The final session of the penultimate day of action at the 2024 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships saw the semi-finals, plus the first games of the 5-8, 9-12 and 13-16 Placement Rounds take place at the 'Pingtan International Beach Sports Base' on Pingtan Island, People's Republic of China on Saturday (22 June).

By the end of the day, the two finals were known – in the women’s competition, Argentina will face Germany, while in the men’s competition Croatia will play Denmark in a repeat of the 2022 final.

Argentina women make final and history, world champions Germany squeeze through to join them

“We came here to win nine matches, so that's what we're going to do,” said Argentina’s Gisella Bonomi after her side defeated the Netherlands 2-1 (14:19, 27:20, SO 8:6) on Saturday night. 

Having finished no higher than seventh in their previous world championship appearances, they now have a guaranteed medal, top two finish and will also be returning to China for the 2025 edition of The World Games, set to be held in Chengdu.

The difference in the two sets for Argentina was noticeable. A slick Dutch side touched on 90% shooting accuracy early on as the South American defence could not deal with the attacking threat, particularly from Anna Buter, currently lying second in the top-scoring charts (155 points).

Buter led her side to a 19:14 victory, but the second set was a completely different story as Argentina came back after a calming half-time team talk from coach Leticia Brunati. Suddenly, the Dutch were making mistakes, unable to score as the South American side flowed freely across the sand making every shot count. 

The Dutch were unsettled and this was evidenced when Rianne Mol was given a suspension and then disqualification inside 60 seconds.

And so, it went to shoot-out, the drama heightened by Isobel Barnard missing the opening shot for the Dutch. This put Argentina in the ascendancy as they scored all of their subsequent throws to set up Lucila Balsas for the single-point winner (at 6:4 ahead with one shot left from the Netherlands) – but her long-range shot into an open goal hit the goal-line and bounced back out. 

This gave the Netherlands hope, Manon Zijlmans scoring to make it 6:6, but Fiorella Corimberto finally sealed the deal, sinking home to make it 8:6.

In the other semi-final, title-holders Germany hung on in a tight game to defeat Denmark 2-1 (25:22, 20:21, SO 9:8).

“Firstly, it's crazy that we managed to get to the final again,” said Germany defender Sophie Kirsten Walter after the match. “We haven't been the most confident in the shoot-out during the tournament, but it's unbelievable. I was right now on the court. I was like; ‘f*ck, okay, tomorrow, we're in the finals’, we are bringing 120% into the match tomorrow and we are really, really happy and excited about it.”

In the 5-8 Placement Round, Spain beat Croatia (2-0) and Portugal beat Brazil (2-1). Greece saw off Norway (2-1) and Vietnam won the continental derby against Philippines (2-1) in the 9-12 Placement Round, while Australia defeated the USA (2-0) and China defeated Puerto Rico (2-0) in the 13-16 Placement Round.

Croatia and Denmark men battle for gold in second, successive world championship final

Germany’s men were unable to join their women’s team in the gold medal matches at China 2024, as a golden goal from Joachim Trend Hansen helped his Denmark side to a 2-0 (25:18, 21:20) win over their neighbours.

“I mean, that doesn't matter for me at all,” said Hansen about scoring the winning goal. “What matters to me is that last year, in the European Championship, we lost in the semi-final to Germany so being able to come out on top a year against them at the world championship is just amazing.”

Croatia confirmed their fifth, consecutive final – after appearing in every one since 2014 (2014, 2016, 2018, 2022) and winning two of them – thanks to their 2-0 (27:24, 22:14) win over Portugal, who are appearing in just their second world championship.

“I was 110% sure we're going to the final and we just needed the right settings,” said Croatia’s Valentino Valentakovic. “From the start, in defence, it was not the right setting so we changed it quickly and the attack was perfect. Everything fell in place perfectly.

“It's always exciting and a special feeling to play in front of the full stadium and represent Croatia once again and go to the best of the best.”

In the 5-8 Placement Round, Spain defeated Argentina 2-0 (25:20, 23:20) and Brazil won via shoot-out against Hungary 2-1 (22:17, 22:23, SO 17:16). The 9-12 Placement Round saw Uruguay (26:20, 26:20) defeat China 2-0 and Asian champions Qatar beat African champions Tunisia 2-1 (20:18, 18:22, SO 7:6).

The 13-16 Placement Round saw the USA beat Oman 2-1 (21:29, 23:22, SO 10:7) and 19 points from Damien Grieg helped his Australian side to a 2-1 (22:26, 25:18, SO 7:4) win over Puerto Rico.

Results (afternoon/evening session) – Saturday 22 June 2024

Men’s Competition

Semi-Finals
CRO vs POR 2-0 (27:24, 22:14)
DEN vs GER 2-0 (25:18, 21:20)

13-16 Placement Round
USA vs OMA 2-1 (21:29, 23:22, SO 10:7)
PUR vs AUS 1-2 (26:22, 18:25, SO 4:7)

9-12 Placement Round
CHN vs URU 0-2 (20:26, 20:26)
TUN vs QAT 1-2 (18:20, 22:18, SO 6:7)

5-8 Placement Round
ARG vs ESP 0-2 (20:25, 20:23)
HUN vs BRA 1-2 (17:22, 23:22, SO 16:17)

Women’s Competition

Semi-Finals
DEN vs GER 1-2 (22:25, 21:20, SO 8:9)
ARG vs NED 2-1 (14:19, 27:20, SO 8:6)

13-16 Placement Round
PUR vs CHN 0-2 (22:24, 20:25)
AUS vs USA 2-0 (23:16, 22:13)

9-12 Placement Round
PHI vs VIE 1-2 (20:24, 24:20, SO 4:7)
GRE vs NOR 2-1 (25:16, 22:23, SO 8:6)

5-8 Placement Round
CRO vs ESP 0-2 (14:25, 17:27)
BRA vs POR 1-2 (28:24, 20:23, SO 10:12)