals were still tied at 3:3, but then the Netherlands started to pull clear. Their goalkeeping had been good in previous matches, but now Bianca Schanssema did one better and boasted an impressive 56% saving rate in the first half, restricting Sweden to just a meagre 31% shot efficiency.

Netherlands used a 4:0 run to pull clear at 7:3 midway through the first half, and they only extended the gap in the remaining time before the break. Sweden scored just eight goals in the opening 30 minutes, and their goalkeepers did not shine, either, so Netherlands' six-goal gap looked to be unassailable.

But after the restart, Elia Johansson in the Swedish goal started to show her impact, and Netherlands scored their first goal in the second half only in the 38th minute. However, the Scandinavian team's attack still was far from perfect, so the Dutch side maintained a clear lead throughout the match.

Johansson ended the game with 11 saves and a 46% save rate, which was even better than Schanssema's impressive 45% efficiency. Between minutes 47 and 55, Sweden did not concede any goals, but only slightly cut the deficit, to 21:17, due to their attack failing to deliver the needed impetus to mount a comeback. The four-goal gap stayed until the final whistle, as Netherlands secured a semi-final berth, with a 25:21 win. Line player Romée Maarschalkerweerd became their best scorer, with seven goals from eight attempts. 

Alkaloid Player of the Match: Bianca Schanssema, Netherlands