From 1 to 3 November 2019 the 1st Round of the IKF European Korfball Championship 2020 took place place in Lviv, Ukraine. This qualification tournament for the IKF European Korfball Championship 2020 was hosted by the All-Ukrainian Korfball Federation and ended with Turkey and Switzerland playing the final of this tournament and automatically qualify to play next year’s IKF EKC “B” 2020 in Poland (from 5 to 10 October 2020: more info). Greece qualified in 3rd place and will be first reserve team.
IKF EKC R1 2020 PARTICIPANTS: POOL A: Turkey (TUR), Sweden (SWE), Ukraine (UKR) and Belarus (BLR). POOL B: Greece (GRE), Switzerland (SUI) and Armenia (ARM).
IKF EKC R1 2020 FINAL RANKING:
1st: Turkey (TUR) – Qualified for the IKF EKC “B” 2020 2nd: Switzerland (SUI) – Qualified for the IKF EKC “B” 2020 3rd: Greece (GRE) – 1st reserve country for the IKF EKC “B” 2020 4th: Ukraine (UKR) 5th: Armenia (ARM) 6th: Sweden (SWE) 7th: Belarus (BLR)
All games can be watched again* with all the statistics, play-by-play, results, scorers and rankings on www.worldkorfball.sport (*) Youtube live streaming signal & production was provided by НАЖИВО Production
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/banner_webpost_ekc2020r1.png321682Dani Ezpeletahttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDani Ezpeleta2019-10-29 12:28:142023-12-07 18:37:42IKF European Korfball Championship 2020 1st Round: TUR & SUI qualified for the IKF EKC “B” 2020
The IKF U21 European Korfball Championship 2019 has its champion: The Netherlands! Belgium and the Dutch U21 squad played today’s IKF #U21EKC Final after a perfect tournament full of victories. But only one team can raise the champions trophy and the Dutch were the ones to achieve it after winning the final 12-21.
Germany and England played earlier for Bronze medal and after an exciting and tight game decided by a Golden Goal, the Germans won 15-16. In the fight for 5th place Hungary was able to beat Portugal in an intense and close match. Finally, today’s first game between Catalonia and Czech Republic was decided very early in favour of the local team (4-15).
Congratulations to all participant teams, officials, organisers and volunteers for this successful tournament hosted in the beautiful Czech city of Prostějov, and specially to the Czech Korfball Association celebrating its 30 anniversary.
After this finals results, the 6 first teams of the ranking below are qualified for the next IKF U21 World Korfball Championship that will be played from 11 to 18 July 2020 in Chinese Taipei (more info).
IKF U21 EKC 2029 – Final Ranking
1st (Champion): The Netherlands 2nd (Silver medal): Belgium 3rd (Bronze medal): Germany 4th place: England 5th place: Hungary 6th place: Portugal 7th place: Czech Republic 8th place: Catalonia
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SPEL0126.jpg29534430Dani Ezpeletahttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDani Ezpeleta2019-10-19 15:37:202023-12-07 18:37:43The Netherlands wins the final of the IKF U21 European Korfball Championship 2019
The finalists of the IKF U21 European Korfball Championship 2019 are known! The Netherlands and Belgium will play this Saturday the #U21EKC Final at 15:30. Germany vs England for Bronze medal at 13:45. Catalonia vs Czech Republic will face at 10:15 for 7th place and Portugal and Hungary at 12:00 will for 5th place.
1st (Champion): The Netherlands 2nd (Silver medal): Belgium 3rd (Bronze medal): Germany 4th place: England 5th place: Hungary 6th place: Portugal 7th place: Czech Republic 8th place: Catalonia
Good luck to all teams in these final matches that are taking place in Prostějov, Czech Republic. These eight top U21 national squads are competing to be the new u21 European champion and for a place in the next IKF U21 World Korfball Championship that will be played from 11 to 18 July 2020 in Chinese Taipei (more info).
