After Sweden had made their way to the quarterfinals on Sunday afternoon, France and Denmark in group C and Romania and Russia in group D followed the defending champions to the knock-out stage of the IV Women’s Youth World Championship in Montenegro in the evening session. France took their third victory by beating Korea in Podgorica and opened the gate for the Danes, too, who still have two games ahead. In the second match of this group Uruguay caused a big sensation by a tie against Czech Republic.

In group B in Bar Romania turned their match against Montenegro, which seemed to be lost already in the second half. Due to this result, not only Romania made their way to the quarterfinals by their third straight victory, but also paved this way for the Russian girls, who did not even play on Sunday. Russia have four points and still two matches ahead, but cannot be overtaken by Montenegro anymore. So the host’s dream to reach the knock-out stage is already over.

Group B in Bar:

DR Congo – Kazakhstan 27:27 (10:15)

Big surprise by DR Congo: Thanks to a great catch-up chase they took a well deserved draw against Kazakhstan. Julie Betu Mvita scored the one and only equalizer in the whole 60 minutes for the Africans in the final minute, after the Asians had dominated the whole match, but lost all their energies again in the final stage. Even 13 goals of their outstanding shooter Irina Aleaxandrova did not bring the first victory for Kazakhstan in their third match. Both teams have one point each on their account. The Kazakhs were the clearly better team in the first half and seemed to be on the winner’s way when they had extended the gap to 24:18 in minute 49. But minute by minute DR Congo improved thanks to the bigger number of options on the bench and the 14 saves of their goalkeeper Silvie Nzeba. By scoring a final 9:3 series the Africans celebrated their first point in Montenegro.

Romania – Montenegro 25:22 (9:14)

It was another thriller in Bar – with a happy-ending for the Romanians and deeply disappointed Montenegro players after a high class match. In minute 35 the big sensation was on its way, as the hosts had controlled the game against the clearly favoured Romanians. By a strong defence including a brilliant goalkeeper Katarina Perovic (14 saves) the Balkan team was perfectly adapted to their opponent’s attacks. So the Romanians missed a big number of chances, while Montenegro worked like a Swiss watch in attack. Even a time-out did not stop the Romanian downswing, so surprisingly the host was in lead 14:9 at the break and even extended the margin to 17:11 against an intermediately shocked opponent. But when Montenegro missed several chances to seal the deal, their opponent stroke back. As their defence improved and the host players lacked power, they could start their counter-attacks, reducing the gap minute by minute. And it took only 16 minutes to turn the roller coaster by a 10:3 series from 11:17 to 21:20, their first lead after the opening stage. Though Montenegro fought hard to take control again, the victors were cold as ice and experienced enough to protect the lead to the end especially thanks to the late goals of their top scorer Andreea Pricopi (10 goals overall). As they cannot overtake Russia anymore after losing the direct encounter 29:39, Montenegro cannot reach the quarterfinals anymore. Their top scorer was Despotovic with seven goals.

Group C in Podgorica:

France – Korea 34:27 (17:16)

Like Sweden before, France paved the way to the quarterfinal with their third victory in their third match. Due to this result, Denmark only need one more point from two matches to follow the French team to the quarterfinals.  With still only two points, Korea need a wonder to proceed.  After an equal first half, Melissa Agathe made the difference. By scoring eight of her overall 13 goals after the break, she led the French team to this clear victory – together with goalkeeper Catherine Gabriel (16 saves). When the Europeans added a 9:1 series on their tally, they pre-decided the game at 25:18. But still Korea tried hard to gain their second victory, reduced the gap again to only two goals at 28:26. But  five straight French goals, including three of Agathe then sealed the Korean fate. Su Jeong Kim was top scorer for the Asians with nine goals.

Uruguay – Czech Republic 26:26 (12:12)

Alejandra Scarrone was the Uruguayan hero against the Czechs. Her overall ten goals including the decisive last double in the final minute paved the way for the biggest sensation at the Women’s Youth World Championship by now. The match had a nail-biting and crazy run-down. After an equal first half, in which first Uruguay was away, before the Europeans equalized at the break, the match turned several times. By a 5:1 series the Pan Americans took a 18:15 lead, which was countered by the Czech Republic by 9:2 goals in a row thanks to their strong goalkeeper Petra Kudiackova – but after the 24:20 for their opponent, Uruguay stroke back and equalized thank to the goals of Scarrone and Camilla Barreiro (eight goals in total). Both teams now have one point each on their account.