Serbia claimed first place in Group D when they continued their unbeaten run through the 23rd IHF Women’s World Championship preliminary round, defeating Republic of Korea by five goals after a top-quality contest. With the result, Serbia moved up to eight points while Korea remained on six. The Asian champions therefore rank fourth on the table behind The Netherlands in second, and Germany in third.

Round 5 saw The Netherlands put on their best performance so far at Germany 2017, defeating the hosts with an unexpectedly clear eight-goal margin secured thanks to a much stronger first half than the hosts. Both teams finished the preliminary round on seven points, but The Netherlands place second on the table thanks to the head-to-head result. All four European sides are now ready to play the eighth-finals.

In the first match of the day, Cameroon came back from a three-goal deficit with 90 seconds on the clock to draw with People’s Republic of China. The result placed the African team fifth on the table, while PR of China finish sixth. Cameroon will therefore play for positions 17-20, which means they have already beat their previous result of 22nd at their only previous World Championship in 2005. PR of China will contest places 21-24.

 

GROUP D
Republic of China vs Cameroon 26:26 (13:13)

Though the match ended in a draw, Cameroon celebrated as though it were a victory, while PR of China were left stunned by the last 90 seconds. As the full-time buzzer neared, a strong period from PR of China meant they took a three-goal lead and looked on their way to victory – but Cameroon had the last say with three consecutive goals from Jacky Baniomo that levelled the score.

“We are very disappointed. We have to blame ourselves. It was in our hands to win this game and make fifth place in our group,” said China coach Jesper Holmris.

The match was level throughout the first half. Both teams had periods of inconsistency, allowing the other to score several goals in a row before the gap was closed, and the first 30 minutes ended with a level score line that reflected the game on court. The second half saw the advantage change hands, as Cameroon claimed the upper hand with a four-goal score line at 20:16 in the 42nd minute before China took their turn. After trailing 18:22 as the last 10 minutes began, China recorded an 8:1 run that turned the four-goal deficit into a 26:23 lead. It seemed all the momentum was behind the Asian team, but Baniomo then added two unanswered goals that paved the way for her teammate Noelle Mben Mbediang to secure the draw with a save on China’s last attack and a perfect fast-break throw to Baniomo.

“It was a very close match and, in the end, we are glad about this happy ending,” said Cameroon’s Lisa Atangana Belibi.

Player of the Match presented by adidas: Qiao RU (CHN)

 

The Netherlands vs Germany 31:23 (18:10)

When they faced the hosts on Friday, The Netherlands found the form that carried them through their silver medal-winning campaign in Denmark in 2015, taking a decisive win with a commanding performance from the first whistle. After just five minutes Germany coach Michael Biegler was forced to call his first time-out as The Netherlands created a 4:1 advantage, but in the first half, his team had no answer for the deep squad, strong defence and well-organised attack they faced.

“Today was a really good day for us. The defence was good and Tess [Wester] was good in goal,” said Netherlands coach Helle Thomsen, while right wing Angela Malestein added: “We played better today. This was our best game.”

The Netherlands coach Thomsen rotated through her whole squad during the match, making the first changes early and bringing almost her entire list of 16 on the court in the first 20 minutes. Every single player delivered their best game, making it clear The Netherlands were well-prepared for the high-pressure encounter in a packed Arena Leipzig. Not only was it a great match from her players, but Thomsen played a smart tactical game herself, with extensive rotation, changing defensive formations, and occasional use of seven-on-six. By half-time, the 2015 runners-up had created an eight-goal lead that would prove the decisive factor.

In the second 30 minutes, Germany put on a much stronger performance, with a great game from 21-year-old Alicia Stolle in particular. Stolle scored no less than six goals in her 30 minutes on court, and was the biggest threat to The Netherlands’ defence. The second half saw a level score of 13:13, showing just how much Germany’s poor first half had hurt them, while The Netherlands could thank their performance in the first period for the clear win they celebrated at the final whistle.

“The result is OK because we were not really on the field for half the game,” said Biegler. “We made lots of mistakes in attack and gave the Netherlands very, very easy balls for them to play their excellent fast-break game.”

Player of the Match presented by adidas: Nycke GROOT (NED)

 

Serbia vs Republic of Korea 33:28 (15:14)

2013 runners-up Serbia had to put up a strong fight to defeat Republic of Korea, but they managed thanks to an all-around team effort in which almost every player contributed on the scoreboard, recording a five-goal victory to win Group D.

“It was a great spectacle tonight in Leipzig. Really on the level of the World Championship,” said Serbia coach Ljubomir Obradovic following the match.

Though they finished the first half with a one-goal lead, Serbia did not play their strongest 30 minutes to start the match, making some costly choices in attack that meant they lost the ball due to their own errors on several occasions. Republic of Korea played with more discipline than the 2013 runners-up, taking an early lead and leaving Serbia to close the gap at the end of the first 10 minutes (4:4). From that point it was a level game, with Korea’s fast attack working well to find gaps in Serbia’s flexible defence, while the European team relied on outside goals and their wings.

Early in the second half Serbia created a two-goal advantage thanks to a breakthrough from right back Jelena Lavko, and that same difference remained as the last quarter of the match began. Korea came back to equalise temporarily, before Serbia pulled away for good. Korea changed to a more offensive 3-2-1 defensive system just outside the last five minutes of the game when they were behind 27:26, but Serbia maintained control and held on to maintain their unbeaten run through the preliminary round.  

“We played the whole 60 minutes tonight. We gave our maximum, and the result is here,” said Serbia line player Sladana Pop-Lazic, while Korea wing Sojeong Yu added: “Until the last 15 minutes in the second half we played a good game, but then we lost, so I am disappointed.”

Player of the Match presented by adidas: Sladana POP-LAZIC (SRB)