The IKF U21 World Korfball Championship 2018 has its champion: The Netherlands! Belgium was once again the rival to beat in the final, and at the end of an intense and tight game, the winner was the Dutch team.
After a great tournament played from 7 to 14 July 2018 in the spectacular Tüskecsarnok Arena in Budapest (Hungary), this is the final ranking:
Gold medal: The Netherlands Silver medal: Belgium Bronze medal: Chinese Taipei 4th place: Portugal 5th place: China 6th place: Hungary 7th place: Czech Republic 8th place: Hong Kong China 9th place: England 10th place: Turkey 11th place: Germany
MATCH 35 (U21 WKC 2018 Final): BELGIUM – NETHERLANDS
The Championship final is between Belgium and The Netherlands. Favourites, Netherlands won the pool match 21-14 after a tightly contested first twenty minutes. The first couple of minutes saw nervous play from both teams as a number of chances were missed. Referee Busik (Slovakia) and assistant Marks (Australia) were kept busy with some fast, close play under both posts. The teams converting a penalty each, the first of six in the quarter, to open the scoring. Zuijdwegt (#02) was lively in open play for Netherlands as they went 3-5 ahead. Despite the close defence from both teams, the attacks were able to score regularly as Netherlands maintained a two goal into the second quarter, 5-7. Carlo De Vries (#14) scored his fourth (two penalties) Netherlands kept control 7-10 ahead. The Belgian coach took action with De Lay (#44) and Van Den Dycke (#40) switching ends. Two more goals concluded an uneventful first half with Netherlands leading 8-11.
The third quarter continued much as the first half finished, with both teams playing controlled, quality korfball. Goals from Zwolle (#14) and De Vries enabled Netherlands to extend the lead to five, 8-13. A couple more changes from Belgium and more goals saw them pull back to within two at the end of the third quarter, 14-16.
Again, the Netherlands response was calm as they extended the lead again, Zuidwegt scoring her third, and then Zwolle from distance. Belgium were not flustered and Engels (#28) scored her first before De Lay scored from distance again to bring the game back to two. After the change of ends, Belgium were just one down with a penalty. Further goals from Zwolle and De Vries, eleven between them, again stretched the Dutch lead to three. Another Belgium penalty with three minutes left endured the match would be contested to the end. There was to be one final Dutch goal as they won 18-21 to become U21 World Champions.
Players of the match, Niels Delbeke (#47) for Belgium and Leander Zwolle (#11) for Netherlands.
MATCH 34 (Bronze medal game): CHINESE TAIPEI 18 PORTUGAL 16
The bronze medal match took place between Chinese Taipei and Portugal. A large crowd stayed hoping to witness another close encounter. The pool match between these teams finished 19-16 to Chinese Taipei. Portugal started brightly with Wagenmaker (#04) scoring from their first two attacks. Taipei responded well and soon went ahead, scoring four penalties, three from Tseng (#11) while Portugal missed two. The first quarter finished 7-2 to Chinese Taipei. After going six behind, the Portuguese coach made the first change bringing Frade (#02) into the match. Portugal had their best period since the start of the match scoring three before half-time to for an 11-7 Chinese Taipei lead.
Portugal kept coming into the match, reducing the gap to two at 12-10 with two more penalties and another miss. Nunes (#03) scored her second from distance to bring the score to 13-11 to Chinese Taipei at the end of the third quarter.
Condado (#13) returned to the match after a short rest to join an attack including Wagenmaker who was causing all sorts of problems for Taipei. Wagenmaker drew the free pass and scored before being flattened. She scored the equaliser from long range. Referee Pazourek (Czech Republic) supported by Van Grimberge (Belgium) was paying close attention as the play became increasingly physical. The Chinese Taipei coach received a yellow card for his actions during yet another penalty. Tseng scored his sixth goal as Chinese Taipei pulled ahead again. As the clock ran down, Portugal could not convert any of several chances and Chinese Taipei were able to control the end of the match to win 18-16 and the bronze medal.
Players of the match, Yi Liang Tseng (#11) for Chinese Taipei and Laura Wagenmaker (#04) for Portugal.
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