Main Round Group III: Promising clashes to conclude main round action

All games today in Granollers are matches with teams very close to each other in the standings in main round Group III. And we start from bottom to top. First Congo and Czech Republic will match up and one of them might be able to bring home the first win of the main round. After that, Republic of Korea and Hungary fight it out for the third place in the group. Last but surely not least, both unbeaten and already quarter-final bound, Denmark and Germany face each other tonight. 

Congo vs Czech Republic 15:30 CET 

This match is not about the quarter finals anymore – as both teams are at the bottom of the group with no chance to qualify for the next stage. But nevertheless, bot teams are eager to finish the main round stage with a win. 

African side Congo made history even entering this main round and showed great development throughout the championship already. They played a tremendous second half against Hungary on Friday but fell short in the end. Now, they are eager to get back with their full team. Goalkeeper Ruth Kodia, captain Diane Yimga, Neida Divoko and line player Sharon Dorson sat out or played less due to illnesses. 

European side the Czech Republic were eager to show some good games during this competition. They fell short against Korea by six goals, and they got run over by favourites Denmark. Congo seem like a better opponent for the Czechs on paper – we will find out how it looks like on court. 

“We want to win and we will do our best. High-quality players who are well-equipped will be up against us. We have to be prepared for everything,” stated Czech Republic right back Markéta Hurychová ahead of the game.

Republic of Korea vs Hungary 18:00 CET 

Also no quarter-finals for Korea and Hungary but it promises to be a close and exciting match as the third- and fourth-placed team of the group play each other. Korea fell short against the strong Germans on Friday, running out of power in the second half. 

Coach Jang In-Ik said: “We played our best. We were physically tired and this is the reason why we lost.” Nevertheless, his team have played an outstanding World Championship so far and key player Lee Migyeong will for sure try to put another great performance on display. 

European powerhouse Hungary are happy to have gotten their confidence back after it was lost in between games against Denmark and Germany. Their victory versus Congo gave them the sweet taste of it – and they surely want more. 

Denmark vs Germany 20:30 CET

What a delight, this game! Everyone is looking forward to Denmark and Germany meeting tonight. A special game, especially for Germany’s goalkeeper Dinah Eckerle, who plays at Team Esbjerg in Denmark and is coached there by nobody else than Denmark national team coach Jesper Jensen. 

“I wished him good luck before leaving Esbjerg – of course not against us and I also warned him about us,” she said in a press event of the German team. “We are very happy to have no pressure about this last game,” she added, and coach Henk Groener stated: “Of course the big game for us is the quarter final but we do not want to lose our rhythm and that’s why we keep playing with high intensity.” 

The Denmark side had a solid tournament so far; however they did have a slow start against the Czech Republic on Friday. Regardless, they were able to pull off a solid win after a stronger second half, making it five wins out of five. Key player and goalkeeper Sandra Toft is in excellent shape at this World Championship and will be a tough one to overcome for the German offence. 

Denmark and Germany will meet Spain and Brazil in the quarter-finals – but who meets whom, is still to be decided.