It wasn’t mistake! It wasn’t coincidence! The Netherlands have a great female handball generation! The flying Dutch girls wrote the new chapter of handball history by placement in Olympic semi-final! One of the best team of Preliminary Round and certainly, one of the biggest candidates for gold, Brazil, was destroyed 32:23 (12:11) in 60 minutes of the first quarter-final at Future Arena!
The Dutch girls showed something of the magic from the previous World Championship 2015 in Denmark, where they finished second. Coach Henrik Groener has found, once again, the perfect combination of speed, power and technique.
Brazil had a lead 4:3, but that was all from the World Champions 2013. „Oranje“ team made turnover until the end of the first half showing winning ambition under pressure of the stands of „Future Arena“. The Dutch girls made +5 in 43rd minute – 20:15, and expect 23:19, Brazil weren’t close to make more interesting finish.
Estavana Polman was TOP scorer in the winning squad with seven goals, same as Franca Da Silva on the other side.
The Netherlands waiting for the winner of Spain – France clash, in the semi-final on Thursday.
PHOTO: IHF, Stephane Pillaud