Wednesday (19 June) is the day of decision for the main round places at the 2024 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships, currently underway on Pingtan Island, China.

All teams play two games each, split into a morning session and an afternoon/evening session with the top three in each preliminary group of four going through to the main round and the fourth-placed team in each group moving into the consolation round.

The afternoon/evening session starts at 1500hrs (local time).

Philippines create history, Germany continue making their own

After winning the first set, but losing via shoot-out against Portugal on Tuesday in their IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship debut, the Philippines made history on Wednesday, winning their first-ever game at this level, defeating continental rivals and hosts China 2-0 (13:11, 13:10).

“We had to bounce back and we really had to win today,” said Philippines defender Gretchie Roque to ihf.info after the victory. “We are so competitive – we prepared for almost a year and all of our team is very happy. We are motivated and the fighting spirit…you know, the heart of the Filipino cannot be defeated easily and that is an advantage.

“For now, we have to rest and recover,” she added about what her and her teammates will do before their clash against Australia later today. “We have to review their game from yesterday, versus China, so that we can prepare for the fight later.”

Portugal dispatched Australia 2-0 (13:2, 17:6) to make it two wins from two and with it, book a ticket into the main round. The result means that the Oceania champions will need to beat the Philippines in the late match tonight and hope for a Portugal win against China – in that scenario, the Philippines, China and Australia will all be on two points and the head-to-head encounters and maths will need to be used.

In Group C, Denmark continued their impressive form, seeing off Norway 2-0 (21:10, 15:8) thanks to the Queen of Danish Beach Handball, Line Gyldenlove Kristensen and her 16 points. With that result, it means the Danes are now through to the next stage of competition. 

After losing to the Scandinavians yesterday, the Netherlands got off to winning ways on Wednesday, Anna Buter’s 20 points leading to a comprehensive 2-0 victory over the USA, outscoring the North American champions 50:14.

Germany extended their winning IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship run to 11 games, led by 26 points from Isabel Kattner, who guided her team to a 2-0 (30:12, 22:6) victory over Puerto Rico in Group D. That result means they move into the main round, joined by Brazil who beat 2018 world champions Greece in a low-scoring game (16:10, 12:7), Beatriz Cruz scored 14 points for the South American side. Greece face Puerto Rico at 1640 with the winners booking the final spot in the main round.

In Group B, Spain beat Croatia 2-0 (13:12, 23:17) for their second win in two games and book their main round spot, while Croatia are yet to win at China 2024 so far, but know a win against Vietnam at 2050hrs this evening will see them through – but the Asian champions know victory will see them through too despite losing 0-2 (14:20, 16:26) to Argentina, who are through to the main round too with their second victory.

Heavyweights through as men’s competition heats up

Both Denmark and Hungary made it two wins from two in Group A and with it, secured their main round spots. Martin Andersen’s 12 points helped his Denmark side to a 2-0 (8:6, 14:11) win over Oman, while Norbert Gyene’s same points total pushed Hungary to victory over Australia 2-0 (18:8, 24:10). The two qualified sides go head-to-head for the group title at 1500hrs, with the clash between Oman and Australia deciding who is the third and final team through.

Brazil confirmed their place in the main round with their second victory in two games, defeating African champions Tunisia 2-0 (18:10, 20:10). Hosts China are still without a win, after losing 0-2 to Spain (7:22, 12:21) and they face the South Americans in their final group game this evening.

Title-holders Croatia moved into the main round thanks to Lucian Bura’s 12 points in a 2-0 (14:8, 20:12) victory over Puerto Rico in Group C, their second in the preliminary round. The Puerto Ricans face Portugal tonight and will hope for a win to give them a chance of qualifying through. If they should win later, and following Portugal beating Argentina 2-0 (20:15, 23:14) this morning, all three teams would have two points each after three games.

Germany’s men joined their women in the main round with two wins from two games, Robin John again top-scoring, with 12 points in a 2-0 (26:12, 20:18) victory over USA. Amir Denguir’s single point secured a 23:22 second set win for Qatar, to add to their 22:18 first set success as they handed Uruguay their second defeat in two days. Uruguay will need to beat the USA in their 1500hrs match later today to have any chance of pushing through into the main round.

Results, morning session – Wednesday 19 June 2024

Preliminary Group

Men’s Competition
USA vs GER 0-2 (12:26, 18:20)
URU vs QAT 0-2 (18:22, 22:23)
PUR vs CRO 0-2 (8:14, 12:20)
POR vs ARG 2-0 (20:15, 23:14)
OMA vs DEN 0-2 (6:8, 11:14) 
AUS vs HUN 0-2 (8:18, 10:24)
ESP vs CHN 2-0 (22:7, 21:12)
TUN vs BRA 0-2 (10:18, 10:20)

Women’s Competition
DEN vs NOR 2-0 (21:10, 15:8)
USA vs NED 0-2 (8:30, 6:20)
PUR vs GER 0-2 (12:30, 6:22)
GRE vs BRA 0-2 (10:16, 7:12)
PHI vs CHN 2-0 (13:11, 13:10)
AUS vs POR 0-2 (2:13, 6:17)
CRO vs ESP 0-2 (12:13, 17:23)
VIE vs ARG 0-2 (14:20, 16:26)