The Islamic Republic of Iran end Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023 with a historic win

Two years ago, at Spain 2021, the Islamic Republic of Iran finished 31st, after their game against the People's Republic of China was registered 10:0 in their favour after China had to withdraw from the competition. This time around, at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023, Iran secured the same position, after a comeback and a strong 28:23 win against Greenland, celebrating their first-ever victory at the world flagship competition.

President's Cup
Placement Match 31/32
Greenland vs Islamic Republic of Iran 23:28 (12:12)

In the first 13 minutes of the game, the Islamic Republic of Iran managed to score only two goals - for a 1:0 lead at the start and to narrow their deficit to 2:5 as the clock hit the 13th minute. During that period, Greenland were efficient, taking long-range shots, as left back Ivalu Cecilie Bjerge led the pack.

Iran decided to change tactics and with a strong 5-1 defence, they came back to life in the last ten minutes of the first half. With two 3:0 goal runs, they first cut the Greenlandic lead to 5:7 and only moments later Asra Zandi scored her second for a tie (8:8). The score was deadlocked from the halftime break and up until the 45th minute of the game, with the exception of Iran having a narrow lead.

But then Iran stepped up their tempo. From a 38% shooting efficiency in the first half to a very good 62%, their evolution helped them seal the win. With goalkeeper Fatemeh Khalili Behfar, who ended the last World Championship game with 13 saves and 63 saves in total after all seven matches, the Islamic Republic of Iran made a three-goal run and set 24:21.

Greenland did not give up and they shifted their defence, a move which helped Rina Moller Lorentzen to collect a few more saves, but their hasty attack came in the way of any possible comeback, despite the top performance of hummel Player of the Game Ivalu Cecilie Bjerge. Once again Fatemeh Merikh led Iran with her six goals, and Asra Zandi was one goal behind her.

Merikh, who has now 41 goals, is currently the third top scorer at the 2023 IHF Women's World Championship, an astonishing feature for the 19-year-old back, who made her debut on this stage at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023.

With a 28:23 win, the Islamic Republic of Iran secured 31st place for the second time at the World Championship and also claimed their first-ever win. Greenland, on the other hand, returned to the World Championship after a 22-year hiatus and closed their Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023 journey finishing on the last place, just like they did back in 2001, failing to seal their maiden win.

hummel Player of the Match: Ivalu Cecilie Bjerge (Greenland)