All games can be watched live through IKF Youtube live streaming channel with all the statistics, results, scorers and rankings on www.worldkorfball.sport
You can also find more info on the official website of the tournament: u21ekc.korfbal.cz(in Czech and English)
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SPLT8481.jpg8531280Dani Ezpeletahttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDani Ezpeleta2019-10-18 17:10:012023-12-07 18:37:43IKF U21 EKC 2019: NED & BEL will play the final and GER-ENG for Bronze
The cross finals and semifinalists of the IKF U21 European Korfball Championship 2019 are known at the end of the group phase. Belgium and England will play on Friday, October 18th, the 1st semifinal at 15:00 and The Netherlands and Germany the other semifinal at 16:45. Portugal vs Catalonia at 11:30 and Czech Republic vs Hungary at 13:45 will fight for places between 5th and 8th.
Good luck to all teams in these decisive matches that are taking place in Prostějov, Czech Republic. These eight top U21 national squads are competing to be the new u21 European champion and for a place in the next IKF U21 World Korfball Championship that will be played from 11 to 18 July 2020 in Chinese Taipei (more info).
All games can be watched live through IKF Youtube live streaming channel with all the statistics, results, scorers and rankings on www.worldkorfball.sport
You can also find more info on the official website of the tournament: u21ekc.korfbal.cz(in Czech and English)
From 15 to 19 October the IKF U21 European Korfball Championship 2019 is taking place in Prostějov, Czech Republic. Eight top U21 national squads are competing to be the new u21 European champion and for a place in the next IKF U21 World Korfball Championship that will be played from 11 to 18 July 2020 in Chinese Taipei (more info).
After day 3, the cross finals and semifinalists are known. Good luck to all teams and don’t miss the next games.
Participants:
POOL A: The Netherlands, England, Czech Republic and Catalonia.
POOL B: Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Hungary.
All games can be watched live through IKF Youtube live streaming channel with all the statistics, results, scorers and rankings on www.worldkorfball.sport
You can also find more info on the official website of the tournament: u21ekc.korfbal.cz(in Czech and English)
On this post you will find an updated review with results, links and images of the first 3 days of competition (group phase).
From 15 to 19 October the IKF U21 European Korfball Championship 2019 will take place in Prostějov, Czech Republic. Eight top U21 national squads will compete to be the new U21 European champion and for a place in the next IKF U21 World Korfball Championship that will be played from 11 to 18 July 2020 in Chinese Taipei.
PARTICIPANTS: POOL A: The Netherlands, England, Czech Republic and Catalonia. POOL B: Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Hungary.
All games can be watched live through IKF Youtube live streaming channel with all the statistics, results, scorers and rankings on www.worldkorfball.sport
You can also find more info on the official website of the tournament: u21ekc.korfbal.cz(in Czech and English)
Here you can find the Youtube live streaming playlist, the full match schedule and links to follow this tournament. On Days 1, 2 & 3 the group phase will be played; on Day 4 the cross finals and semifinals and on Day 5 the final games.
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web_ready_ikfu21ekc2019.png321682Dani Ezpeletahttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDani Ezpeleta2019-10-13 07:38:232023-12-07 18:37:45Everything’s ready for the IKF U21 European Korfball Championship 2019
The IKF World Korfball Championship 2019 has its champion: The Netherlands! After ten days of action and 69 games, the final brought the latest episode of international korfball’s longest running rivalry. As usual The Netherlands started as favourites in front of a large and boisterous crowd, supplemented by the players in the other 18 teams, who wanted to witness the sport’s pinnacle international spectacle, many of whom had already started their post tournament celebrations. For TeamNL, Celeste Split and Marolijn Kroon were full of attacking purpose, while goals from Belgium’s Saar Seys kept her team in touch. However, the most spectacular moment was the final play of the quarter, when Jari Hardies made and Lars Courtens ‘scored,’ which unfortunately for Belgium, failed to beat the buzzer. At quarter time the score was 4-9. In the second quarter The Netherlands continued to go about their work, their female players continuing to lead the scoring, though Jessica Lokhurst entered the game to slow down Seys, who was the Diamonds’ most potent attacking force. At half time the score was 10-20. Belgium kept pace in the third quarter, matching the energy and speed of their rivals, and after 26 minutes Wim Scholtmeyer introduced three players off the bench, one of whom, Harjan Visscher, scored an excellent long shot with almost his first touch of the ball. At three quarter time the score was 14-25. As the game proceeded to its conclusion, TeamNL started to increase the style, with some champagne korfball, including a great goal made for Visscher by Olaf Van Wijngaarden. Split left the game to great appreciation from her team mates and the rest of the fans after scoring seven, probably this final’s dominant player. The Netherlands take gold, yet again. Final score: 18-31.
