The fifth matchday of the 2018 IHF Men's and Women’s Beach Handball World Championship in Kazan, Russia saw Brazil win the first semi-final, against Sweden 2:0 with title holders Croatia defeating Hungary to set up a repeat of the 2016 final which Croatia won 2:0.

Earlier in the day, Russia and Spain won their 5-8 Placement Matches to set up a fifth-place play-off with the winner booking a ticket to the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games in San Diego, USA next year.

The 9-16 placement round saw wins for Vietnam, Qatar, Oman and Australia.

2018 IHF Men's Beach Handball World Championship
Matchday 5: Semi-Finals, 9-16 Placement Round, 5-8 Placement Round

Saturday 28 July

Semi-Final: Sweden vs Brazil 0:2 (14:17) (12:20)
Brazil took their spot in the final tomorrow thanks to a 2:0 win over Sweden, who could never quite match the industrious play of specialist playmaker Bruno Oliveira despite the best efforts of Jesper Knutsson Olofsson.

Four minutes into the first period the score was tied up at 6:6, but Brazil's goalkeeper Pedro Wirtzbiki took it upon himself - and with help from a coach who was directing him from the stands - to stop the Swede attack, making a crucial save with the score 10:8 in favour of his side, but Olofsson struck back to level it again (10:10).

But the 2016 runners-up then went up by four (14:10) and Sweden were forced to take time out with just under nine minutes played. Sweden scored from the restart and then came within one score (16:14).

With just under 30 seconds left Brazil went on the attack but August Elmberg pulled out an amazing save to deny the South American attack and as Olofsson started to build again to take it to a golden goal, Martin Keack was too relaxed and Olofsson's intended pass was intercepted by Diogo Vieria who slotted home the single point to take the set for Brazil.

After winning the start of the second period, Brazil missed their first shot and then fell behind as Sweden looked to get back in the game, but Wirtzbiki was in inspired form, as he made a pair of saves (five in total) to put his side in control - in fact the turning point of the set, and the game, was when Olofsson took it upon himself to shoot straight at goal, but his shot was easily saved.

Gil Pires then promptly went up the other end to make it 10:6 and Wirtzbiki again made a wonder save, tipping Henrik Dahlberg's shot onto the crossbar and with another Pires strike, the score was 12:6 and Sweden's heads dropped, despite a time out with just under three minutes remaining.

Washington Esteves scored three late two-pointers to ensure the victory and while his Brazilian side were in possession in the closing moments, Oliveira wagged his finger to indicate no more attacking was needed as Brazil killed the ball and saved themselves for a final tomorrow.

Semi-Final: Croatia vs Hungary 2:0 (26:18) (28:22)
Croatia racked up 54 points in their two-set win over Hungary to book their place in the final tomorrow against Brazil and a repeat of the 2016 final which the Croatians won 2:0.

For Hungary, they will look to overcome their affliction to a medal after finishing in fourth place in their past three major championships but for Croatia, they continue to impress in their title defence.

Matej Semren scored 16 points, and along with Lucijan Bura and Josip Matezovic, who scored 14 points apiece, they completely dominated the Hungarians, who had given them a harder challenge earlier on at Kazan in the main round.

Bura had put daylight between the two sides already by the fourth minute and then two strikes from Semren extended that lead to eight in the seventh minute and the set was effectively over.

After the break two quick Croatian strikes saw a lead that was never caught and when Matezovic's spin shot made it 28:22 within the final minute, the deal was sealed.

Results

Semi-Finals
Sweden vs Brazil 0:2 (14:17) (12:20)
Croatia vs Hungary 2:0 (26:18) (28:22)

5-8 Placement Round
Iran vs Spain 0:2 (16:22) (6:15)
Denmark vs Russia 1:2 (17:12) (14:24) [6:7 SO]

9-16 Placement Round
New Zealand vs Vietnam 0:2 (14:16) (8:15)
Qatar vs USA 2:0 (26:14) (19:18)
Argentina vs Oman 0:2 (15:22) (16:22)
Uruguay vs Australia 1:2 (22:16) (12:16) [6:9 SO]