Tournament 1: Win and in, but for who?

Ahead of the final round of matches later today all four teams from the Tokyo Handball Qualification 2020 – Men’s Tournament 1 can still qualify through to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
 
First up is a South America classic with Brazil taking on Chile. The Brazilians know a draw or win, coupled with Republic of Korea failing to beat Norway later will see them through. For Chile, who have lost both games so far, know a +4 win, coupled with a Norwegian win, would see them through.
 
The late game between Norway and Korea has an unlikely mathematical scenario where Norway could fail to qualify, but Korea will need a big win should Brazil beat Chile. If they do not, then Korea need only a draw to confirm their Olympic spot.
 
Brazil vs Chile 17:30 CET
 
Chile coach Matteo Garralda rested key players Erwin Feuchtmann, Emil Feuchtmann, Marco Oneto, Victor Donoso, Javier Frelijj and Rodrigo Salinas in their 23:38 loss against Norway yesterday, saving them for this do-or-die match which they need to win by four and then hope the Norwegians beat Korea in the subsequent clash.
 
“All the players accepted the situation,” said Garralda to ihf.info about the conversations he had with the experienced set of six players. “We trust Norway [to win], we have to trust them, and if they win against Korea, we have a chance, but it will be really difficult as Brazil have some really good players, but why not?”
 
Garralda’s opposite number Marcus Oliveira won his first game in charge of Brazil in person after missing Egypt 2021 due to COVID-19 and will seal a Tokyo spot if his side avoids defeat and Korea fail to win.
 
“We have three great matches here,” he said. “We lost against Norway which we knew would be difficult, against Korea we did a good job and respected them a lot. However, we will study Chile a lot because they are a rival in South America for us and are a great team now. We have to respect them, but we have an opportunity [to qualify].
 
“It was so hard for me and the three players to miss the world championship but now I am so happy because I have the opportunity to work with this team,” added the coach to ihf.info. “Back in 2019 I was with the team on the staff, but now I have the opportunity to show my job and I am happy.”
 
Brazil beat Chile at the 2020 South and Central America Handball Confederation (SCAHC) Championship by 12 (32:20), while Chile beat Brazil in the semi-final of the 2019 Pan American Games, 32:29 (18:15).
 
If Chile do qualify, it will be their debut appearance at an Olympic Games.
 
Republic of Korea vs Norway 20:00 CET
 
Norway coach Christian Berge was quick to point out at the post-match media conference following his sides’ 15-goal win against Chile that they had not qualified for Tokyo 2020 yet, but the facts are they are all but there, given such an unlikely mathematical scenario needed to knock them out.
 
If they do qualify tonight as expected – and put to bed failed attempts to qualify back in 2008 and 2016 – it will be only the second time in history the Norwegian men have made it through, after they appeared at the debut edition of the modern game at Munich 1972.
 
“We are all aware of it, and it shows how difficult it is to come to the Olympics,” said Norway captain Bjarte Myrhol, who played in both 2008, alongside now coach Berge Lund, and in 2016.
 
“They are not the proudest moments of my career, but we haven't talked about it here in Podgorica, we are just looking at it here and trying to learn from the experiences that what we are having here now.”
 
Korea on the other hand could find themselves only needing a draw but will be going for a win to ensure their ticket through to neighbouring Japan next July.
 
Their attack was blunted against the Brazilian defence numerous times, scoring just nine in the first half, but could rely again on goalkeeper Jaeyong Park to keep them in touch for large parts of the game before succumbing to a 24:30 loss.
 
Coach Il Koo Kang replaced centre back Jaeseo Lim with left back Taegyu Kim overnight as he looks to increase the firepower up front and cause problems for the European side.
 
Republic of Korea and Norway have clashed four times, with the Scandinavian side winning three, including the most recent match, a 34:32 main round victory at the 2007 IHF Men’s World Championship in Germany.

Photo: Stefan Ivanovic/RSCG