Germany, Kazakhstan and Argentina have won the first three placement matches of the President’s Cup. The Germans were awarded with the winner’s trophy, handed over by IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa in Sao Paulo.

 

Final: Germany – Tunisia (placement 17/18): 33:25 (16:14)

For the first time in the history of their handball federation, Germany has won the President’s Cup at a World Championship. IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa awarded the trophy to German team captain Isabel Klein after this clear victory in the final of the President’s Cup, the 17/18 placement match. Bitter for Tunisia: Like in 2009, when they were defeated by Sweden, they again rank second in the President’s Cup.

Germany had to thank their goalkeeper Clara Woltering that they were in the lead at the break. As she saved a huge number of shots, her team mates again missed too many chances or caused technical mistakes. Germany had a perfect start (6:2) but then the African runners-up reduced goal by goal and even came close to 11:12. And right after the break Tunisia was hit by a severe injury of Raja Toumi. She clashed with a German player and had to be treated intensively, gasping for air. But her team mates were not shocked, but equalized for the first time at 18:18 in minute 36 and even took the lead at 19:18. But this goal was like a wake-up call for the Germans, even if they failed often against goalkeeper Echraf Abdallah. Thanks to a 7:2 lead the Europeans took the control at the 25:21 – and did not give the lead off their hands again. Led by strong shooter Nadja Nadgornaja they paved the winner’s way early, at the latest the game was decided at the score of 29:24 in the 52nd minute. But the 17th rank is the worst ever German result at a Women’s World Championship. “Even if we won our last two matches in the President’s Cup. Now we have to analyze, what had happened,” team captain Isabel Klein said, before rushing to the airport.

 

Placement 19/20: Kazakhstan – Uruguay 31:22 (17:9)

Kazakhstan paved the way for their second victory with a brilliant starting period, as they led 12:4. And already before the break the top scorers Irina Baranovskaya and Xenija Volnukhina were the keys to the clear 17:9 lead, as they had scored eleven of 17 goals for the Kazakhs – in the end their total number was 19 of 31. Uruguay improved and reduced the gap to 14:18, before another 9:4 series to 27:18 decided the match. Jussara Castro was top scorer for Uruguay with eight goals.

 

 
Placement 21/22:  China – Cuba 30:29 (15:13)

Even ten goals of Lissandra Lusson were not enough for Cuba to go for their second victory and the 21st place. Cuba was in lead until the score of 13:10, before China scored six straight goals, four of them by Yao Li. After the break the Asians did not give this from their hands. Even though Cuba was always close, they could not turn the game. After the 20:15 for China, the Caribbeans reduced to 21:22 and then were below with one goal until the end. Best Chinese scorers were Li (eight goals) and Wei (six goals).

 

Placement 23/24: Australia – Argentina 12:30 (4:12)

After six defeats Argentina took their first victory in Brazil, whilst Australia has to return home again with no point, ranked last and 24th. Thanks to their stronger defence including goalkeepers and their bigger alternatives the “Gauchas” did not have any problems with the “Aussies”. Expectedly the game had already been decided at the break. And when Australia lost their power the Pan Americans still extended the lead to 18 goals in the end. Bibiana Ferrea was top scorer for Argentina with seven goals, Alira Hudson-Gofers scored four times for the “Aussies”.

 

Final ranking:

17. Germany

18. Tunisia

19. Kazakhstan

20. Uruguay

21. China

22. Cuba

23. Argentina

24. Australia