The placement round for the positions 5 to 8 at the Women’s Junior World Championship started with a 31:25 French victory in a highly tough and combative match against the Netherlands on Friday (11 July). So the French team, which had lost their quarter-final clearly against Denmark before, will face the winner of Romania vs. Hungary on Sunday (13 July) in the placement match 5/6, while the Dutch side will compete with the loser of this match for the positions 7/8.

Placement round 5-8 in Koprivnica:

France - Netherlands 31:25 (14:11)

It was a hard piece of work including a tough defence struggle, until the French team had beaten Netherlands. The first 20 minutes of the duel of two physical strong European sides were equal, with slight initial advantages of the Netherlands. But when the Dutch team was shorthanded due to a suspension, France forged ahead from 8:9 to 12:9 to be ahead by three goals for the first time.  Kalidiatou Niakate netted in six of her in total nine goals in the first 30 minutes. Additionally the French team strengthened their defence, while on the other hand Dutch goalkeeper Kristy Zimmerman stood strong. But her teammates could not profit from her saves as they were too hectic in attack.

After the break a counter attack double strike of Laura Flippes and Lilla Toth had paved the way to the French victory, leading by six goals for the first time at 20:14 in minute 39. But the Dutch did not resign and tried hard to get closer again - but either caused too many technical mistakes or failed against French goalkeeper Catherine Gabriel.

As the margin was waving between three and six goals permanently the French victory finally was not endangered, but it was anything but an easy-earned win despite the final result looks quite clear. Best Dutch scorers were Inger Smits and Angelique van Duivenbode by six goals each.