Romania progressed to the main round of the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship, with their second win in a row in the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, 31:27, against Japan.

GROUP A
Romania vs Japan 31:27 (16:14)

The maths were simple: a Romania win would have seen them through to the main round and piled the pressure on Japan. A Japan win would have blown the group wide open – as this was predicted to be the most balanced group of the competition – then setting up a fiery last day of the preliminary round in Rotterdam on Monday.

But Romania looked to have the upper hand after a clear win against Croatia, while Japan lost in double-digits against Denmark in the maiden match. But the reality was different and the Asian side showed a totally different face in the first half of the match, pressuring Romania from all sides.

There were 49 attacks in the first half, with a fast-paced style from both teams, as Romania had an average attack duration of 28 seconds, with Japan one second faster, with the two teams constantly trading blows.

Romania had the upper hand in the start, but Japan slowly bounced back, using a 3:0 unanswered run to take their maiden lead in this competition, 5:4, after 10 minutes. With the two sides combining for 17 turnovers – seven for Romania and 10 for Japan – mistakes were decisive, but Romania eventually pulled away late in the first half.

Three consecutive goals scored by line player Lorena Ostase – who had five goals in the first half – helped Romania establish a 13:11 lead, one which they managed to keep until the end of the first half, 16:14, after centre back Rebeca Necula scored a scorching buzzer-beater.

However, Japan bounced back after the break and constantly kept Romania in check, never dropping back to more than two goals until the 46th minute. In fact, led by centre back Natsuki Aizawa, the Asian side tied the score immediately, but never went ahead, constantly coming from behind.

And that was only until Romania really stepped up in defence. Scoring two of Romania’s three goals between the 43rd and the 49th minute, right wing Mihaela Mihai helped her side open up a 24:21 lead, the biggest in the match, making it look increasingly likely that the European side will win the second of the three encounters between the two sides at the IHF Women’s World Championship over the past four editions.

But, in the end, it was the higher efficiency in the clutch moment which decided the match. Ostase and left back Sorina Grozav combined for 16 goals for Romania, as Japan missed key shots, with the European side eventually clinching a 31:27 win, their second in a row at Germany/Netherlands 2025, as well as the second in a row against Japan.

With their second win in two matches, Romania qualified for the main round, becoming the first team in the group to seal their tickets. They will face Denmark in the next match, but they are sure to have at least two points in the next phase.

Meanwhile, Japan are facing a must-win match against Croatia on Monday, with a win being their ticket for the next phase of the competition.

hummel Player of the Match: Lorena Ostase (Romania)