With a clear win against Argentina, 39:21, favourites Hungary opened their participation in the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship 2024 and set the tone for the next matches.

GROUP C
Hungary vs Argentina 39:21 (19:12)

With their vast experience and depth in the squad, Hungary were the favourites before the match and quickly confirmed this status by opening up a three-goal lead (9:6) after just 13 minutes, as the Argentinian defence could not keep up with their fluid attacking play.

Nevertheless, the South and Central American champions were in excellent form in the first half of the game, with their most experienced players, backcourt players Sofia Gull and Azul Spinelli, scoring six of the first eight goals and converting fantastic shots from the back that stunned Hungary at times.

It was a lack of efficiency in attack – too many missed shots in one-on-one situations, six in the first 17 minutes – that troubled Hungary, as Argentina got to within a single goal (10:9) and capitalised on the Europeans’ missed opportunities.

But Hungary, the reigning champions of last summer's W19 EHF EURO, proved too strong as they upped their efficiency and fired from all cylinders, with some excellent passes for their line players and wings, but also via fastbreaks, to deploy a 6:0 unanswered run and create a seven-goal gap at the end of the first half, 19:12.

As Argentina’s players started to feel their tired legs, Hungary used their depth to first conserve and then improve their advantage, steamrolling their way to a big win in the opener at North Macedonia 2024, in truly dominating fashion.

Left wing Anna Szabó, right wing Tamara Vártok and left backs Emilia Varga and Luca Csíkos combined for 22 goals, as Hungary finished the match with a 68% shooting efficiency, and opened up their account in style, confirming their status as one of the favourites to clinch the title at North Macedonia 2024, with a 39:21 win. Moreover, 12 of Hungary's 13 outfield players scored at least one goal, as the gap grew bigger and bigger until the end of the match.

Before the showdown in the final match of the group against the Republic of Korea, Hungary will face Mexico next, on Thursday, while Argentina play the Asian champions, in a bid to regain footing after this hard loss.

Alkaloid Player of the Match: Emilia Varga (Hungary)