Brazil march through to the quarter-finals in Dortmund

South and Central America champions Brazil defeated African champions Angola by six goals as they moved up to eight points in main round, group IV to secure their passage through to the last eight – the first to do so from the group, but with the win, taking Norway with them at the expense of Sweden and Angola, due to the head-to-head record.

Main Round, Group IV
Angola vs Brazil 26:32 (15:18)

Just like their must-win game at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to secure a quarter-final spot, which saw Brazil take a 30:19 win to propel themselves over their opposition and into the final eight, the South Americans had another chance to win and qualify, albeit in a game with less pressure.

A tight first half gave way to a Brazilian defensive and offensive onslaught in the second half as four goals from Gabriela Clausson Bitolo in a nine-minute period (36-45th minute) moved the South Americans from 22:18 ahead to double figures (28:18) and sealed the two points and a quarter-final spot.

In the opening exchanges, it was de Paula vs Paulo as Brazilian captain Bruna de Paulo led her team from the front, with Angola’s Helen Paulo responding in kind. This duel would continue throughout the 60 minutes, the only difference being the depth of the Brazilian squad to keep their defence strong and attack effective.

Key Angolan line player and captain Albertina Kassoma did not go on the scoresheet until the seventh minute (4:3) and was largely quiet, scoring just three times and assisting by the same.

At 7:5 up (12th minute), de Paula had already recorded her fourth goal, but Angola kept in touch, Kassoma breaking through to make it 9:9 and then had a chance to go ahead, through Isabel Guialo but her shot was saved.

10 minutes later a +4 run saw them ahead 13:9 and the game at risk of getting away from them – Angola coach Carlos Viver remonstrating with the table officials in frustration five minutes from the end of the half as his side went further behind (17:12, 27th minute).

A late rally from Angola brought the score within three (18:15) before half-time but the beginning of the second half was to prove their downfall.

“We tried to fight against them but made a lot of mistake,” said Kassoma after the game. “We are not satisfied, but at least we can say that we fought until the end. We create situations in attack but missed shots. At some moments we were a bit lost. Our last match, against Sweden, will be tough but we will come with everything we have.”

The win is Brazil’s fifth in a row at Germany/Netherlands 2025 and they now can relax a little bit in their final preliminary group game against Norway on Sunday (7 December), while Angola are out of contention and will play their final match against Sweden. 

“To win all five matches means the world to us, because this was our goal,” said Brazil’s Giulia Guarieiro. “Today they were really tough on defence but we managed with some great shots and working together, united.”

hummel Player of the Match: Bruna de Paula (Brazil)