Group H: Argentina and PR of China to contest main round berth

While Spain and Austria are already through to the main round, they will play for the points to take with them to the next stage, while the meeting between Argentina and PR of China will determine the third main round participant from Group H. 

Argentina vs PR of China 18:00 CET

The South American team wrote history on Saturday, as the 31:29 victory in the game with Austria was their maiden win against a European team at the World Championship.

That result has certainly boosted their morale and with two points under their belt, Argentina have a good chance to reach the main round. In the last group match against China, even a draw will see them through.

“I’m very happy with the win against Austria, but we have some things to improve. Now we will celebrate, but then we’ll think about the match with China, as the World Championship is just starting,” says Argentina's left back Elke Karsten, who scored 11 goals against Austria.

With two defeats against Austria and Spain, China sit bottom of the group but still have a chance to progress to the main round. In case Austria snatch some points from Spain, any win against Argentina will secure the Asian team’s promotion. And if Austria lose, China will need a seven-goal victory on Monday to seal their berth in the main round. 

Actually, China have won both previous encounters with Argentina at the World Championships, 25:16 at China 2009 and 35:27 at Denmark 2015. But can they do it at Spain 2021? 

Spain vs Austria 20:30 CET

Spain are the only team in Group H to boast the maximum of four points after two games, as commanding wins against Argentina and China secured their spot in the main round.

However, now the championship hosts are determined to defeat Austria in their last group encounter and thus take four points with them to the next competition stage.

In the past, the two European teams met just once at the World Championship, as Spain narrowly beat Austria 27:26 at Croatia 2003. Playing at home with the vocal support of their fans, now ‘Las Guerreras’ are seen as favourites ahead of Monday’s encounter.

Austria’s comeback to the World Championship after 12 years of absence did not go as expected, as the team have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Five important players and head coach Herbert Müller tested positive for the disease and therefore cannot help their team. However, the Austrians have already secured their main round spot despite a two-goal defeat against Argentina. 

Even if they lose against Spain and China beat Argentina, three teams will be level on two points, but Austria will not be the last on goal difference in head-to-head encounters as they have "+9" combined against Argentina and China.

Photo: RFEBM / J. L. Recio