Divs - Sports Hall
Chile vs Algeria 09:00 local time – 23/24 Placement Match

Algeria and Chile meet to play-off for 23rd position on the final ranking after both teams lost their first President’s Cup game – Algeria in a penalty shootout against Argentina, and Chile in a Pan American showdown versus Venezuela. 

Algeria had a much better game than Chile did yesterday (August 16), and as a team known for their strong mentality that keeps them fighting hard through to the final whistle, are more likely to take the win here. Abdi Ayyoub, who scored nine goals with 100% on penalty shots (four goals from four attempts) was their key player against Argentina. 

For Chile, the most important players in the first President’s Cup game were Tomas Paulsen Donoso, who scored nine goals at 81.8% accuracy and goalkeeper Matias Canton Maingon.  

Germany vs Qatar 11:15 local time – 17/18 Placement Match (President's Cup Final)

The final of the President’s Cup sees Qatar take on Germany in what would look on paper to be most likely to end with a victory for the European team. 

Qatar are a strong side but Germany’s squad list is better – both teams are disappointed with their performance in the group phase, though Germany’s results are far more of a shock compared with what was expected of the European side ahead of the championship. 

Germany’s biggest problem will be Qatar goalkeeper Ahmed Abdelrhem, who is able to cause serious trouble for his team’s opponents no matter how the defence is playing. Qatar’s defence has so far been unable to unseat any ‘big’ team, apart from Eighth-Finalist Switzerland – for whom the group phase meeting with the Asian team was very disappointing. Germany should be able to find their way through and take the win, but how 60 minutes between two very different teams will go is always difficult to predict. 

Key players for Germany are Lukas Mertens and Bjorn Zintel, who are their top scorer with 26 goals each ahead of their first President’s Cup game, and Noah Beyer – 25 out of 28 goals in the group phase. They have two strong keepers to rely on in Paul Porath (40.7% cumulative save rate) and Joel Birlehm (33.3%). 

Uralian - Palace of Sports
Venezuela vs Argentina 09:00 local time – 21/22 Placement Match

Venezuela had a somewhat surprising five-goal victory over their South American neighbours Chile yesterday 27:32 (12:16) but it was no surprise as those who watched the game could see how motivated and pumped up the nation who had conceded the most (257) and scored the least (85) goals of the tournament going into the game.

Pedro Moreno was the top scorer of the game with 10 goals for Venezuela as they look to try and defeat an Argentina side, who should beat them on ranking and previous form.

Their coach Osvaldo Lopez will be happy his side not only won their game against the African side Algeria, but that they gained vital penalty experience, beating them on the second round of 7m throws to finish 29:28 (5:4, 24:24, 13:11).

Goalkeeper Agustin Forlino was in top form during the match and penalties as Argentina, lead by centre back Nicolas Bono, recorded their first win of Russia 2015 to spark wild celebrations.

“Our aim was to be in the Eighth-Finals but we didn’t make it,” said Bono after the Algeria match. “Now we have to win against Venezuela to finish 21st.

“It was difficult for our goalkeepers at first as we played France and Slovenia to start, but after these matches we were able to consolidate - goalkeepers are key at world championships.

“This experience at Russia 2015 has been really important for us as we don’t have teams at this level in Pan America so we have learnt a lot and it means a lot for us.

“I think we will do much better in the Junior World Championship in two years, and Argentina handball is improving - we have both our male and female teams qualified for Rio 2016.

“Brazil has grown a lot as well, especially in female handball, but Argentina has too, at our own pace. We have developed in male and female handball and we have to win our placement match - we have to do it for Argentina.”

Poland vs Japan 11:15 local time – 19/20 Placement Match

Japan lost their first match in the Placement Round against the strong Qatari’s 27:23 (14:9) yesterday but had trouble against Qatar’s taller defenders, with their attacks often blocked or intercepted.

Japan 'keeper Tatsu Moriwaki, who joined the starting 16 just two days ago in place of injured left back Ishado Makino, will again feature against a Poland side who lost 19:45 against Germany - their heaviest defeat of Russia 2015 and one of their biggest losses to Germany at youth level, if not their highest - 26 goals.

Scoring just seven goals in the first half, Poland were lacklustre and uninterested but one high point was Kamil Netz, who top scored on six for Poland.

It will be interesting to see if Japan can add to their one win at Russia 2015, against Argentina in the group stage, in what would be a further disastrous result for Poland, who must raise their game following the insipid performance against their neighbours last time out.