With only the top four in each group progressing through to the quarter-finals, the final matchday of the preliminary round of the women’s beach handball competition at the ANOC World Beach Games – Qatar 2019 will provide the final answers as to which teams will play each other in the last eight.

Just six games remain in the morning session, which finishes after the conclusion of the final games which throw-off at 1040hrs (local time). 

Featured Match: Group B – Poland vs China (0900hrs)

Only one place remains up for grabs in the quarter-finals of the women's competition and it is a straight duel for it between these two teams with the only other team able to catch them on points, Australia, having a worst period difference and having lost their head-to-head against the European and Asian sides.

The sixth place Poland registered at the 2018 IHF Women's Beach Handball World Championship in Kazan, Russia, seems a long way away now as, like their Asian continental champion rivals, have only one against Australia and lost to Greece, Spain and Vietnam.

However, one look at the games at Qatar 2019 so far reveals that the European side have performed better, with their losses both coming via shoot-outs, to the 2018 world champions Greece (21:20, 14:18, SO 5:9) and 2016 world champions Spain (7:16, 16:12, SO 6:7). Australian while China were beaten 2-0 by both.

Poland had a combined points total of 34:24 against Australia in their only win, while China had a narrower 32:27 victory.

But prior matches mean little for both of these teams in the early morning match as it is clear - win and you are in, lose and that dream of podium dies.

Rankings to be decided

In the other matches in group B, there is another straightforward duel for first place with the winner of the two 100% teams, Greece and Spain playing each other for the top spot, while Vietnam can seal third place with a win over Australia who will be looking to end their group campaign with some points.

In group A, the USA or Tunisia will get their first points when they face each other, although both are already out of contention for a medal. There are some maths involved for the final rankings with Brazil and their perfect record of four wins with eight periods won a target for the strong Danish side and Hungary taking on Argentina.

Follow the ANOC World Beach Games – Qatar 2019 HERE.

Match Schedule: Women’s Competition – Sunday 13 October 2019

Morning Session

Group B
0900    GRE vs ESP
0900    AUS vs VIE
0900    POL vs CHN

Group A
1040    BRA vs DEN
1040    HUN vs ARG
1040    USA vs TUN