In the first three matches of match day five at the IV Women’s Youth World Championship in Montenegro the next decision was taken: Thanks to a clear victory against Portugal in group D in Bar, Norway qualified as sixth team for the quarterfinals. Before, Sweden (group A), Romania, Russia (both group B), France and Denmark (both group C) had made their way to the knock-out stage. 

The last two quarterfinal spots in group A and group D will be decided on the last preliminary round match day on Tuesday. In group A Hungary is in advantage since today’s expected easy win over Paraguay, now two points ahead of the Netherlands. But in their last match the Hungarians face table topper Sweden, while the Netherlands compete with Croatia. 

In group D the decision will be taken between Brazil and Japan (both four points) about the only non-European quarterfinalist. The Pan Americans play against top team Norway, which need only one point to be finish as group winner, Japan face Angola. And the Brazil players were impressed spectators of the Norwegian victory on Monday evening.

In group B Russia had an ideal preparation for their tomorrow’s top match against Romania (both six points) by clashing Kazakhstan.

Group A:

Paraguay – Hungary 11:36 (5:18) 

With five points on their account, Hungary have a good base for the struggle for a quarterfinal spot after their second victory. Paraguay was anything but a hurdle, and the game was decided after 15 minutes, when the score was 11:1. All Hungarian field players scored, while Paraguay had no more powers in their fourth and last match of the preliminary round. The Pan Americans finished last with zero points after four defeats. Hungary could save energy for the decisive final clash of the unbeaten teams against Sweden on Tuesday. If the Hungarians at least take a draw they made their way to the knock-out stage. If they lose and the Netherlands beat Croatia, the overall goal difference of both teams has to decide, as the direct encounter ended with a draw. By saving 19 of 30 shots against Paraguay, the Hungarian goalkeepers stood strong, best scorer was Rebeka Ertl with six goals, as Maria Carimy hit the net four times for Paraguay.

Group B:

Kazakhstan – Russia 17:36 (10:20)

The Russian girls are well prepared for the final clash for the top position in group B on Tuesday in Bar. As expected, the 2011 European champions, who was already qualified for the quarterfinals before, did not have to give 100 percent to get a clear result against their neighbours Kazakhstan. The match play of the Asians was again a solo for Irina, as Irina Alexandrova scored 10 of 17 goals for her team. On the other hand Russian coach Wjatscheslaw Kirilenko could rotate his players to save powers for tomorrow’s top match of the two unbeaten teams. Ekaterina Matlashova was top-scorer in a well-balanced Russian collective. Though their opponent tried hard to reduce the speed, Russia was clearly ahead very early and made an easy-going walk until the end. Russia have six points after three matches, while the preliminary round is already over for Kazakhstan, finishing with one point.

Group D: 

Portugal – Norway 26:41 (10:23)

Like the two encounters in the groups A and B this match was a clear matter for the favourite, who qualified for the quarterfinals by their third victory in their third game. Norway started impressive, put Portugal under immense pressure and decided the match early thanks to their vigilant defence and resulting from those interceptions, easy-going counter attacks. Portugal tried to resist, but the Iberians lacked power and individual skills to stop the Scandinavian express. Even goalkeeper Andrea Pedersen nearly hit the net, but her far-distance shot hit the Portuguese goal bar in minute 24, when the score was already 20:6. After the break Norway rotated, decelerated and did not defend that concentrated as before. Portugal intermediately closed the gap a little bit, but in the end their energy had gone. But they lost the second half only by 16:18 in a match with the biggest number of goals by now in this competition. The Portuguese team finished the preliminary round ranked fifth in this group without a point on their account, but they took a small victory: Neuze Valente was the top scorer of the match against Norway with eight goals, Vilde Ingstad was most successful Norway player with seven goals from seven attempts.

Group C

Czech Republic – Denmark 16:30 (10:13)
Denmark well-deserved took their third victory and is now waiting for the clash to get the group victory against France on Tuesday. After a huge improvement after the break the Scandinavians sealed the deal right in the middle of the second half. Thanks to the best period of Freja Knyndbal the Danes extended the gap from the halftime score of 13:10 to decisive 23:13 in only 18 minutes, then the spell was broken. Denmark remain with a 100 record of six points, while the Czechs remain with only one point after the preliminary round.