Wednesday (19 June) saw a day of decision for all the main round places at the 2024 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships as day two concluded on Pingtan Island, China.

All 32 teams in China played two games each, split into a morning session and an afternoon/evening session with the top three in each preliminary group of four going through to the main round and the fourth-placed team in each group moving into the consolation round.

Men’s favourites safely through, Uruguay out of contention

European champions Hungary, South and Central America champions Brazil, World champions Brazil and returnees after 18 years, Germany, all secured their third preliminary group win in three games to go through as their respective winners and take a maximum of four points each with them into the main round.

In Group A, Hungary saw off Denmark 9:6 on shots after the Danes had hit the post and saw one of their shots saved in the shoot-out. In the clash between Oman and Australia – the winners would qualify through and the losers go out, Oman made light work of Oceania champions Australia, 2-0 (20:14, 15:9) to take the third and final spot.

Brazil eased to top spot in Group B after a comprehensive take down of hosts China 2-0 (25:10, 30:10). Spain finished second, defeating Tunisia 2-0 (22:20, 22:20) but were taken all the way by the African champions in a tight game. Thanks to their opening day win against the hosts on Tuesday, Tunisia claimed the final main round spot, pushing the hosts into the Consolation Round.

Title-holders saw off the South American challenge from Argentina 2-0 (20:16, 19:12) to win their group ahead of Portugal who made light work of Puerto Rico 2-0 (26:12, 28:8). Argentina, with their victory over the Puerto Ricans, claimed third.

Germany made it three 2-0 victories in a row, defeating Qatar 2-0 (27:20, 26:16) to progress in top spot. 

“We are so happy, really,” said Germany’s Lars Zelser after his side beat the Asian champions. “We were so good in offence. We have proved that we can win here. We are all good friends and that's the key. We want to win every game; every set and we keep going.”

Uruguay – who finished sixth at Greece 2022 – knew they had to defeat the USA 2-0 in their final game to ensure the head-to-head record would see them through. 

However, the North American side took the first set and Uruguay’s dream was over. In the end, the USA took a 2-1 (27:18, 14:18, SO 8:7) victory after Uruguay hit the post and saw a shot saved, leaving Ebiye Jeremy to score the single point for his sides’ second victory and with it, second spot, followed by the Asian champions in third place.

“Along with Puerto Rico we're really representing North America here,” said the USA’s Willard Johnson. “We hope to keep building this momentum with the tournament and in our continent, with all these new teams that are coming up, we hope as a continent we continue to make each other better and the sport as a whole – I also want to thank everyone back home for the support.”

Germany’s winning streak ended by Brazil, hosts China through to main round

It was business as usual for Germany’s women after their first set, taking a 24:20 victory against Brazil. Their 12th 2-0 victory at an IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship in a row was on, but the South Americans came back to win the second period 23:14.

It was the first IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship set conceded since 2006 (although Germany did not qualify from 2008-2018) and so it went to a shoot-out, with Brazil in the ascendancy and flying.

Their aggressive defensive play saw Belen Gettwart’s dink shot agonisingly bounce away from the goal and stay out. Beatriz Cruz then saved Germany’s crucial fourth shot, denying Amelie Möllmann.

Mariane Hanthequeste sealed the deal for Brazil with a single point to make it 7:4 and the icing on the cake for the South Americans was another save, from Ingrid Frazao, as Kirsten Sophie Walter attempted Germany’s fifth shot.

“I'm very happy because we weren’t successful against Germany back at Greece 2022,” said Brazil’s Renata Santiago. “We know they are the best team at the moment – we are watching their games. We knew that it would not be easy, but we were prepared. We celebrate now, but after our showers, we will start thinking about the main round.”

2018 world champions Greece finally got off the mark, defeating Puerto Rico 2-0 (28:20, 24:10) to make it through to the main round in third place in Preliminary Group D, behind Germany and Brazil.

“We knew that it's going to be difficult for us because all our opponents are very strong,” said Greece coach Maria Karantoni. “We didn't play very well and we wanted to take two points for the next round, but we didn't succeed – we needed three games to find our rhythm.”

Denmark saw off USA 2-0 (18:16, 28:26) to finish top of Group C and send their opponents into the consolation round. The Danes will be joined by the Netherlands and Norway in second and third respectively after the Dutch beat the Norwegians 2-1 (18:20, 32:20, SO 7:6) to take two points into the next stage.

After winning bronze at Greece 2022, the Netherlands are looking to go at least one podium spot higher at China 2024, according to player Anna Buter.

“We have grown as a team,” said Buter about the changes in the past two years for her side. “We have made so many steps above that – we can score on the right, on the left and we can change every position and I think we can do better.”

Buter, who has now scored 62 points in three games is the major threat for the Dutch and after losing their opener against Denmark via shoot-out, she is happy with the way things are looking now.

“To lose the first game was a tough start but we know we had a very good group,” she said. “Every game we have to be at our highest level at the start, so to win both games today it's a very, very good feeling. I don't mind if I'm scoring two points, 20 points or seven points. I only want to win and I'm doing everything for this.”

Host nation China confirmed their passage through to the main round from Group A, finishing in third behind group winners Portugal who beat them 2-0 (18:14, 20:7) to confirm a 100% record of three wins in three games. The Philippines had their most successful moment as a young Beach Handball nation, winning their second of two games today, seeing off the threat of Australia 2-0 (20:16, 24:11) this evening to progress at the Oceania champions’ expense.

The last two games of the day, were in Group B, with Croatia defeating Vietnam to qualify for the main round in third spot (2-0, 25:20, 22:20) and send the Asian champions into the consolation round. And on the central court, to round off a 32-game day, Argentina and Spain went all the way to a shoot-out, with the South American side defeating the Europeans, 10:8.

“We knew how to take the game forward after being behind, we came together as a team and took the points home,” said Argentina’s Zoe Turnes about the 2-1 (15:18, 21:20, SO 10:8) victory.

“The team is very united and we showed that on the court. This sport is a passion for me, I love it and enjoy it very much. Every time I cannot be with the team I miss it and them so much.”

Results, evening session – Wednesday 19 June 2024

Preliminary Group

Men’s Competition
GER vs QAT 2-0 (27:20, 26:16)
URU vs USA 1-2 (18:27, 18:14, SO 7:8)
CRO vs ARG 2-0 (20:16, 19:12)
POR vs PUR 2-0 (26:12, 28:8)
HUN vs DEN 2-1 (17:18, 22:20, SO 9:6)
OMA vs AUS 2-0 (20:14, 15:9)
BRA vs CHN 2-0 (25:10, 30:10)
ESP vs TUN 2-0 (22:20, 22:20)

Women’s Competition
GER vs BRA 1-2 (24:20, 14:23, SO 4:7)
GRE vs PUR 2-0 (28:20, 24:10)
NED vs NOR 2-1 (18:20, 32:20, SO 7:6)
DEN vs USA 2-0 (18:16, 28:26)
POR vs CHN 2-0 (18:14, 20:7)
PHI vs AUS 2-0 (20:16, 24:11)
ESP vs ARG 1-2 (18:15, 20:21, SO 8:10)
VIE vs CRO 0-2 (20:25, 20:22)