The third day in Group C started again with a thrilling match between Montenegro and Japan. Although the team from coach Per Johansson were favourites, it was the Japan side who eventually claimed the two points (28:29).

 

The current Olympic Champions from Russia booked their ticket to the round of 16 with their third consecutive win against Brazil (24:16) and like Russia the Danes gave Tunisia a hard time, taking their next two points after a convincing 37:16 victory.

 

Montenegro vs Japan 28:29 (15:12)  

 

After the defeats on Day 2 both teams were eager to win their third match. Already from the beginning it was a close encounter in which Montenegro could take the lead and held Japan at bay. But the team from coach Ulrik Kirkely kept always in touching distance. And at the latest when Montenegro were with two players down, the momentum was with the Asian runners-up.

 

Two goals by top scorer (9 from 10 attempts) Ayaka Ikehara brought Japan back into the game, taking the lead twenty minutes before the end (21:20). Although the Japan side played with new speed and enthusiasm Montenegro were able to equalise (26:26). In a dramatic finish Japanese player Aya Yokoshima found her way through the Montenegrin defence, scoring the 29:28 final score. With one last attack remaining it was Katarina Bulatovic’s pass that landed in the wrong hands, letting Japan celebrate their first win.

 

“We knew that Japan play a different system than we’re used to play in Europe. We tried to be prepared but in the end it was a plus for them,” said Jelena Despotovic after their defeat. On the other side the satisfaction was high: “We enjoyed the game a lot. We’re very happy but we also need to realise that there are still two matches to go and that we stick and play together as a team,” commentated player of the match Ayaka Ikahara the result.

 

Russia vs Brazil 24:16 (14:7)

 

“We haven’t had a good start to the game like in our previous matches”, said Brazilian goalkeeper Mayssa Pessoa. The reigning Olympic champions had no problems against Brazil and it was Kseniia Makeeva who put the Russia side 7 goals ahead at half-time.

 

“We had problems with the Russian attack but my team had the spirit to come back stronger in the second half, but it’s tough to play against Russia,” analysed coach Jorge Duenas after the match. Brazil performed better in the last 30 minutes but could never close the gap, also because of Russia’s goalkeeper Elena Utkina, who was awarded Player of the Match.

 

“Of course we’re happy that we won our third match today,” said Utkina. Her counterpart from Brazil, Pessoa, looks already forward to the upcoming encounter against Denmark: “We need to wake up. We need to focus and to concentrate. We are a good but also new team with lots of young players who play their first World Championship. But tomorrow we need to beat Denmark.”

 

Denmark vs Tunisia 37:19 (15:6)

 

In the beginning of the last match of the day in Oldenburg none of the two teams could pull away. But further on there was no way through for the Tunisia side. The spectators saw an aggressive Danish defence with a good performance by Sandra Toft between the post - two key factors for a 9-goal lead after the first half.

 

After the break the team of Player of the Match Lotte Grigel continued with a very strong performance, both in defence and attack, giving Tunisia little chance to find their way back into the game. “I’m proud of girls. We saw the match against Brazil in which Tunisia pressured them. But we were well prepared and it makes me more secure when I take a look at the upcoming matches against Brazil and Russia,” said Klavs Bruun Jørgensen and pivot Sara Iversen added: “The atmosphere in the team is very good right now. All players got playing time on court and showed a good performance.”

 

“Today it was a painful outcome for us. We wanted to surprise Denmark but it didn’t work out. We try to continue with our work and maybe we can surprise another team later in the competition,” stated Ines Khouildi.