Stopping an 11-game losing streak on the court, Tunisia secured second place in Group II of the President’s Cup with a clear 35:28 win against Paraguay.

The African side will face the second place from Group I in the 27/28 Placement Match, as Paraguay are set to play against the third-placed team in Group I for the 29/30 Placement Match.

PRESIDENT’S CUP GROUP II
Tunisia vs Paraguay 35:28 (17:11)

After PR of China’s withdrawal from the 25th IHF Women’s World Championship, Tunisia broke their 11-game losing streak in the competition, as their last match on the court in the world’s top handball competition was won six years ago, at Germany 2015.

Therefore, the motivation was clear as day when they took up the court in the Poliesportiu Pla de L'Arc in Llíria against Paraguay, with a clear goal in mind, securing the win against the South American side and clinching second place in Group II, which was already won by Slovakia.

While the lead changed three times in the first 10 minutes, it was clear that Tunisia were stronger, finding easier way to goals, with Paraguay conceding too many turnovers that could have been avoided.

Backed by an outstanding goalkeeper in Fadia Omrani, who produced seven saves for a 44% saving efficiency in the first half, Tunisia deployed a 6:0 run, that took the score to 10:5 and served as the backbone of their win.

Right wing Nada Zelfani was nothing short of superb in the first half, adding four goals to her tally, as Paraguay’s coach Nery Vera asked for an early time-out and directed his players to strengthen their defence and reset their minds after turning the ball over 10 times.

It went from bad to worse for Paraguay, whose meagre 35% attacking efficiency did not keep them in the game, with Tunisia running away with a 17:11 lead at the break.

Even though the South American team improved in the second half, as reliable left wing Fatima Acuna, who also got the hummel Player of the Match award, and back Maria Fernandez combined for 15 goals, it was too little too late for Paraguay.

Omrani continued to shut the door time and time again for Tunisia, finishing the match with an outstanding tally of 17 saves and a 40% efficiency, one of the best performances by a goalkeeper at Spain 2021.

It left Tunisia with nothing to do than enjoy a 35:28 win, their first on the court in the competition and their second at the 25th IHF Women’s World Championship. It was backed by a superb outing from back Sondes Hachana Ep Kerkeni, who scored eight goals, securing their best performance in years in the competition.

With Slovakia winning against their three opponents in the first three games and sealing first place in the President’s Cup Group II, Tunisia finished second with four points, and will now meet the second-placed team from Group I in the 27/28 Placement Match.

Paraguay, who could boast only one win at Spain 2021 in six matches, against China, will have another chance to double that tally in Llíria on 15 December, when they meet the third-placed side in Group I for the 29/30 Placement Match. 

hummel Player of the Match: Fatima Acuna, Paraguay

Photo: RFEBM / J. Navarro