Brazil beat Croatia in the first appearance of the 2021 Women’s Handball World Cup

(John Roires/COB)

The Women’s World Handball Championship couldn’t start better for Brazil! On Thursday (2) the women’s handball team made its debut in the competition held in Spain against Croatia. Playing very well in attack and defense, the Brazilian team won 25 to 20 Croatia, the bronze medalist in the last European Championship of 2020.

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The group made an attacking display in the first half. With quick passes, he broke the Croatian record and scored several goals through offsides. The defense was also very violent, which led to numerous turnovers from Croatia. Brazil won the first half, winning 18 to 12. Many athletes scored three goals, which indicates the efficiency of exchanging the ball from side to side on the field.

In the second stage, Croatia started better, but Bruna de Paula and Ana Paula Bello helped slow the reaction. However, the star of the last 30 minutes was goalkeeper Pape Arinhart, who really shone the first time. Thanks to a series of consecutive saves, he helped increase the Brazilian difference from six goals to nine.

Speed ​​and performance declined in the last ten minutes with wrong passes and Croatia reduced the difference. However, the defense kept pressing and Bruna de Paula led the attack and prevented Croatia from scoring more than four goals. With seven goals and five assists, Bruna de Paula was elected the best on the field.

Upcoming matches and standings

Brazil is in Group G along with Croatia, Japan and Paraguay. With the victory, the country takes the lead, but it can be overtaken by Japan and Paraguay, who are still playing.

The top three teams in this group stage advance to the main stage. The top three are considered the favorites for spots, while Paraguay fights over the side.

The next date for Brazil will be this Saturday to face Japan, and the match will take place at 4:30 pm (Brasilia time and you can follow it in real time here at Every Day Olympiad).

Breaking the taboo

Historically, Brazil has had a record of defeats against Croatia, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 10 years. The women’s handball team won one match and lost two more. The two teams also faced each other in a friendly match in April of this year, which was won by the Croats.

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It is worth noting that since winning the title in 2013, the team has not achieved good results in the Women’s Handball World Cup. The team finished 10th in 2015 in Denmark and fell to 18th in 2017 in Germany and 17th in Japan in 2019.

Finally, the group is selected. After starting the final phase of the Women’s Handball World Cup with 18 players, coach Cristiano Rocha made the last two pieces. Then goalkeeper Gabi Constantinou and goalkeeper Gabi Moreshi left the team.

Women’s selection table:

02/12: 2 PM – Croatia x Brazil
04/12: 4:30 pm – Japan x Brazil
06-12: 2 pm – Brazil x Paraguay