Algeria and Paraguay will fight for the 21st place of the XXI Women’s World Championships in Serbia. Both teams won their first matches in this competition at the start of the President’s Cup in Nis. Paraguay were lucky to beat Australia after a penalty shoot-out. 


Dominican Republic vs. Algeria 24:29 (9:12)
 


Only in the first 15 minutes the Dominicans played on eye level with the Algerians. After that the team from Northern Africa dominated the match more and more. Algeria played stronger in attack and their mistake rate was clearly lower.

After Algeria had taken the lead they were superior. The Caribbean team fought brave and found a way back into the match at the end of the first half (9:12).

But in the first five minutes after the break the Algerians destroyed the last hopes of the Pan-Americans by a lot of fast breaks.

Finally it was an easy way for Algeria to win their first match in the tournament. And the victory was convincing. Irina Pop scored seven goals for Dominican Republic Rekia Ziadi was the top scorer for Algeria with seven goals.


Statements after the match:

Miroslav Vujasinovic (coach Dominican Republic):
My team was bad today. We wanted to play our style but it didn’t work. We made too many mistakes and our defence was out of work in some situations. I have the feeling that my team is really tired after six matches in this short time.
 


Mourad Aid Ouarab (coach Algeria):
We’re happy to win our first match. For my opinion it was a clear decision. Now we will look what is possible tomorrow.


Paraguay vs. Australia   after penalty shot-out 23:21(18:18/12:10)
 


According to a survey of the established Gallup institute by December 2012, the inhabitants of Paraguay describe themselves as the happiest people on Earth. And at the beginning of the game against Australia this statement was valid for the handball national team.

Paraguay took the lead by 6:2. Australia failed to score and coach Jason Hoppner had to react by an early team time out – but nothing changed until the break.

Unfortunately for the spectators, the performing level did not increase after the break, as in the first eight minutes no goal was scored. But more and more the physical strength of the Aussies dominated the match. Twelve minutes before the end Australia took the lead for the first time by 15:14 and even increased the gap to 18:15 – but gave this lead from their hands.

Paraguay took advantage of three Aussie errors to score three consecutive goals – to finish 60 minutes with a leveled 18:18.

The penalty shoot-out needed to decide. And Paraguayan goalkeeper saved the ball of Australian Vanja Smiljanic to secure the win.

It was the second victory for the Pan-Americans in the history of Women’s World Championships. For the first time they also had won against Australia 2007 my 16:14. Ana Acuna scored eight goals for Paraguay. Sally Potocki was the Australian top scorer with 7 goals.

Statements of the match:

Ruben Subeldia (coach Paraguay): I’m happy. We played better most of the time. Only in the last minutes we were tired but we fought and finally we won.


Jason Hoppner (coach Australia): This was a bad match of my team. You can’t win any match with so many mistakes. I’m not amused about our presentation. But I’ve no idea why we played so bad. Normally we had to beat Paraguay clearly. But our defeat is o.k.