Iceland make it two out of two in President's Cup against Paraguay

After two losses and one draw in the preliminary round, Iceland are on a positive streak in the President's Cup Group I, sealing their second win in a row, 25:19, against Paraguay.

President’s Cup Group I
Paraguay vs Iceland 19:25 (9:13)

Paraguay's chances looked slim after only 10 minutes, despite an impeccable performance of left wing Maria Fernandez Estigarribia, who scored with her first three shots. But turnovers and hasty finishes in attack opened the door for Iceland to make a break. Taking full advantage of it, Iceland created their first two-goal lead and from that moment on, it was game over for the South American side.

Just moments later, goalkeeper Hafdis Renötudottir took the spotlight with her strings of saves and was the fulcrum for Iceland's 12:5 lead after 18 minutes of play. Renötudottir closed the first half with ten saves at 53% save efficiency, as she was clearly the reason why the European side had a 13:0 at the break. 

Paraguay continued at the same pace, being the dominant side in the first ten minutes of the second half. As a result, they came down to two and even had a chance to score for a one-goal deficit but failed, which proved to be the pivotal moment of the match. Iceland changed their tactics in defence, switching from 6-0 to 5-1 and challenged Paraguay once again, needing only five minutes to restore a five-goal lead (20:15).

In the closing stages of the game, both sides slowed things down and kept the same gap. The hummel Player of the Match, Fernanda Insfran Mora, led the Chilean attack with seven goals scored, while her rivals were flying on the performances of Perla Ruth Albertsdóttir (seven goals) and Hafdis Renötudottir (14 saves).

With two wins in their hands, Iceland are now eyeing their last President's Cup Group I where they will face the People's Republic of China, a likely battle for the first place in the group. Paraguay will seek their maiden with at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023 against Greenland, another side which failed to win until this moment in the competition.

hummel Player of the Match: Fernanda Insfran Mora (Chile)