Mauritius 2017: Group D (women’s competition)

MRI 2017 (Women’s) – Group D: Spain, Portugal, American Samoa and Australia

Overview:

Spain

The ‘Guerreras’ hung a silver medal around their necks at the Women’s U16 European Championship in Nazare, after losing the trophy match versus the Netherlands 2:0. Their top scorer that time was Alba Diaz Gonzalez with 48 points.

Although they couldn’t repeat the podium at the U17 continental tournament played last month in Zagreb, the Spaniards still cannot be underestimated.

Portugal

The Portugal ladies made the podium twice at the last two youth beach handball European competitions. In 2016 they were bronze medallists at the U16 – which secured them a ticket for the 2017 World Championship –, while last month they revalidated their achievement and even improved it as they made the final of the U17 in Zagreb – where the Dutch beat them 2:0.

With reference to the team’s brightest and weakest parts, coach Paulo Felix said: “We are good at fast breaks but we are small.”

American Samoa

American Samoa won the women’s competition at the Oceania Qualification Games, defeating Australia 2:0 in the final. They will have to show their superiority in front of the Aussies again at Mauritius 2017 if they want to travel to the Youth Olympics next year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

“It would be nice to represent our territory in a team sport since that doesn’t happen here in American Samoa at this level,” says coach Carl Sagapolutele Floor. “We have been training hard and to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games would show everyone in our territory that Beach Handball is an awesome sport to play.”

Australia

As the second Oceania team at the Women’s U17 Beach Handball World Championship, Australia know they have to do better than in the qualification stage –  where American Samoa beat them 2:0 in the final match. Only the highest ranked team of the continent will book tickets for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

“The girls are fast, and fast learners. Their defence is their main strength, sometimes being able to hold teams to only two points in a half,” coach David Hudson states. “As for the attack, this is a work in progress. I promise to have a few tricks up our sleeve to show everyone when we get to Mauritius.”

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