World Handball ChampionshipOf course, the handball players of Orange still have everything in their own hands at the World Cup in Spain. After the predictable monster score against Kazakhstan (61-15), it comes to Monday’s decisive game against Norway. But Sweden’s draw against Norway (30-30) was a major setback for the Orange.
Herman Nijman
Latest update:
11-12-21, 22:02
At the World Cup of Kumamoto, two years ago, the Orange surprisingly won the top prize despite three defeats. On Spain’s east coast, a single defeat can be fatal. The expansion of the field of participants – from 24 to 32 teams – has mainly led to a large number of useless matches at this World Cup.
The Netherlands and Sweden are next to each other in the balance in the main round because the mutual group match in Torrevieja resulted in a draw (31-31). Whoever gets the best result against favorite Norway will reach the quarterfinals, against France or Russia. Sweden took a big step on Saturday by taking the win from Norway in the last ten seconds (30-30).
Big win desperately needed
Sweden had already made mincemeat of Kazakhstan (55-20) on Thursday and it was up to the team of national coach Monique Tijsterman to approach or exceed that score. A win with a goal or thirty difference was desperately needed.
Orange could easily meet that expectation. After forty seconds Angela Malestein was the first shooter, seventy seconds later Dione Housheer already scored 0-2 in the next attack. On his way to a score of more than fifty goals, which is a rarity in handball. With a cartload of hits from corner player Bo van Wetering (18) and builder Housheer (13), who was also allowed to cash in on the penalty throws.
Post-match interview with Bo van Wetering:
Record result
For the third time in this tournament, the Orange squad set a record, 46 goals difference. Moreover, the Netherlands has never scored so many times in one match. The record of Sunday, 58-17 against Uzbekistan, disappeared from the books again.
It will only become clear what the profit is worth on Monday evening around 10 p.m. Either the Orange will travel to Granollers for the quarterfinals after a result against Norway, or the team will take the kite home.
Main round standings, group 2
1. Netherlands 4-7 (+87)
2. Norway 4-7 (+75)
3. Sweden 4-6 (+73)
4. Romania 4-4
5. Kazakhstan 4-0
6. Puerto Rico 4-0
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