Samba at Spain 2021: Brazil win big against Croatia

One year removed after their best performance ever, third place at the Women’s EHF EURO 2020, Croatia were stopped early in their tracks in the comeback at the IHF Women’s World Championship, conceding a heavy loss, 25:30, against Brazil.

The South American side started the IHF Women’s World Championship with a win for the first time since their title-winning campaign at Serbia 2013, as they are now on track to improve their performance from the last three editions, despite high-profile players like back Eduarda Amorim and right wing Alexandra do Nascimento retiring after the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

GROUP G
Croatia vs Brazil 25:30 (12:18)

For a moment, Croatia and Brazil looked like they were going in totally opposite directions. While Croatia secured the bronze medal at the EHF EURO 2020 last December, Brazil have not finished higher than 10th after winning the trophy at Serbia 2013.

Yet everything was turned upside down in Castelló in the first half of the opening clash of Group G as Brazil took a commanding lead after a flawless 30 minutes.

Croatia looked far from their best even from the start of the game, as the defence was too porous, with diminutive backs Bruna de Paula and Ana Paula Rodrigues Belo dribbling their way to goals.

As the Croatian goalkeepers – Tea Pijevic and Ivana Kapitanovic – only combined for five saves in the first half, Brazil kept pounding, boasting an outstanding 72% attacking efficiency, with the gap ballooning accordingly.

First, Brazil opened a three-goal gap, 8:5, after 12 minutes, with Croatia cutting it to only one goal, 10:9. But the European side could only muster three goals in the last 14 minutes of the first half, with Brazil firmly in control.

It was also a case of Croatia missing their mojo and exactly the elements that helped them get back to the IHF Women’s World Championship after a 10-year wait. There was no cohesion, no passion and they definitely looked lost at times.

While Croatia might have started the second half with a 2:0 run, they could just not sustain the rhythm imposed by Brazil. A superb pair of consecutive saves by Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara Arenhart worked wonders for the South American’s side morale, as the gap grew even bigger, 24:15, after 42 minutes.

As nerves started to creep in the Croatian players’ minds, their attacking output was still hampered, as they converted only 57% of their shots, with Brazil still on par with their performance from the first half, especially with left back Bruna de Paula in superb form, scoring seven goals and dishing five assists, a performance that helped her secure the hummel Player of the Match award. 

Therefore, it was a straightforward conclusion that Brazil secured an impressive and crucial win, 30:25, a statement of intent to other opponents. While it might not have been the biggest win in ages for the South American side, it was surely a crucial one, which will act as a huge relief for Brazil in the coming matches.

Brazil will face Japan on Saturday, while Croatia have a must-win match against Paraguay, a good occasion to get back on track at Spain 2021.

hummel Player of the Match: Bruna de Paula, Brazil

Photo: RFEBM / Á. Bermejo