One way traffic. Almost all the game Russia was leading by 3 goals. Only at 15-16 France decreased the lead.
As many times the Final was not the best game. At end the best team won.
France could not repeat the spectacular displays of the last days.
Semi 1: The strong Spanish defence could not match France individual game in the beggining. Slowly Spain recovered. HT: 12-10
Spain started strongly the 2nd half, but France managed to score were reduced to 4 field players.
This maybe break the Spanish who made to many mistakes against strong French defence and goalkeeper.
The late Spanish challenge was only to reduce the gap.
France who was almost eliminated and was saved by Angola is in the Final.
Semi 2: Tense start. Norway opened twice a 3 goal gap. 11-8 after 20'. Russia responded with their phisical game scoring 8 consecutive goals.
HT: 17-12 to Russia. The fast break of Norway was annulled.
In the second half Norway tried to make pressure to decrease the gap. Only 16-19 after 37'.
Then Russia showed their superiority. Norway is not a super power in Women Handball anymore.
Remarkable comeback for Norway. At half time Spain was leading 14-8, but the fastbreak Norway game destroyed the Spanish defensive display.
In other big match Denmark was beaten with long distance shots by Russia.
France continued with superior their performances, this time against Austria.
Spain is the first semi-finalist after scoring a winner in the last second. Romania was leading with 2 goals 4 minutes before the end.
Angola upset Denmark. The Danes did not score in the first 14 minutes of second half.
This score put France back in contention.
France made a comeback against Russia and needs to beat Austria to qualify.
South Korea lost a vital point to Hungary and needs to make a better result against Romania,
than Norway against Spain.
Russia continued German`s misery. Romania demolished host China.
France ended Angola's hopes. South Korea upset Norway with a great comeback.
Austria had an exelent first half against Denmark.
Spain after leading almost all the game with 2 goals drew with Hungary.
The day of big decisions in the Groups. In a hard fought match Spain beat South Korea.
he host China progressed to next round with big win, but enters with 2 defeats.
The derby of the outsiders was won by Thailand.
France demolished Germany in the second half and annuled the defeat against Brazil.
In one of the pre-finals Norway prevailed against Romania.
Angola was near to upset Russia. Japan resisted for a long time to Hungary.
Sweden in meaningless match defeated Denmark.
China played like equali with Spain in the First half but colapsed in the second scoring only 3 goals.
Congo resisted against france for 25'. Brazil could not match Denmark.
Norway won the game with Hungary in the last 10 minutes.
Brazil could not repeat the First game performance and was beaten by Sweden.
Angola beat Ukraine with big margin.
The big guns had not mersy against the outsiders.
First Surprise in Group A - Brasil beat France, but the French almost leveled a game in which were loosing by 7 goals few minutes before the end.
Congo made a good first half against Sweden. In dramatic fasion Denmark defeated Germany with one goal.
After leading in great period by 4,5 goals, Denmark were 3 goals down at 54:00, after making to many turnovers.
When the victory for Germany was almost sure, Denmark resurected with 4 unanswerable goals. In the last second Germany hit the post.
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Uneven games were played inn Groups B, C and D. Only Ukraine made some resistance in the First Half against Russia
and Tunisia did not loose with to many goals against Hungary. Good start for the hosts China.