This is the first time two Asian teams have a met in a medal game at an IKF WKC. Both teams started with sharp intent and productive attacks, sharing goals evenly for the first few minutes before Chinese Taipei eased to a lead, 8-4 at the end of the first period. Chinese Taipei making the most of the experience, speed and accuracy that their female players bring to the game. Plenty of supporters, for each team, made for a lively atmosphere in the hall. China made up ground at the start of the second quarter, then Chinese Taipei stepped up the intensity another notch to re-gain and then extend their advantage, 13–7 at half time. Shuby Chu and Ya-wen Lin were doing most of the damage for their team, while captain Ricky Wu was also chipping in with some important goals. For China, Xi Wang was impressive. In the third period, despite good goals by Dongjie Zhang and Jammy Zhao, Chinese Taipei managed to keep their distance over their opponent and the lead after 30 minutes was 19-12. In the final quarter, perceiving they had won, Chinese Taipei started to loosen up. Despite leaving the game after 29 minutes, Wu was top scorer in this game, with seven, in what may be his final IKF WKC. Opposing captain Zhao scored four to take her tournament total to 39, which is likely to make her the top individual scorer for the tournament, unless something outrageous happens in the final. Chinese Taipei take bronze. Final score: 25-16.
IKF WKC 2019 Final ranking
Position
Country
Qualified for TWG 2021
1
The Netherlands
Yes
2
Belgium
Yes
3
Chinese Taipei
Yes
4
China
Yes
5
Germany
Yes
6
Suriname
Yes
7
Czech Republic
Yes
8
Portugal
Yes
9
England
–
10
Catalonia
–
11
Poland
–
12
Hungary
–
13
Slovakia
–
14
Australia
–
15
Japan
–
16
Ireland
–
17
Hong Kong China
–
18
New Zealand
–
19
South Africa
–
20
Macau China
–
More information about the tournament
From 1 to 10 August 2019 the IKF World Korfball Championship 2019 took place in the city of Durban, South Africa. Twenty national squads were competing to be the new World Champion in this 11th edition of the most important international korfball tournament.
All the games were live streamed through IKF YouTube channel and on IKF data website www.worldkorfball.sporttogether with all the results, statistics, top scorers and updated ranking pools.
This tournament was also a qualifying event for The World Games 2021 that will take place in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, from 15 to 25 July 2021. More info ► www.theworldgames2021.com
Discover more from all participants reading #TheTeamFiles Interviews ► korfball.sport/wkc2019
On the final day of the IKF WKC 2019 in Durban, South Africa, the remaining ranking positions will be decided. Half the teams finished their campaign yesterday, the other half will do so today.
In the first game, Asia Oceania colleagues Hong Kong and New Zealand meet for 17th place. After that the top eight teams will sort themselves out. Longstanding European rivals Portugal and Czech Republic contest seventh place; EKC silver medallist Germany and Pan American champion Suriname meet in a battle of styles for fifth; Chinese Taipei and China clash to decide who will stand on the lowest level of the podium; and then the final, Belgium versus The Netherlands, this years instalment of the oldest rivalry in korfball, yet again, with the gold medal at stake.
