The penultimate day of action at the 2024 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships sees the quarter-finals and semi-finals, plus the 9-16 Placement Round, take place at the 'Pingtan International Beach Sports Base' on Pingtan Island, People's Republic of China on Saturday (22 June).

The day is split into two sessions: quarter-finals and 9-16 Placement Round matches in the morning and the semi-finals and 5-8, 9-12 and 13-16 Placement Round matches in the later afternoon/evening session.

For all matches on Day 5, including the updated placement round and semi-finals, see the end of this article.

First semi-final stage since 2004 to not feature Brazil as South Americans medal run comes to an end

Three of the four men’s quarter-finals went to shoot-outs as the action heated up in blisteringly-hot condition on Pingtan Island on Friday early afternoon.

In the biggest shock of the day Portugal, who only made their IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship at Greece 2022, finishing a respectable 10th, defeated all-time record-holders Brazil.

Now, this time the Portuguese will finish with nothing lower than fourth. It marks an incredible rise up the global scale for the Portuguese, having finished in the same position at their home European Championship last year. 

But, perhaps, more incredible than that achievement was that they knocked out the all-time history-makers in the sport who have medalled in the last eight world championships and who boasted the best defence (178 points conceded in six games) going into the game.

As the first set entered its final minute at 10:10, the stage was set for an exciting final 60 seconds and it did not disappointment as the Europeans took a four-point lead (14:10) after two goals and a block to see it out, despite the best efforts of the Brazilians.

The South Americans found themselves four down again midway through the second period (6:10), but in a show of their strength and experience, they found themselves in the lead (14:12) three minutes later, taking the set 19:14.

And so it went to shots. With both sides missing one each in the first five, it ended 8:8, and Portugal threw-off the second set of five, through Tiago Costa, putting the pressure on Brazil’s Gil Pires, but his shot was saved by Tomas Van-Zeller and Portugal were in and Brazil were out.

However, men’s history was not limited to Portugal, as Germany made the semi-finals too, defeating Spain in their clash to ensure that they beat their previous highest – and only – ranking of eighth from 2008. They saw off Spain via shoot-out, 2-1 (27:20, 26:27, SO 9:8) , despite having the chance to win the second set in the last seconds, instead hitting the post and then again, in the golden goal period, missing a penalty shot through Robin John.

In the shoot-out, Sergio Jose Venegas Rodriguez’s miss proved costly with John redeeming himself, scoring the single-pointer to send his team through.

World champions Croatia beat European champions Hungary via shoot-out 2-1 (27:26, 16:21, SO 8:6) after Patrik Vizes mishandled a pass from Laszlo Nahaj, earlier, Croatia’s Filip Hancic had saved from Norbert Attila Gyene.

The fourth quarter-final saw Argentina fall short of making their own history, going down 2-0 (21:16, 18:17) against Denmark. Their dream died after a single point at the end of the second set was punished by a Martin Andersen penalty

The Placement Round saw the hosts China beat USA (2-0), a Santy Rodriguez single-point ensure a 7:6 shoot-out win for Uruguay against Oman, Tunisia defeat Puerto Rico (2-0) and Amir Nowraddine Denguir’s 26 points help Qatar defeat Australia (2-0).

Argentina women win South American derby, world champions Germany squeeze through

2018 Youth Olympic Games gold medal-winning coach Leticia Brunati saw her Argentina side come of age on the biggest stage as they beat their perennial rivals and neighbours Brazil in their continental clash for a place in the last four.

It marked just the second-ever time Argentina have had a national side in the last four of any IHF World Championship in history, coming after Diego Simonet led his side to the 2007 IHF Youth Men’s World Championship semi-final in Bahrain.

Their 13:12 shoot-out win (2-1, 18:19, 26:18, SO 13:12) came thanks to a Agustina Mirotta single-pointer after Beatriz Cruz had hit the post in the second round of shots.

Lucie-Marie Kretzschmer also hit the crossbar in a shoot-out, this time for Germany, but in her case, it was not prove to be the difference as it was a single-point to take the win, but they had another opportunity as her German side eventually dispatched Spain 2-1 (12:17, 19:18, SO 12:10). Belen Gettwart, with 17 points, led the scoring, her final two putting her side 12:10 ahead in the shoot-out which ended in a heartbreaking way for Alba Diaz who was adjudged to have taking too many steps when setting herself for the shot.

With Anna Buter anything is possible and the Netherlands – so close to exiting the competition on Friday – saw their goal of bettering their 2022 bronze stay on track with a one-side victory over Portugal, 2-0 (28:18, 24:20). Buter, who else, top-scored for her side on 18 points. Denmark also saw off Croatia with ease, winning 2-0 (27:22, 22:18) to record their best ranking for 12 years, when they finished with silver in 2012.

In the Placement Round 17 points from Thi My Hang Pham helped Asian champions Vietnam to a 2-0 (28:18, 20:14) win over host nation China, while Aurora Adriano’s 16 points were enough to secure a 2-0 (16:8, 18:16) win over Puerto Rico. 

In the final two games, European nations beat continental champions 2-0, with Norway seeing off North America and the Caribbean title-holders USA (17:14, 24:14) and 2018 world champions Greece defeating Oceania champions, Australia (26:14, 28:8).

All games will be streamed live on the IHF Competitions YouTube chancel (geo-restrictions will apply) click HERE for more information.

Results (morning session) – Saturday 22 June 2024

Men’s Competition

Quarter-Finals
BRA vs POR 1-2 (15:17, 19:14, SO 8:10)
GER vs ESP 2-1 (27:20, 26:27, SO 9:8)
DEN vs ARG 2-0 (21:16, 18:17)
CRO vs HUN 2-1 (27:26, 16:21, SO 8:6)

9-16 Placement Round
USA vs CHN 0-2 (18:19, 22:24)
OMA vs URU 1-2 (19:16, 16:18, SO 6:7)
TUN vs PUR 2-0 (22:16, 19:16)
QAT vs AUS 2-0 (24:12, 24:10)

Women’s Competition

Quarter-Finals
ARG vs BRA 2-1 (18:19, 26:18, SO 13:12)
NED vs POR 2-0 (28:18, 24:20)
DEN vs CRO 2-0 (27:22, 22:18)
ESP vs GER 1-2 (17:12, 18:19, SO 10:12)

9-16 Placement Round
CHN vs VIE 0-2 (18:28, 14:20)
NOR vs USA 2-0 (17:14, 24:14)
PHI vs PUR 2-0 (16:8, 18:16)
GRE vs AUS 2-0 (26:14, 28:8)

Match schedule – Saturday 22 June 2024
all times local

Men’s Competition

13-16 Placement Round
1650 USA vs OMA, PUR vs AUS

9-12 Placement Round
1650 CHN vs URU, TUN vs QAT

5-8 Placement Round
1740 ARG vs ESP, HUN vs BRA

Semi-Finals
1920 CRO vs POR
2010 DEN vs GER

Women’s Competition

13-16 Placement Round
1600 PUR vs CHN, AUS vs USA

9-12 Placement Round
1600 PHI vs VIE, GRE vs NOR

5-8 Placement Round
1740 CRO vs ESP
1830 BRA vs POR

Semi-Finals
1740 DEN vs GER
1830 ARG vs NED