Thanks to clear victories over Kazakhstan and Uruguay, Germany and Tunisia reached the final of the President’s Cup (placement 17/18), played on Monday 12 December in Sao Paulo. China and Cuba compete for the places 21 and 22.

Those are the placement matches on Monday 12 December:

Sao Paulo:

17/18: Germany – Tunisia (17:15 local time)

19/20: Kazakhstan – Uruguay (11:45 local time)

Sao Bernardo do Campo:

21/22 China – Cuba (20:00 local time)

23/24: Australia–Argentina (11:45 local time) 

President’s Cup, first day:

Germany – Kazakhstan 37:14 (15:6)

Despite a weak start with a huge number of missed chances, Germany celebrated their third victory in this tournament, bringing them to the final of the President’s Cup. Nadja Nadgornaja was Germany’s top scorer with six goals, five of them in the first 16 minutes, when her solo and the saves of goalkeeper Clara Woltering brought a 6:1 lead. Kazakhstan was chanceless again, as their defence was not fast enough and their shooting efficiency was much weaker than the German’s. Xenija Volnukhina was the top scorer for the Kazakhs, who were defeated the fifth straight time.  Going away with a 12:2 series to 28:8 at the start of the second half, latest the German victory was secured.

Tunisia – Uruguay 34:17 (14:10)

Like Germany, Tunisia had easy work to do in their opener of the President’s Cup. But Uruguay kept up much longer than Kazakhstan, as the match was equal until the 11:9. After the four goal margin at the break, the African runners-up decided the match at the latest at 24:14, before then even scoring an impressive 9:0 series.  Top scorers were Asma Elghaoui with nine goals for Tunisia and Ornella Palla with four goals for Uruguay. Like in 2009, when losing against Sweden, Tunisia is in the final of the President’s Cup.

China – Australia 45:11 (22:4)

The first victory for the Chinese team in Brazil was an absolutely clear one against the underdogs from Australia. It only took 15 minutes when the margin was ten goals for the first time (11:1), and right after the break it were 20 goals at 24:4. In the end the Aussies were distanced by 34 goals, but reached their minimum objective to score more than 10 goals. Top scorers were Danielle Cook with four goals for Australia and Chunlei Lan with eleven goals for China.

Cuba – Argentina  25:20 (12:11)

By winning the Pan American duel Cuba qualified for the 21/22 placement match – and like for China it was their first victory in this tournament. But it was a really hard fight for the Cubans until the victory was secured – Argentina was close for more than 40 minutes in this mostly eye-leveled game. Suleiky Gomez was the match winner for the Cubans thanks to her nine goals. The match was on the edge until minute 34 and the score of 15:13, then Cuba took the control and by extending the margin to five goals for the first time at the score of 20:15 in minute 50 they decided the game. Best Argentinean scorer was Luciana Mendoza with four goals.