Eleven times Europe, twice Africa and Asia, and the Pan American host – this is the composition of the eight-finals of the XX Women’s World Championship in Brazil. And there’s another number of eleven: 11 teams of the best 16 nations of the previous Women’s World Championship 2009 in China are again qualified for the round of the last 16 teams – even if the playing system changed from main round to eight-finals after the preliminary round.

Even prior to the eight-finals it is clear that at least five European teams will qualify for the quarter-finals, as there are five all-European duels. Three European teams – Russia, Denmark and Norway – have won their groups like hosting nation Brazil, and those four are the clear favourites in their respective eight-finals.

Those eight-finals are not only highly important for the final stage of the tournament, but also for the qualification process of the 2012 London Olympic Games. Although only the World Champion of 2011 is directly qualified for the Olympics, six teams will book their tickets for the Olympic Qualification Tournaments, played from 25 to 27 May 2012.

Three of those 16 nations participating in the eight-finals are already qualified for the Olympics: Norway (European Champion), Brazil (winner of the Pan American Olympic qualification) and Korea (winner of the Asian Olympic qualification). Angola and Ivory Coast still have the chance to reach a direct ticket to London via the African Championship in January 2012. Japan (runners-up of the Asian Olympic qualification) is already qualified for those Olympic Qualification Tournaments.

 

And even the losers of the eight- finals can still hope for a ticket to the Olympic Qualification Tournaments, as maybe even the tenth or eleventh place is enough to proceed.

 

These are the official IHF Regulations for the determination of the places 9 – 16 (losers of the eight-finals):

 

The losers of the eight-finals are classified 9th-16th according to the following criteria:

 

 a) number of points gained against the teams ranked 1st-4th in the preliminary rounds in their group;

 

b) if two or more teams have gained the same number of points the goal difference in the games mentioned under a) is decisive for the classification;

 

c) if two or more teams have gained the same number of points as well as the same goal difference in the games mentioned under a) a decision on the classification is made based on the greater number of plus goals in these games;

 

d) if two or more teams have gained the same number of points, the same goal difference and the same number of plus goals in the games mentioned under a) the classification of these teams is decided on the final ranking of the best teams, i.e. a team which played in the preliminary round group of the later World Champion will be ranked ahead of a team which played in the PR group of the runner-up. If the World Champion and the runner-up were in the same PR group, the team which achieved the better result against the World Champion will be better ranked.

 

The eight-finals (all times are local Brazilian times):

 

Sunday 11 December:

in Barueri:

14:30: Russia – Iceland

Defending champion against World Championship debutant seems to be plain sailing for Russia – but they have to be aware that the Northern Europeans beat top nations like Montenegro and Germany in the preliminary round. Russia won the last direct encounter clearly 30:21 at the 2010 European Championship.

 

17:15: Spain – Montenegro

Another all-European duel – but in this case there is no clear favourite, even if Montenegro is another debutant at World Championships. But the Balkan team can count on absolutely experienced players like Bojana Popovic and Katarina Bulatovic. The Iberians showed some brilliant defence performances – so another close battle is expected. During the 2010 European Championship, Montenegro beat Spain 22:20 in the main round.

 
 

in Santos:

14:30: Angola – Korea

African Champion vs. Asian runners-up is the first match in Santos. Both teams have beaten European nations – Angola won against Iceland and Germany and Korea took the points against Netherlands. Angola can count on their strongest team, whereas Korea suffers from some injury problems.

 

17:15: Norway – Netherlands

The Dutch team does not like to be reminded of the last time both teams met, as Norway had won the duel at the European Championship terrifically clear 35:13 in Lillehammer. Even though the European Champion has to cope with some injury problems, they are the clear favourite again.

 

Monday, 12 December:

in Sao Paulo:

14:30: France – Sweden

Two Silver medallists will face already in the eight-finals: France took the second place at the 2009 World Championship in China, whilst Sweden lost the final of the 2010 European Championship to Norway. Thanks to their solid defence France is in a favoured position, but the Swedes showed their fighting spirit against Denmark and Croatia, losing each match only by a one-goal margin.

 

20:00: Brazil – Ivory Coast

Will the Brazilian samba continue? After five victories in five matches the World Championship host is absolutely confident of proceeding to the quarter-finals. Comparing both opponents Brazil has the better goalkeepers and counterattack specialists, but Ivory Coast can count on some players from the first French league.

 

in Sao Bernardo do Campo:

14:30: Croatia – Romania

From the statistical point of view the final result is clear: Never ever since their independence have Croatian women won any match against Romania – but: Romania is far beyond their usual level of performance, as they miss six injured or pregnant key players. So Croatia has the chance to write history, not only by beating the Romanians