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Brazil retain title at the 2022 South and Central American Women's Handball Championship

21 Nov. 2022

Brazil retain title at the 2022 South and Central American Women's Handball Championship

For the third time in three editions at the South and Central American Women's Handball Championship, Brazil secured the title, dominating their opponents and clinching a ticket for the 2023 IHF Women's World Championship.

After winning the title in 2018 and 2021, Brazil headed to the South and Central American Women's Handball Championship as the big favourites. Still, they expected fierce opposition from hosts Argentina this time, as Eduardo Gallardo's side also had something to prove.

The tournament was played in a round-robin format with only five participating teams. There was no room for mistakes for any side and Brazil duly delivered an excellent performance, having both the best attack and the best defence in the competition.

They started the competition with a 32:18 win against Uruguay, followed by two other clear wins – 34:15 against Chile and 47:20 against Paraguay – to set up a crunch final against hosts Argentina in the last match of the tournament.

Argentina had previously lost both games at the South and Central American Women's Handball Championship against Brazil but riding their home support in Buenos Aires could have proven crucial in their quest for the first-ever continental crown.

Instead, Brazil started strongly and never looked back, with a 14:11 lead at the break looking impossible to cancel by Argentina. Despite a packed Estadio Mary Terán de Weiss, which saw over 3500 fans cheer for their favourites, Brazil secured a clear 26:19 win in the end. Their excellent centre back, Bruna de Paula, shone on the court with a 10-goal performance and the other centre back, Ana Paula Rodrigues, added five goals.

Brazil and Argentina sealed the two qualification berths for the 2023 IHF Women's World Championship in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, while Brazil secured their 14th consecutive participation in the world flagship handball event and Argentina qualified for the 11th time for the World Championship.

With four points out of two wins against Uruguay (24:23) and Paraguay (26:22), Chile finished third, while Uruguay came in fourth and Paraguay finished last after having lost all their matches. 

Final standings:

1.    Brazil

2.    Argentina 

3.    Chile

4.    Uruguay, 5. Paraguay

Photo: South and Central America Handball Confederation