We await with eager anticipation.
On Saturday, 10 August 2019 (Day 10) will be played the following final games:
Time
Teams
09:00
Ranking 17/18
HKG – NZL
10:45
Ranking 7/8
POR – CZE
12:30
Ranking 5/6
GER – SUR
14:15
Ranking 3/4
TPE – CHN
16:00
Ranking 1/2
BEL – NED
17:30
Closing Ceremony
*Venue : UKZN Westville Campus Indoor Sports Centre
From 1 to 10 August 2019 the IKF World Korfball Championship 2019 is taking place in the city of Durban, South Africa. Twenty national squads are competing to be the new World Champion in this 11th edition of the most important international korfball tournament.
All the games are live streamed through IKF YouTube channel and on IKF data website www.worldkorfball.sporttogether with all the results, statistics, top scorers and updated ranking pools.
In this post you will find a daily updated recap with all IKF press reviews, results, best images and videos from all games played during this day.
Hong Kong and New Zealand know each other well on the korfball court, due to meeting frequently at Asia Oceania events over the years. Off court they are close friends, otherwise keen rivals. These two ‘frenemies’ met today in an IKF WKC ranking game for 17th place. A close first quarter saw Hong Kong achieve the slightest of margins, 6–5, through superior shooting accuracy particularly from Kwok Kuen Ham. Hong Kong pressed that advantage home at the start of the second period to build a four goal lead, at which point New Zealand stepped up, particularly through Torsten Ball and Boris van Bruchem, to bring the score even at half time by 11–11. Three goals in the third period from the hot hands of substitute Chelsea Ruiz turned the advantage around in favour of New Zealand, though the margin was still slight at 15–16 with 10 minutes remaining. At the start of the final quarter the lead swung back to Hong Kong, Wing Yan Tsang scoring crucial goals, though New Zealand kept pegging back. With five seconds remaining Ham scored the deciding goal, his ninth of the game, and Hong Kong had secured 17th place. Final score: 21-19.
After disappointing in their previous game, against Suriname, the Czech Republic was determined to leave a more positive impression on this tournament. Renata Havlova helped drive them to the start they needed with three early goals. Portugal, also smarting after their defeat to Germany fought back as the first half proceeded, and the battle between the two big guys, Pedro Correia and Alexandr Vyroubal, both inside and out, was an intriguing feature. At half time the Czechs had the lead 7–10. Portugal closed the gap, though couldn’t take the lead, with Tiago Luz and Havlova doing the damage at each end. Injuries have been thankfully rare at this tournament, though Luise Costa suffered a suspected Achilles injury late in the third quarter and was carried off. With 10 minutes remaining the Czech Republic was ahead by 13–14. Luz squared the scores, then Havlova struck straight back to re-establish her team’s advantage. Two missed penalties in quick succession looked to have undone Portugal’s recovery, then Ana Cordeiro pulled it back. Havlova again took the lead for Czech, and time was running short. In Portugal‘s final attack, with 32 seconds to even the match and initiate a golden goal period, they managed to put the ball up four times, though each opportunity was forced, the shots did not drop, and eventually possession was retrieved by grateful Czech hands, signalling the end of the contest, and the Czech Republic gaining the tournament’s seventh place. Final score: 16-17.
A tense, low scoring first half in the game to decide the fifth and sixth rankings was edged by Germany, thanks largely to the accuracy and speed of Steffen Heppekausen, who scored four goals in two dynamic minutes, profiting from the ability of the Germans to nullify their opponents’ rebound focused game, which worked so well to strangle the Czech Republic two days ago, though not so well today. At half time the score was 8-6. Germany scored three in the third quarter, while, despite their efforts, Suriname scored none, their energy over the past 10 days spent as opportunities were rushed and shots landed nowhere. Suriname went scoreless for 14 minutes, during which time Germany scored six, and the game was effectively over, Germany claiming fifth place. Final score: 16-8.
