The Netherlands secured their third win in as many matches, 29:26, erasing a five-goal Romania lead, to clinch the first place in Group A and start the main round with two points.

GROUP A
Romania vs Netherlands 26:29 (14:16)

A fiery clash between Romania and the Netherlands was going to decide the group winner and, on paper, it was Netherlands which looked more consistent, better well-rounded and with a bigger chance to secure the first place in the standings in the final match of Group A at the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship.

But it was Romania which dominated the proceedings in the start of the match, delivering a blistering start of the match, which saw the bronze medallists from the W19 EHF EURO 2023 secure a 10:5 start, firmly in contention to secure the win.

A great display once again from backs Diana Lixăndroiu and Alisia Boiciuc, who scored seven out of Romania’s 14 goals in the first half, or 50%, helped Romania enjoy a better start, with fellow back Anamaria Grigore and left wing Beatrice Raicea score two goals each.

Despite conceding four suspensions and featuring with a player less for eight minutes in the first half, the Netherlands did not back down for a second and even delivered some excellent moments while being shorthanded, with another well-rounded display – seven players scoring at least one goal in the first half – helping them muster a comeback.

Physical, determined and gritter in defence, the Netherlands used a 11:5 run to end the first half, as back Daphne Luchies scored four goals, to create a two-goal lead at the break, 16:14, with Romania faltering at the end of the first half, especially as coach Simona Maior-Pașca needed to rest key players like Boiciuc and Lixăndroiu.

It went from bad to worse for Romania, as goalkeeper Bianca Schanssema started to get in a groove for the Dutch team, after saving 75% of the shots she faced against the Islamic Republic of Iran in the first day at North Macedonia 2024. On the back on her superb saves, the Netherlands opened a five-goal lead, 20:15, as Romania’s attack started to falter.

There were little options outside of entrusting Lixăndroiu with the keys of the attack and the left back eventually started turning the ball over and missing easy shots, with Romania failing to cut the gap to two goals at one point, which would have probably put extreme pressure on the Dutch side.

A drop to 53% shooting efficiency and 17 turnovers conceded in the match meant that Romania could not do anything to prevent their first loss in the competition, as the Netherlands were ruthless and efficient, dominating the second half, on their way to the third consecutive win, 29:26.

The Netherlands have now won Group A at the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship and will start the main round with two points. In Group I, Switzerland will also have two points, therefore Romania need wins against Switzerland and Egypt to hope for a quarter-finals berth, after starting with zero points. 

Alkaloid Player of the Match: Daphne Luchies (Netherlands)