Sunday evening in Budapest brought new Beach Handball world champions as spanish girls and Croatian boys won in the finals against two Brasilian national teams! “Old continent” is defended of Brasilian rulers and invaders.
Central court of event area in Margitsiget Danube’s island in Budapest was scene for the medal matches. In the both bronze medal matches host team of Hungary didn’t succeded to get his place on podium. Hungary won first period in botha matches, but then Norway (in female competition) and Qatar (male) showed best of their play and won matches with 2:1. For Nrowegian girls that was third WCh medal in row.
Female competition final match brought biggest surprise as Brasilans were clear favourit. Expectations were fullfilled when Panamericans won first period with 18:8, but then “Guerreras de la arena” showed their potential and in shootout they won gold with 2:1 (8:18; 16:12; 7:4). First Spanish gold put the name of their country on very short list of winners of an WCh where already were the names of Brasil, Russia, Croatia and Norway.
Spanish team in female competition was quite “underdog”, so their success for sure showed good way to Croatian male team. Team managed by national team coach Rokavec and leaded by captain Juric (MVP of BH WCH2016) showed authoriity in just 20 minutes of final match and sent Brasilian team to home with silver medal!
CRO – BRA 2:0 (19:15; 21:18)
X.Q
PHOTO CREDIT: Jozo Cabraja, Beach Handball Croatia
