It took 70 minutes, before top favourite Russia could celebrate their semifinal spot at the IV Women’s Youth World Championship: The European champions beat Sweden in an extra-time thriller 31:30 and face Norway in their semi on Saturday. The Scandinavians easily clinched their semifinal berth by clashing France. Denmark booked their semi ticket by beating Japan and will face the Romanian girls, who stood dominant against Hungary.

Due to those results all three medalists of the 2011 European championship – Russia, Denmark and Norway – have made it to the 2012 semifinal of the world championship.

Quarterfinals:

Hungary – Romania 25:31 (13:17)

While the Romanians jumped on the court and danced for joy, the Hungarians cried bitter tears after their elimination from the semifinals.  In a highly emotional match, Romania showed more team spirit, had the better goalkeeper and was clever and patient enough to stand the crucial moments. On the other they could not stop the outstanding Hungarian back-court shooters Luca Szekerczes and Krisztina Barany, who in total hit the net 12 times – but their spell was over, when Szekerczes missed too many chances in the end. Romanian goalkeeper Denisa Dedu (14 saves) kept cold as ice in the final stages after her coach had changed the goalkeeper several times before. Even a double time-out in the 14 minutes did not stop the initial Hungarian downswing, as they were below 6:12 after 17 minutes. But then they rose like Phoenix from Ashes, reduced the gap before the break to 12:13 and in the middle of the second half to 23:24 – but were in this decisive stage not able to take the lead. Romania found their rhythm and by the in total seven goals of Bianca Tiron the margin rose again. Latest this match of two world class teams was decided at 31:26 in minute 56.

Japan – Denmark 25:31 (17:15)

A tremendous improvement after the break was they key for the semifinal berth for Denmark. Surprisingly Japan had full control of the match in the first half, and even missed to gain a bigger gap at the halftime buzzer. The runners-up of the European championship could not cope with the movable and fast Japanese defence and could not avoid the Asian counter-attacks – including seven of overall ten goals of Haruno Sasaki. But everything changed after the break: By improving their defence and profiting from their height advantages on the back court positions, Denmark first equalized at 18:18 and then punished the Asian runners-up badly, who scored only three goals in the first 14 minutes of the second half. Nadja Offendal and Annika Meyer led the catch-up chase, and latest when Meyer scored the 27:22 the Japanese resistance was broken. Offendal was the best scorer of the victors with eight goals.

Russia – Sweden 31:30 (12:13, 26:26) after extra-time

Usually the Russians are proud of their collective, but the quarterfinal thriller against Sweden was won by one single player: Anna Vyakhireva. Thanks to the eleven goals and several assists of the right back the European champions turned the match in the second half against brilliant fighting Swedes, who will not be able to defend their 2010 title anymore. But the Russians needed 70 minutes to bring the Scandinavians down to the floor, the decisive goals three last goals in extra-time – causing tears on the Swedish side - were scored by Daria Bogdanova.

Both spectator groups caused a great atmosphere for a great match, full of brilliant technical skills, fighting spirit and spectacular goals. One thought Sweden were shocked by their clear 13:21 defeat against Hungary in their final preliminary round match, was wrong. The Scandinavians played highly concentrated and were tactically fully prepared on the Russians – the only player they could not stop was Vyakhireva. Building on the great saves of goalkeeper Hanna Daglund (overall number of 15), the Swedish defence gained confidence and blocked the powerful Russian shooters in a tough match for a long time. The favoured Russians were surprised by the dominant way Sweden played and missed unexpectedly many chances. Six minutes before the break the “Tre-Kronor”-team was in lead with three goals for the first time at 11:8 and kept this distance until the middle of the second half. But when the Russians changed the goalkeeper to Kira Trusova, strengthened their defence and brilliant Vyakhireva scored a series of outstanding and crucial goals, the match was leveled at 20:20 – and the European champions even extended the lead to 25:23, cheered by “Rossiya, Rossiya”-chants from the stands. But nothing was decided even with the final buzzer. At the score of 26:26 both teams caused missed passes in the final minute. Russia got the last chance, but the direct free-throw of Polina Vedekhina was blocked.

Due to a double suspension including a red card against Irina Snopova, Russia started the extra-time period with two players less on the field. After the first five minutes, everything was possible then Bogdanova made her teammates jump for joy scoring the decisive 31:29.

France – Norway 19:32 (5:17)

The Norwegian express was in full speed mode and France did not know what happened to them in the first half. The French girls failed in attack, either due to technical mistakes or against the Scandinavian defence or goalkeeper. And the 2011 European bronze medallist punished nearly every French error by a counter-attack goal. With five opening strikes Norway gained confidence and shocked France, then the Scandinavians paved the winner’s way by their first double-figured result at 13:3 in minute 22. At the break the margin was already 12 goals, at the 27:12 already 15. France were a playing ball of the dominant Norwegians, who did not even to give 100% percent after the break, as their opponent could not endanger them at any time.  Kristin Venn topped the well-balanced Norwegian scorer list with six goals.

