It was the day of the Africans: Angola and Ivory Coast have made their way to the eight-finals. As the Ivorian victory over Uruguay was expected, Angola finished the German's dreams. Aside Japan booked their ticket for the round of the last 16 teams.

Group A in Santos:

Angola – Germany 25:22 (14:10)

The first match of the last round in preliminary round group D between Angola and Germany ended with a 25:22 victory for the African team. It was a very important match for the result of Group A, because Angola is now heading for the next round while Germany is going to the President's Cup. After a quite good beginning the German team was in the lead by 5:3 (11.), as they were concentrated and had a good keeper (Clara Woltering) who saved five of the first eight shots of the Angolan team. But then it took Angola not even two minutes to strike back and to take over the lead at 6:5. In the subsequent period the match was quite close. No team managed more than a one-goal-lead up to the 25th minute. While Germany missed a lot of good chances, Angola scored twice during 14 seconds (10:7). And it continued like this. The German team seemed to loose their tactical line completely. Only their routinier Stefanie Melbeck (34) kept the Germans in this match with three goals in a row. After the first 30 minutes Angola was leading 14:10. In the beginning of the second half the German team tried to catch up, but Angola always had the right answer and they forced their competitor to make mistakes. So after 46 minutes the African team still was in the lead by 21:15. The match was pre-decided. Although Germany was approaching once again (21:18, 52. and 24:22, 59.) Angola won this match well-deserved. Best scorers of the match were Luisa Kiala for Angola with eight goals and Stefanie Melbeck with seven goals for Germany.

"We prepared our team very well – not only physically but also psychologically,” said the Angolan assistant coach Edgar Gonsalves da Silva. "Our players knew everything about their opponent. We neutralized Germany.” Heine Jensen, the German head coach said: "We knew that it would be a very tough match. But after all I feel very disappointed.”

Group B in Barueri

Spain – Australia 39:9 (18:5)

The first match of the last round in Group B was a clear matter, when Spain won against Australia 39:9. The team from Europe didn't have any difficulties with their inferior competitor from Down Under and was already through with this match after the first 30 minutes, when they were in the lead by 18:5. The Spanish team didn´t stop playing handball during the second half and gave no chances to Australia. Now Spain goes to the eight-finals. Best scorer of this match was Jessica Alonso who scored seven times for Spain.

Group C in Sao Paulo:

Cuba – Japan 24:32 (9:16)

The Japanese dream of reaching the eight-final has come true: By clearly beating Cuba in their final match they cannot be overtaken by Tunisia anymore. After an equal start (5:6) – Cuba was again strong in defence – Japan extended the lead quickly to seven goals at the break. At the latest the game was decided at the score of 20:9 in the 36th minute. Cuba could reduce the gap to eight goals – and this margin lasted until the end.

In the eight-final the Asians will face the winner of Group D, which will be decided in Sao Bernardo do Campo – still three teams (Denmark, Sweden and Croatia) have chances to become number one.

Group D in Sao Bernardo do Campo:

Ivory Coast – Uruguay 31:24 (12:12)

Ivory Coast is the first African team to qualify for the eight-finals in Brazil, and Angola did the same five minutes later: After their victory against Argentina two match days before, they did not have any problems in beating Uruguay, too and secured the fourth place in Group D. And now the Africans will face the next Pan American opponent, as they will compete with Brazil in Sao Paulo on Monday 12 December in the round of the last 16 teams.

Goalkeeper Amenam Koffi was the key for Ivory Coast in the first half. Her saves gave confidence to the Africans, so they were able to take a draw to the dressing rooms after 30 minutes. After their first ever victory at a Women’s Senior World Championship yesterday 8 December against Argentina the Urus were highly motivated to keep the flame alight for reaching the eight-finals. But they needed to win against Ivory Coast in this decisive final encounter.

And Uruguay started well, led 5:3, before a time-out was the sign of life for the Africans. Thanks to four straight goals they turned the match around to 7:5, but then the Pan Americans fought back, leading 11:10. But after 30 minutes a deserved 12:12 was on the scoreboard.

Head coach Thierry Vincent found the right words in the locker room, as Ivory Coast improved after the break and extended the lead to 17:13 in the 38th minute thanks to their tall and compact defence. And only seven minutes later the game was pre-decided when Ivory Coast was ahead 24:16. Uruguay lacked power and concentration, caused several unforced errors and lost the balls in the build-up of their attack. And in the final stage the gap could even have been bigger, but Ivory Coast missed several 100 per cent chances.