The stage is set for the semi-finals of the Youth Olympic Games handball tournament in Nanjing, China. On Sunday 24 August first the girls’ teams fight for the spots for the final, which is carried out on Monday 25 August. First European champions Sweden face Korea, followed by the duel of the Pan-American champions Brazil against the European runners-up Russia.

Both European teams had won their preliminary round groups after two victories each. And definitely a new YOG champion will be crowned, as defending champions Denmark did not qualify for Nanjing.

Korea vs. Sweden (Sunday, 13:00 hrs. local time)

Sweden were fully dominant in group B, beating host China (39:14) and Brazil (32:24) in a clear way, while Korea (winner against Angola in their opener) gave a big fight against Russia, but finally were defeated 31:36. Both sides have their first ever participation at Youth Olympic Games, as they had not been qualified for the first edition 2010 in Singapore.

But both sides have imprinted the younger age categories of women’s handball in the previous years. Seven weeks ago the Korean junior team grabbed their first ever gold medal at U20 World Championships in Croatia - and became successor of Sweden, the gold medallist in 2012 in the Czech Republic.

Additionally the Scandinavians were Youth World Champions 2010 in Dominican Republic - and the current team beat Russia in the final of the U17 European Championship 2013 in Poland. Korea is the dominating Asian nation in all age categories since decades - but only had been present with the boys’ team at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore - and those boys finally took the silver medals. The best position of a Korean youth team at U18 World Championships was the silver medal in 2006.

By looking upon the present teams at the Youth Olympic Games both sides count on their fast break abilities -so the spectators can expect a huge number of goals in this first semi-final. In the attack statistic Korea is one goal ahead of Sweden (71:70), in terms of defence, the Scandinavians are clearly ahead by 38 conceeded goals compared to 59 of Korea.

 
Russia vs. Brazil (15.30 hrs. local time)

Eleven times U20 Word Champions, once U19 World Champions, 2014 silver medallist of the Junior World Championship - Russia and its predecessor Soviet Union have imprinted the history of younger age category women’s handball like no other nation. And in 2010 the Russian team was highly close to snatch the first ever handball gold medal at Youth Olympic Games in Singapore - but finally were shocked by a brilliant Danish catch-up chase in the dying minutes of the final. Now the Russian team is aiming for revenge in Nanjing. After a clear win over Angola they set a sign of their ambition by beating Korea in the crucial match for the top position in their group.

In the semi-final they are clear favourite against Brazil. The South Americans had left China behind, but were beaten by eight goals by Sweden. Both sides had already been semi-finallists at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. While Russia clashed Kazakhstan 41:19 to make it to the final, Brazil gave a big fight to Denmark, but finally lost by 25:30 - but then celebrated the first ever handball medal handed over at Youth Olympic Games by winning the bronze final 45:23 against the Kazakhs.

Regarding statistics, the Russian girls are ahead of the South Americans in attack by 70:52 goals, but conceded two more goals in defence (52:50).