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USA’s inside knowledge could prove key on day two

12 Jul. 2022

USA’s inside knowledge could prove key on day two

A short morning session of just three games is scheduled for the second day of the men’s beach handball competition at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.

After the adrenaline-pumped first day of action yesterday six of the seven men’s teams in the US are on the court today, with New Zealand having the day off.

First up is the clash between Croatia and Qatar who both won their opening games yesterday and who both have a history against each other in the global multi-sport event.

In 2017, Croatia beat Qatar in the semi-finals 2-1. The European side eventually finished with silver and Qatar took bronze. Back in 2013 they met for bronze, with Croatia winning via shoot-out again.

Croatia are current world champions, while Qatar finished as runners-up at the Asian championships earlier this year.

However, the big clash today, for the home fans at least, is between The World Games historic-best winners Brazil and the host nation USA on the central court at 10:50.

“Two wins, great start,” said USA coach Michael Hinson to ihf.info this morning. “It puts us in a good position, but the reality is no one remembers how you start, it’s about the finish. There is much more work to come.

“Handball is not as popular in this country yet as we would like, but being able to play in front of a large crowd with your family and friends cheering on home soil is a dream come true,” he continued.

“Everyone understands for this sport to grow in this country we need to create excitement and emotions that everyone wants to be a part of. 

“Our athletes and fans won’t remember the score of these games in five years, but they will remember the emotions and how they felt participating in such an amazing event in their home country with hundreds and hopefully thousands of people cheering for their every play.”

Those emotions could be even more today as the US have some special inside knowledge on the Brazil men’s team: their former coach, and beach handball legend, Antonio Guerra Peixe joined the home squad after the World Championship, where he coached Islamic Republic of Iran (who also played Brazil).

“Antonio helped facilitate a couple of weeks’ training camp for our team between the conclusion of the World Championship and the start of The World Games,” explains USA player Ebiye Udo-Udoma.

“Now that the competition has started, he’s on our sidelines as an assistant coach. His influence has been very valuable to us and we can contribute some of our early success in the competition to him.”

In the third match, Argentina take on Puerto Rico with both looking for their first wins after losing twice yesterday.

There have been no shoot-outs yet in the men’s competition but that is likely to change today.