This is the first time two Asian teams have a met in a medal game at an IKF WKC. Both teams started with sharp intent and productive attacks, sharing goals evenly for the first few minutes before Chinese Taipei eased to a lead, 8-4 at the end of the first period. Chinese Taipei making the most of the experience, speed and accuracy that their female players bring to the game. Plenty of supporters, for each team, made for a lively atmosphere in the hall. China made up ground at the start of the second quarter, then Chinese Taipei stepped up the intensity another notch to re-gain and then extend their advantage, 13–7 at half time. Shuby Chu and Ya-wen Lin were doing most of the damage for their team, while captain Ricky Wu was also chipping in with some important goals. For China, Xi Wang was impressive. In the third period, despite good goals by Dongjie Zhang and Jammy Zhao, Chinese Taipei managed to keep their distance over their opponent and the lead after 30 minutes was 19-12. In the final quarter, perceiving they had won, Chinese Taipei started to loosen up. Despite leaving the game after 29 minutes, Wu was top scorer in this game, with seven, in what may be his final IKF WKC. Opposing captain Zhao scored four to take her tournament total to 39, which is likely to make her the top individual scorer for the tournament, unless something outrageous happens in the final. Chinese Taipei take bronze. Final score: 25-16.
After ten days of action and 69 games, the final brought the latest episode of international korfball’s longest running rivalry. As usual The Netherlands started as favourites in front of a large and boisterous crowd, supplemented by the players in the other 18 teams, who wanted to witness the sport’s pinnacle international spectacle, many of whom had already started their post tournament celebrations. For TeamNL, Celeste Split and Marolijn Kroon were full of attacking purpose, while goals from Belgium’s Saar Seys kept her team in touch. However, the most spectacular moment was the final play of the quarter, when Jari Hardies made and Lars Courtens ‘scored,’ which unfortunately for Belgium, failed to beat the buzzer. At quarter time the score was 4-9. In the second quarter The Netherlands continued to go about their work, their female players continuing to lead the scoring, though Jessica Lokhurst entered the game to slow down Seys, who was the Diamonds’ most potent attacking force. At half time the score was 10-20. Belgium kept pace in the third quarter, matching the energy and speed of their rivals, and after 26 minutes Wim Scholtmeyer introduced three players off the bench, one of whom, Harjan Visscher, scored an excellent long shot with almost his first touch of the ball. At three quarter time the score was 14-25. As the game proceeded to its conclusion, TeamNL started to increase the style, with some champagne korfball, including a great goal made for Visscher by Olaf Van Wijngaarden. Split left the game to great appreciation from her team mates and the rest of the fans after scoring seven, probably this final’s dominant player. The Netherlands take gold, yet again. Final score: 18-31.
This tournament is also a qualifying event for The World Games 2021 that will take place in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, from 15 to 25 July 2021. More info ► www.theworldgames2021.com
Discover more from all participants reading #TheTeamFiles Interviews ► korfball.sport/wkc2019
Referee Steve Jones of Wales, assisted by Carlos Faria of Portugal, will officiate tomorrow’s IKF WKC final between The Netherlands and Belgium. Belgian Miguel Wensma, assisted by his compatriot Tina van Grimberge, will referee the bronze medal match between Chinese Taipei and China.
Steve Jones, WAL & Carlos Faria, POR.
On Saturday, 10 August 2019 (Day 10) will be played the following final games:
Time
Hall 1
Teams
09:00
Ranking 17/18
HKG – NZL
10:45
Ranking 7/8
POR – CZE
12:30
Ranking 5/6
GER – SUR
14:15
Ranking 3/4
TPE – CHN
16:00
Ranking 1/2
BEL – NED
17:30
Closing Ceremony
*Venue – Hall 1: UKZN Westville Campus Indoor Sports Centre
From 1 to 10 August 2019 the IKF World Korfball Championship 2019 is taking place in the city of Durban, South Africa. Twenty national squads are competing to be the new World Champion in this 11th edition of the most important international korfball tournament.
