Cuba and Dominican Republic win gold medals at the Caribbean Cup 2022

11 Oct. 2022

Cuba and Dominican Republic win gold medals at the Caribbean Cup 2022

The men's and women's handball tournaments at the Caribbean Cup 2022 took place in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, between 2 and 8 October.

Four teams competed at the Pabellón del Parque del Este, in both the men's and women's tournaments, aiming to qualify for the 24th edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games, which will take place in San Salvador, El Salvador, between 23 June and 8 July 2023.

Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the hosts, the Dominican Republic, all featured prominently in two very balanced tournaments, with high-profile and balanced games that went all the way before the end.

In the women's tournament, though, it was Cuba who shook off a weaker start and went on to dominate the hosts in the finals.

The Dominican Republic won the round-robin group with two wins, including a clear 28:21 win against Cuba. They were going to meet them again in the final after Cuba had the same points as Puerto Rico but a better goal difference – 74:72, as opposed to 78:77.

That goal weighed its amount in gold, as Cuba took early control of the final and secured the win against the Dominican Republic. First, they had a 19:15 lead at the break, which they truly protected in the second half, building a gap of nine goals at the end of the match, 30:21.

In the bronze-medal game, Puerto Rico enjoyed a superb 37:35 win to take the last available medal. Mexico was dismayed at their performance after being close to securing some silverware in the competition.

In the men's tournament, Cuba and the Dominican Republic qualified for the final, making it two out of two in the Caribbean Cup 2022 for the two sides.

Cuba were stronger in the first half and were leading 14:12 at the break. Still, a superb comeback in the second half, where defences were excellent, saw the Dominican Republic clinch the win, 25:24, after Cuba missed a last-second nine-metre throw, sending the home fans in the Pabellón del Parque del Este into raptures.

In the bronze-medal game, Mexico secured a win 28:21 to go home with the silverware.

Final rankings

Men's tournament 

1. Dominican Republic

2. Cuba

3. Mexico

4. Puerto Rico

Women's tournament 

1. Cuba

2. Dominican Republic

3. Puerto Rico

4. Mexico

Photo: Dominican Handball Federation