Orange PicturesBo van Wetering cheers after a good victory for the Netherlands
NOS Sport•vandaag, 21:57
The Dutch handball players have taken a big step towards the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Brazil won 35-27 in the first match of the main round in Frederikshavn, Denmark. The Netherlands therefore remains undefeated at the World Cup.
The group matches against the Czech Republic, Congo-Brazzaville and Argentina were already won convincingly last week. As a result, the Netherlands took four points to the main round. In that ‘second round’, the Dutch team will not only meet Brazil, but also Spain and their weaker brother Ukraine.
The first two countries in the new group advance to the quarter-finals.
Furious start
To immediately take a good step towards the quarter-finals, a win against Brazil was desirable. The Netherlands started very furiously. Within four minutes they already had a 5-0 lead. The Brazilians immediately requested a time-out.
The Netherlands was razor sharp offensively and goalkeeper Yara ten Holte excelled again with several saves, just like in the group phase.
Brazil came into the match a little better. The Netherlands also became sloppier, but the five-point gap that was established early remained intact for the entire first half. The teams went into halftime with a score of 18-13.
Orange PicturesEstavana Polman also scored several goals
The Netherlands continued to score in the second half. Ten Holte also went a step further. The goalkeeper was only passed three times in the first twelve minutes after the break and took one Brazilian effort after another.
Her competitor Tess Lieder has always been praised for her good goalkeeping skills in the past, but she saw from the side how Ten Holte now receives all the praise. The Netherlands can rely on two very good goalkeepers.
Orange PicturesYara ten Holte once again excels at the Dutch team
Because the Netherlands had that defensive security, every goal meant a bigger score. The Netherlands achieved a 35-27 victory.
Ukraine and Spain
Next Friday, the Dutch team will play the next match in the main round, when they will face Ukraine. That country is considered weaker than the Netherlands and if they win, national coach Per Johansson’s team will advance to the quarter-finals.
A meeting with Spain awaits in the main round on December 10. A repeat of the World Cup final in 2019, when the Dutch handball players became world champions.
2023-12-06 20:57:59
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