Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-08-12 01:44:52

(BEIJING, August 11) — The Republic of Korea surprised Germany, Hungary tied Brazil, Norway outclassed Angola and Sweden tested Russia in the preliminaries on day three of the Women’s Handball tournament on Monday, August 11.

France vs. Kazakhstan: 21-18

Both teams lacked energy, missed shots and fumbled their passes today. Sophie Herbrecht (FRA) scored only one goal, and Isabelle Wendling (FRA) failed to test the goalkeeper. Kazakhstan was poor in attack and defense, with the exception of the team’s top scorer in the competition, Olga Ajiderskaya, who scored seven goals.

Romania vs. China: 34-20

After rattling powerhouse Norway, China was weakened by a knee injury to center-back Li Weiwei and only five minute of play by tall right-back Yan Meizhu. They still showed plenty of spring in their attacks, though, especially from right-wing Wei Qiuxiang, who scored six goals, but struggled in defense. Romania was never headed for victory.

The Republic of Korea vs. Germany: 30-20

The speedy ROK girls have completely outrun Germany with a big gap in the 30-20 score in the afternoon group B match.

The whole game was dominated by fast breaks and a tempo that allowed both teams to easily organize defense. The ROK adopted the same tactics as they did in facing Russia, jump shooting from the free throw line and getting the ball past the tall German defense.

Germany’s defenders struggled to cope with these fast plays as the Republic of Korea lifted the tempo after the break, though Grit Jurack and Anna Loerper finished with four goals apiece for the losing side. The top scorer for the Republic of Korea was Hong Jeong-ho who scored six goals out of eight attempts.

Norway vs. Angola: 31-17

The gold medal favorite comfortably outclassed Angola in the group A match and secured their second win in the Olympic prelims. They kick-started their demonstration of power by scoring eight goals in the first 10 minutes, though under Angola’s aggressive defense.

While physical play resulted in goalie Katrine Lunde Haraldsen (NOR) getting hit in the head and four yellow cards awarded in the first five minutes, two for each team, and Angola’s top scorer, Nair Filipe Pires De Almeida, encountered a leg injury which forced her off the court for 24 minutes, Norway had a comfortable lead throughout the game and 12 players scored.

Hungary vs. Brazil: 28-28

Challenged by a tough Brazilian team, Hungary grasped a last-second 28-28 draw in the morning group B match.

Favorite Hungary held a good grip from the start, leading 17-12 in the first half. But the second half saw Brazil make a fierce comeback with Eduarda Amorim leading other teammates to narrow the score gap. When the two teams leveled 27-27 and Amorim scored in the last minute, Zsuzsanna Tomori from the Hungarian team succeeded in a free throw and made one goal back in the last second.

Amorim was also the top scorer for the Brazilian team, contributing ten goals out of only 11 shots.

Anita Gorbicz scored eight goals, but out of 17 attempts, and she missed three of six penalty shots.

Sweden vs. Russia: 24-28

Sweden was on the verge of creating an upset, but Russia’s experience shined through to allow them to scrape home 28-24 in their group B match.

Aware they were up against the world champion, Sweden displayed surprising strength in defense and attack. Right-wing Annika Wiel Freden scored six goals and left-back Johanna Ahlm (SWE), five. Russia was strong in attack but was frequently thwarted by Sweden’s in-form defense and goalkeeper Madeleine Grundstrom.

Russia finally broke the brave Swedish resistance in the last four minutes, clinching a victory with a double from Emiliya Turey and more goals from Elena Polenova and Natalia Shipilova.