Netherlands sealed the second main round spot from Group H in Frederikshavn, Denmark, as Per Johansson's team hit the 40-goal mark for the second time at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023 in their clear 40:20 win against Congo.

GROUP H
Congo vs Netherlands 20:40 (9:20)

It was not a good start for Congo, which saw themselves down 4:0, after several saves from Dutch goalkeeper Tess Lieder, who is coming back in fine form after taking a break from handball. It took five minutes for Congo to score the first goal, which was followed by a series of turnovers and three two-minute suspensions, as the shorthanded African side allowed the opponents to have six successful fast breaks.

Urging his players to calm the game and slow down the tempo, Congo's coach failed to get his message across, as the Netherlands soon took a 12:1 lead. From that moment on, the Dutch side relaxed for some moments, allowing Congo to build their attacks and stabilise the gap, but at the break the European side was still leading by 11 goals, 20:9, a gap which proved unassailable in the end.

The unanswered run from the 46th minute to the 55th minute pushed the Netherlands towards their biggest lead in the game as right wing Kelly Vollebregt's goal saw the Dutch side take a 36:18 lead. It urged Congo's head coach Younes Tatby to call for his last time-out just to give his players some rest time.

While the Netherlands made some mistakes and earned some well-deserved rest, they still hit the 40-goal mark for the second time in a row at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023, taking a clear 40:20 win, which proves they are one of the sides to watch once again.

“It is important to enter each game with solid defence and to have good energy. That was included in this game also. We should take that with us in the upcoming matches. We look forward to the game against Czechia and the main round ones,” said Dutch goalkeeper Tess Lieder.

But in the last match of the group, Per Johansson's side will face Czechia, as the winner will carry four points in the main round, after both European side sealed wins in their first two matches. Congo still has a chance to progress further if they surprise Argentina, who, just like them have two straight defeats.

hummel Player of the Match: Bo Van Wetering (Netherlands)