The semi-finalists of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games men’s and women’s beach handball competitions are now known after the quarter-finals completed at Saly Beach West on Wednesday (11 November).

All 16 teams in Saly featured in the morning session, with the losing teams now moving into the 5-8 placement round which gets underway in the late afternoon session.

For information on how to watch and follow beach handball at Dakar 2026, click HERE.

Day 3, Session 1 – Wednesday 11 November 2026

Women’s competition

Results
Spain v Kenya 2-0 (20:6, 26:23)
People’s Republic of China v France 1-2 (20:18, 16:26, SO 2:7)
Senegal v Croatia 2-0 (24:20, 30:16) 
Uruguay v Mexico 2-0 (24:15, 23:12)

• World champions Spain through to semi-finals, but impressive Kenya push them close in second set, losing by just three points – at one point they were just two points behind
• Kenya’s Neema CHEMA scores 14 points in the game to end as joint-best along with Spain’s Marta BOUZO ALONSO
• People’s Republic of China and France show different sides to their game after the Asian side had impressed in the preliminary group stage, with Europeans have a mixed set of results
• Despite nine saves from Congrui LIU, China could not capitalise on a first set win, going down by 10 points in the second and then losing via shoot-out after not scoring their first two shots to leave a single point effort from Nina BAUVILLARD to hand France the win
• Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games silver medallists Croatia are out of contention for a medal after the host nation, led by Maman Coumba DIOP (15 points), breezed past them with ease to send the home crowd crazy
• Uruguay further enhance their medal potential with a business-like takedown of Mexico in a game where they were never in trouble
• Results mean semi-finals are Spain v Senegal and France v Uruguay while Kenya, Croatia, People’s Republic of China and Mexico drop into the 5-8 Placement Round and are now out of contention for a medal

Men’s competition

Quarter-Finals
Germany v Puerto Rico 2-0 (18:16, 28:9) 
Tunisia v Hungary 1-2 (18:19, 22:20, SO 2:6)
Senegal v Thailand 2-0 (20:19, 20:16)
Brazil v Cook Islands 2-0 (36:20, 36:7)

• Germany continue impressing as the Tunisia 2025 world championship silver medallists defeated down Puerto Rico with ease, Tim PERSE top-scoring on 12 points
• A passionate, physical match saw Tunisia and Hungary both up their level of play from the preliminary round with the Europeans prevailing via shoot-out
• Two tight sets gave way to a shoot-out which saw the North African side miss their first, third and fourth shots, as Hungarian captain Zaray ZETENY led the way on 18 points in total
• An instant classic on the centre court saw Thailand play at a much higher level than previously at Dakar 2026, narrowly losing the first set and fighting all the way in the second to just fall short
• Senegal’s Mamadou SONKO made seven saves, Thailand’s Thiwakon YAMPRAKON six, with the host nation’s Moussa Balla SALL top-scoring on 14 points
• World championship bronze medallists Brazil impressed against Cook Islands to win 2-0, but it was not all plain sailing as the Oceania representatives recorded 20 points against the South American side in the first set
• However, a strong performance on both sides of the ball from Brazil ensured victory with goalkeeper Tiago AZEVEDO making eight saves and pivot Luiz FERREIRA scoring 24 points
• Results mean Germany play Senegal in the first semi-final and Hungary take on Brazil in the second
• Cook Islands, Tunisia, Puerto Rico and Thailand move into the 5-8 placement round

Day 3, Session 2 – Schedule 

Placement Matches 5-8

Women’s competition
1530    Kenya v Croatia, People’s Republic of China v Mexico

Men’s competition
1620    Puerto Rico v Thailand, Tunisia v Cook Islands