After their intercontinental eighth-final encounters on Sunday (15 December), France and Germany are the first teams to clinch their berth for the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Championship in Serbia. Germany will face the winner of today’s last match Denmark vs. Montenegro, while France on Wednesday (18 December) will fight against the winner of the match Poland vs. Romania.

Eighth-finals, day 1:

In Belgrade:

France – Japan 27:19 (12:9)

France had enormous problems in the first 40 minutes. The 2009 and 2011 World Championship silver medallist played extremely slow and could not profit from their physical advantage in the first half. In contrast, Japan had adapted perfectly on the French style of attacking.

Both teams were highly nervous in the initial stages – so the match was poor of goals. After twelve minutes the score was only 4:4. But after a time-out of coach Alain Portes the French team improved, forging ahead to 10:7 thanks to their more stable defence and a higher scoring efficiency.  This distance remained until the break.

Japanese coach Masamichi Kuriyama found the right words in the halftime break. His team started extremely strong, scored four consecutive goals to be ahead by 13:12. And in minute 40, “Nippon’s daughters” even were ahead by 17:15.

But when Shiori Nagata received a red card after her third suspension in minute 45 France got the upper hand again and decided the match. A 6:0 series, finished by Dounia Abdourahim for 21:17, paved the way to a finally easily-earned victory – and like in 2011, when they were closely eliminated by Denmark, Japan return home after the eighth-finals.

The Japanese downswing could not even be stopped by a time-out, the Asians lacked power and concentration, causing an enormous number of turnovers and did not score for 16 (!) minutes, while the French team forged ahead to an impressive intermediate 10:0 series for 25:17.

Best scorers were Nina Kamto (France), Shio Fuji and Yuko Arihama (both Japan) by five goals each.

Statements after the match: 

France coach Alain Portes: “I am delighted with our passage to the quarter-finals because Japan caused us a lot of problems and played a fantastic game for 45 minutes. We’ve played against two Asian teams in this World Championship and it’s definitely not easy to adapt to their style. Our quarter-final counterparts will be European one way or the other, so it will be easier for us to switch back to a style we are more familiar with. The 10:0 run we made in the second half was crucial against Japan.”

Siraba Dembele, France player: “I am very happy that we have qualified for the quarter-finals. We beat a very good team who gave us a hard time but in the end we were stronger and came out on top.”

Japan coach Masamichi Kuriyama: “I am a little bit disappointed that we lost the game but we got beaten by a world-class team and I am very proud how my team performed in this match. The girls fought hard and gave everything they had but France were just too strong for us, so we bowed out of the tournament with our heads high and our pride intact.”

Megumi Takahashi, Japan player: “We proved here in the group stage that we can hold our own against European rivals and we also showed it this afternoon, but France were on a different level in the last quarter of the game. I hope we will be a better team in the next World Championship in two years’ time.   

In Novi Sad:

Germany – Angola 29:21 (13:10)

Germany took revenge for the painful 22:25 defeat at the 2011 World Championships at Brazil against the African champion, which had eliminated them from the knock-out stage. This time the German settled an old bill and won easily by 29:21. While Angola are out of this competition Germany will stay in Novi Sad to play their quarter-final on Wednesday 18 December either against Denmark or Montenegro.

Germany started quite nervous and missed several shots. During the first nine minutes the goal bar was the “best player of Angola”. The Europeans hit the post no fewer than six (!) times. As a consequence Angola were in lead by 5:2, but then Germany easily leveled the match at 6:6 after 14 minutes and took their first lead (7:6) after 15 minutes. But it took the Germans another seven minutes to gain their first three-goal lead (11:8) – a margin they took to the dressing rooms after 30 minutes (13:10).

Right after the start of the second half Germany played very well and forged ahead to a pre-decisive 15:10 and 17:11.

Angola tried to find any means to reduce the deficit but they failed. Germany found the right answers and defended their clear advance, latest at 21:13 the deal was sealed. Germany played it cool until the end and was the well deserved winner. 

Best scorer of the victors was Laura Steinbach, who scored six times. She was also awarded as the best player of the match. For Angola, Marcelina Kiara netted eight times.

Statements after the match:

Heine Jensen, coach Germany: I am very satisfied that we managed to win this game. I think it is a well-deserved success. We kept calm when we hit the post several times in the beginning of the match. Now we are looking forward to the quarter-final.

Laura Steinbach, player Germany: We were well prepared for the match because we know that Angola has very strong players. We controlled the match in the first half then Angola seemed to be a little bit tired.

Vivaldo Francisco Eduardo, coach Angola: Germany were the better team today. We wish them all the best for the next round.

Natalia Bernardo, player Angola: Congratulations to Germany. They won this eighth-final well deserved.