Semifinals on 25 August in Bar:

Romania – Denmark

Norway - Russia

Placement round 5-8 on 25 August in Bar:

Hungary - Japan

France – Sweden

Placement round 9-12:

World championship host Montenegro missed a Top-10-ranking on home ground: After been defeated by the Netherlands on Thursday in their placement round opener, the Balkan team will face Pan American champions Brazil in the 11/12 placement match on Friday. The Dutch team, fight for the ninth rank against Korea.

Netherlands – Montenegro 32:27 (15:14)

Supported by a group of vociferous spectators the Dutch team caused the third defeat for Montenegro. Despite 11 saves of goalkeeper Katarina Perovic and nine goals of top scorer Jelena Despotovic the world championship host missed the 9/10-placement match.  The game was a roller coaster ride for 50 minutes, as first Montenegro turned the spell with four straight goals before the break, then Netherlands re-took the lead, before again the Balkan team was away with 22:21. But in the end six straight Dutch goals in the final stage decided this high-class encounter. Best scorer for Netherlands was Anouk Nieuwenweg with seven goals.

Korea – Brazil 29:26 (14:15)

After a close match, in which the biggest gap was three goals, Korea won the duel of the continental champions against Brazil. Su Jeong Kim was the match winner for the Asian with her nine goals, mainly in the crucial stages of the match. Korea started better, but Brazil led at the break. Thanks to a strong re-starting period Korea turned the match again and did not give lead from their hands until the end. Latest Kim decided the game at the score of 28:25 in minute 58.

Placement matches on 24 August in Podgorica:

9/10: Netherlands - Korea

11/12: Montenegro - Brazil

Placement round 13-16:

Two European teams fight for the 13th and 14th positions on Friday, and both had not qualified for the 2010 Women’s Youth World Championship in the Dominican Republic: Czech Republic and Croatia won their openers of this placement round on Thursday. The Croats had ranked 9th at the 2011 European Championship, host Czech Republic finished 12th.  Kazakhstan and Angola compete for the ranks 15 and 16.

Croatia –Kazakhstan 46:23 (21:15)

After a poor start and a 10:13 trail after 18 minutes, the Croats took the match serious, accelerated and minimized the number of mistakes in attack. By scoring a 11:2 series until the final buzzer the Balkan team already decided the game, which became completely one-sided in the second half, due to the fact that Kazakhstan only have eight players in their squad. Kazakh Irina Aleksandrova added another 11 goals to her tally and tops the scorer ranking clearly with now 51 goals. Best Croatian shooter was Andjela Marinovic with 11 strikes, too.

Czech Republic – Angola 27:20 (8:13)

Petra Kudiackova made the difference in this intercontinental encounter. The Czech goalkeeper prevented her team from a defeat by 15 saves and secured the first victory for the Europeans in Montenegro. Despite a strong first half and a well-deserved lead, Angola missed the chance to win, as their powers were running out in the second half. After being down 6:13 in minute 28, the Czechs started their catch-up chase by scoring a brilliant series of 17:4 to decide the match by the intermediate score of 23:17. Kamenarova, Skrivankova, Trumpesova and Jackova scored five goals each for the victors, as Teresa Leite hit the net five times for Angola, too.

Placement matches on 24 August in Bar:

13/14: Croatia vs. Czech Republic

15/16: Kazakhstan vs. Angola

Placement round 17-20

DR Congo and Uruguay took their each first victories in this competition at the start of this placement round and now will face in the 17/18 match. Portugal and Paraguay compete for the ranks 19 and 20.

Paraguay – DR Congo 14:17 (7:8)

DR Congo was constantly in lead except a short period in the middle of the first half in a match, in which both teams lacked power. The Africans played more stable in defence and more efficient in attack. Julie Beti Mvita was their top scorer with five goals, the same number Maria Carimy scored for Paraguay. After ranking 18th two years ago at the Youth World Championship in the Dominican Republic, DR Congo can reach a slightly better position, if they beat Uruguay on Friday.

Uruguay –Portugal 31:29 (20:14)

A trio secured Uruguay’s first victory: Alejandra Scarrone (8), Ana Berasain (7) and Camilla Barreiro (9) scored 24 of 31 goals for the Pan Americans, which dominated the match all the time, though the final result was quite close. Portugal reduced the gap after the break. When the Iberians were close to turn the game, a final triple strike of Scarrone sealed the deal.

Placement matches on 24 August in Bar:

17/18: DR Congo vs. Uruguay

19/20: Paraguay vs. Portugal