All the games are live streamed through IKF YouTube channel and on IKF data website www.worldkorfball.sporttogether with all the results, statistics, top scorers and updated ranking pools.
In this post you will find a daily updated recap with all IKF press reviews, results, best images and videos from all games played during this day.
This tournament is also a qualifying event for The World Games 2021 that will take place in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, from 15 to 25 July 2021. More info ► www.theworldgames2021.com
Discover more from all participants reading #TheTeamFiles Interviews ► korfball.sport/wkc2019
https://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/referees_wkc2019.png321682Dani Ezpeletahttps://korfball.sport/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LogoIKF.pngDani Ezpeleta2019-08-09 14:23:592023-12-07 18:37:49IKF WKC medal match referee appointments announced
The finalists of the IKF World Korfball Championship 2019 are known. Tomorrow the final podium of this #WKC2019 will be revealed. Today’s games will decide the final ranking for places 9 to 16 and RSA and MAc playing for 19-20. Don’t miss any game and follow all them through our web streaming live from Durban’s KwaZulu Natal University’s Westville Campus.
These are the games scheduled to be played today Friday, 9 August 2019 (Day 9):
Time
Hall 1
Teams
12:00
Ranking 19/20
RSA – MAC
13:45
Ranking 15/16
JPN – IRL
15:30
Ranking 13/14
AUS – SVK
17:15
Ranking 11/12
POL – HUN
19:00
Ranking 9/10
ENG – CAT
On Saturday, 10 August 2019 (Day 10) will be played the following final games:
Time
Hall 1
Teams
09:00
Ranking 17/18
HKG – NZL
10:45
Ranking 7/8
POR – CZE
12:30
Ranking 5/6
GER – SUR
14:15
Ranking 3/4
TPE – CHN
16:00
Ranking 1/2
BEL – NED
17:30
Closing Ceremony
*Venue – Hall 1: UKZN Westville Campus Indoor Sports Centre
From 1 to 10 August 2019 the IKF World Korfball Championship 2019 is taking place in the city of Durban, South Africa. Twenty national squads are competing to be the new World Champion in this 11th edition of the most important international korfball tournament.
All the games are live streamed through IKF YouTube channel and on IKF data website www.worldkorfball.sporttogether with all the results, statistics, top scorers and updated ranking pools.
In this post you will find a daily updated recap with all IKF press reviews, results, best images and videos from all games played during this day.
Today’s games will decide the final rankings for half the teams at the IKF WKC. South Africa and Macau met in the first of the day, to determine positions 19 and 20. After the same two teams could not be separated yesterday, and declined to play a golden goal period, this game was far more decisive, with South Africa comfortably dominating. Quicker in their passing, more committed in defence and clinical in their shooting, at half time the host was in the lead by 14–7, though Macau took encouragement from a spectacular long shot with half a second remaining in the period by veteran Michael Io Kei Chek. For those countries that have little high level competition between tournaments, adjusting to the pace of elite korfball is always a huge challenge. In this their final game, South Africa was finally able to lift and show what they are capable of. Liandri Theyse and RF van Niekerk led an excellent team effort and by the end South Africa had secured the 19th ranking. Final score: 23-9.
Meeting to decide the 15th ranking, Japan versus Ireland was a clash of cultures and of playing styles. Ireland started strongly, dominating the rebound in the early stages, and at half time they held the advantage by 10–11. Japan put their superior fitness to good use, raising the tempo after half time, scoring six in a row, and Ireland was not able to keep pace. Frustration at her team’s loss of momentum wore Abby Golding down, which she expressed with a choice phrase to referee Lucas Pazourek, who rewarded her with a yellow card. To the final quarter and Ireland started to rediscover their rhythm, continuing their strategy through the tournament of rotating sharp shooter Shay Conroy into attack as often as possible. With 2.26 left, Mayo Oya scored to bring the margin back to three in favour of Japan, which, even though Ireland scored another two, was able to use the clock more effectively, exploiting the same weakness that Ireland has suffered late in other games. Top scorer for Japan was Hirotaka Kimura with six, while Shay Conroy scored nine for Ireland. Japan celebrated the 15th ranking that their win earned them, while at their first IKF WKC, Ireland finished the tournament without a win. Final score: 19–18.
