Hosts Spain made it to the final of the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship, securing their second consecutive win in the knockout phase of the competition, 2:0, against Chile.

In the first semi-final, Japan also clinched their ticket for the gold medal match, securing a close win against Japan, 2:0.

SEMI-FINALS
Portugal vs Japan 0:2 (9:10; 9:11)

Japan were riding high, after sealing three wins in their first three matches, but they were seriously tested by Egypt in the quarter-finals. However, the Asian side seems to have learnt from their woes from the previous edition of the competition, when they ended up fifth, and are now in the final, after a superb win against Portugal.

It was a dramatic semi-final, with a place in the final waiting for the winner of the clash and for both it would have been their maiden medal, as well as the maiden chance to win the title at the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship.

And evenutally, the match was decided by the slightest of margins – one point in the first set and two in the second set – which both went in Japan’s way, with the Asian team being more efficient and converting their clear-cut chances to secure a place in the last act.

It was a collective effort, especially on the attacking part, where Shinnosuke Morooka, Japan’s top scorer, had eight points, while penalty specialist Leo Onuki converted all his three penalties to help Japan win the match.

In the first set, Portugal led by two points, 7:5, but could only score two in the last four minutes, opening the door for Japan to secure a comeback and clinch a 10:9 win, as only Ricardo Queiros, Joao Jeronimo and Ricardo Vieira went on the scoresheet for the European side.

Diana Machado managed to score one point for Portugal in the second set, but it was more or less the same, with Queiros and Vieira taking control of the match. Yet Portugal’s Queiros converted only four of the seven spin shots he had, while Japan were clearly more efficient.

Taking a 6:0 lead in the start of the second set proved to be crucial, as Portugal tried to mount a comeback but fell short, eventually Japan securing a 11:9 win, with Morooka, Onuki and Yukitaka Morita (four points) leading the charge.

Japan have the best attack in the competition so far and will look on Sunday to become the first Asian side to secure the title at the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship, a fantastic achievement for a team which made their debut in 2024 and finished fifth.

Spain vs Chile 2:0 (7:6; 7:6)

While in the first semi-final the two sides were separated by three points in the two sets, here, the gap was even lower, with Spain and Chile being embroiled in a nip-and-tuck battle, which, eventually, was decided by the slightest of margins in each set, one point, with identical scorelines.

The first set was all about Spain in the first part, as they started with five points in two minutes and 48 seconds, with Chile still reeling from their mistakes and the slow start.

But as Jorge Carrasco and Jonathan Veas quickly getting into gear, the South American side managed to shut the doors for the last six minutes and 30 seconds of the first set, while scoring four points in a row, pushing the set into the golden goal scenario.

Both sides missed their first two shots, but it was time for Lorenzo Envo Edjang Nsa to shine, and he converted a one-point shot, to propel his team to a 7:6 win and one step closer to the final.

The second set was more about Spain’s ability to overcome a challenge, as Chile started stronger and had a 4:2 lead after three minutes and six seconds. Jorge Carrasco and Jonathan Veas did wonders between the posts for the South American side, finishing with 12 saves and a 47% saving efficiency between them, but Spain were never going to stop trying.

From the 14 points scored by the hosts in this match, nine came from Lorenzo Envo Edjang Nsa, and he was also the one who decided the match, scoring with six seconds to go, to secure a 7:6 win, and send Spain to the final.

Spain are sure of a medal now and became the second European side to clinch a place on the podium in one edition of the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship, after Slovenia in 2022.