Jang In-ik’s Republic of Korea registered their first win against European opposition at the 2021 IHF Women’s World Championship, defeating the Czech Republic 32:26 at the Palau d’Esports in Granollers.

Their victory means they sit on four points in main round Group III, along with Germany and Denmark, who play later on Wednesday. The Czech Republic sit on zero points, with losses against three of the four teams above them in the group.

MAIN ROUND GROUP III
Czech Republic vs Republic of Korea 26:32 (13:20)

After their 12-goal loss in their first meeting against European opponents at Spain 2021, Korea coach In-ik was quick to point out the “experience” for his “young players” in Granollers.

He promised ihf.info following that Denmark defeat which had come after victories against both Congo and Tunisia that “we’re going to start again and, hopefully, get a better result in the next round”.

That was the case against Czech Republic who travelled from Lliria to Granollers with just a solitary win in their all-European group, against neighbours Slovakia.

But it all went wrong within 10 minutes as coach Jan Basny took his first time out with his side 2:7 down after a 4:0 Korea run between the 5th and 10th minutes. This was mainly thanks to either clinical finishing from the Korean shooters or poor goalkeeping – but the stat of just one save in the first 25 minutes from the Czech pair of Karin Rezacova and Petra Kudlackova spoke volumes about the day the Czech defence was having.

Korea were enjoying their free-flowing handball, a throwback to times gone by with numerous fast-breaks and fast-paced interchanges between Ryu Eun-hee and Lee Migyeong. This was highlighted by the pure joy from Shin Eunjoo when she anticipated a Czech forward pass, stole it, ran most of the court and ended with a composed lob into the back of the net (3:9, 12th minute).

The lead grew and with it, the Czech bench became frantic, but by half-time they were down 13:20.

The ‘Basny effect’ at half-time worked wonders for his side as they opened on a 9:4 scoring run (22:24, 47th minute) but that two-goal difference was as close as they came.

hummel Player of the Match: Lee Migyeong, Republic of Korea