Australia was ranked tenth coming into this tournament, seven places above Slovakia. However, the first quarter overturned that as Slovakia’s better accuracy near the post, and some inattentive defending by their opponents, took them into a lead, which after 10 minutes was 2–5. Through the second quarter the advance of Slovakia continued, and by half time the score was 6–12. Australia kept pace during the third quarter, though the margin remained the same. In the final quarter however, with coach Tim Miller making good use of his bench, Australia managed to gain ground, bringing the difference back to a single goal a couple of times, the second with 34 seconds remaining. Slovakia worked hard to kill the game, and when Australia had their final attack, they only had ten seconds to make a shot, which was not enough, and Slovakia claimed the 13th ranking, celebrating with a vigorous folk dance. Final score: 19-20.
Two evenly matched eastern European teams went into battle for the honour of 11th place at this tournament Poland with the IKF ranking of 13 compared to Hungary’s nine. Neither has quite achieved their objectives, though both have occasionally looked good this week in Durban. Poland had slightly the better of the first period, with their totem Krzysztof Rubinkowski scoring successive goals to take his team two clear for a lead of 7–5 after 10 minutes. That pattern continued in the second quarter with Poland quicker and smarter than their foe, characterised by a clever move by Tamara Siemieniuk, darting in at a free pass to commit her defender to involuntarily infringing into the oval, turning the free pass into a penalty, a move she has made in an earlier game at this tournament and which has also been posted on social media, so should have come as no surprise. By halftime Poland’s superiority was evident, and the score was 15–8. Into the third quarter Poland pressed home their advantage and extended their lead, playing with more zest than Hungary was showing. In the third quarter Hungary’s purpose increased a little, though only managed to reduce the deficit by one. While Poland was sharing the goals across the whole team, Hungary had fewer scoring options, and as the minutes passed, the game slipped further away from Hungary, who were out of ideas, out of energy and had to be content with 12th place, while Poland claimed 11th. Final score: 21-13.
At the IKF WKC 2015 England played in the bronze medal match, while four years previously Catalonia made it to the equivalent point. For these two therefore to meet for ninth place was not in the script for either. Both put their disappointment behind them in a lively start to the game, which England had the best of. Particularly good goals by Blake Palfreyman and Neala Brennan featured in the first period and with a quarter of the game gone, England had the lead 4-7. In the second quarter Catalonia made a mini recovery, though between the 15th and the 20th minutes, defence dominated and neither team scored. Half time: 7-8. Catalonia rediscovered their scoring touch at the start of the second half and took the lead for the first time, which clicked England back into gear as well, and the lead changed hands through the third quarter. Goals for Alba Rosa and Shannon Jones caught the eye, then an excellent goal by Heather Ikwuemesi looked to have established the lead for England with just a few seconds remaining in the quarter, though an equally sharp move by Jessica Godinez drew a penalty and with 10 minutes remaining the score was 14–14. A sizzling running and shot by Jones put England in the lead by one, then Charlie Vogwill doubled the advantage with three minutes remaining. Playing in his final international Davesh Patel then scored an excellent shot from six metres, which sealed the game for England. Patel left the game shortly after to generous applause, then Olga Gandia also took the flowers to retire from international korfball herself, with similar acknowledgement. England took ninth place, which could be important if one of the World Games 2021 Birmingham, USA qualifiers withdraws. Final score: 15-19.
This tournament is also a qualifying event for The World Games 2021 that will take place in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, from 15 to 25 July 2021. More info ► www.theworldgames2021.com
Discover more from all participants reading #TheTeamFiles Interviews ► korfball.sport/wkc2019
