Third day of competition at the IKF U21 World Korfball Championship 2018 in Budapest, HUNGARY. Follow and watch all games through IKF live webcasting on worldkorfball.org: Click here
Match 11: BELGIUM 40 – HONG KONG 5
The opening match of day 3 was as entertaining as the result was predictable. Belgium were always going to be clear winners against Hong Kong China. Both teams started brightly, Belgium playing with focus and Hong Kong China determined to create opportunities. Belgium scored quickly, with eight goals from six scorers in six minutes before Hong Kong China could open their account. The teams kept the play entertaining for the spectators with 24 goals in the first half, Belgium leading 21-3. Belgium appeared to relax a little, taking more half-chances. Hong Kong China rotated players during the second half as they looked for more goals. The referee continued to keep the game flowing and the goals kept coming. In the 4th quarter, Belgium made their only substitution, an injury precaution. The goals kept coming and Belgium looked to score 40. Despite a miss with three seconds to go, they scored the 40th goal in the final second. Belgium winning 40-5.
Hong Kong China play Czech Republic on day 4 with the winners expected to take 3rd place in the pool. Belgium have a rest before taking on England on day 5.
Match 12: PORTUGAL 16 – CHINESE TAIPEI 19
Portugal and Chinese Taipei faced each other in the second match of the day. Having won their first two matches, both teams are looking for semi-final places. Could Portugal upset the rankings to move to the top of Pool B? The game started at a frenetic pace with both teams converting several chances in a close first quarter. Chinese Taipei just edging it 7-9. As the half progressed, the match became more physical and the referee more involved, including a yellow card on ten minutes. The more physical play led to fewer quality scoring opportunities. Chinese Taipei maintained their lead through to half time, but Portugal sensing a chance for the upset competed well. The half time score 11-14 to Chinese Taipei.
The second half was hard fought and attritional with the defences dominating and heavy collisions causing players to hit the floor. Chinese Taipei just edged the quarter to lead by four, 14-18, with ten minutes to go. There was a lot of action in the last quarter as Portugal kept pressing. They scored two to reduce the deficit to two. Chinese Taipei hit back immediately. Despite all Portugal’s effort, Chinese Taipei managed the game well and no goals were scored in the final eight minutes as Chinese Taipei won 16-19 to remain unbeaten in Pool B.
Match 13: CHINA 24 – TURKEY 15
China and Turkey both lost their first two matches and needed a win to challenge for a top eight place. The teams are happy with a physical contest and the referee was kept involved from the start. They traded goals during the first quarter, though China crept ahead steadily. A missed Turkey penalty being a sign of things to come. A lower scoring second quarter was just won by China 4-3 to take an 11-8 half time lead. The third quarter was all about penalties as players looked to create opportunities under the post. Nine penalties awarded, four missed as the teams shared the goals. China headed into the last quarter still three ahead 15-12. Another penalty miss from Turkey and five China goals sealed the win as China went eight ahead. Both teams continued to trade goals and kept the stadium entertained, China winning 24-15.
Match 14: HUNGARY 21 – GERMANY 23
The early evening match on day 3 saw the hosts Hungary take on Germany in front of a large partisan crowd. Hungary won their opening two matches and were looking for a third to push for a semi-final place. Germany needed a win to have any chance of the top four. The opening exchanges saw Germany in control but unable to convert enough chances to dominate and Hungary were able to stay in touch. Germany pulled away to lead 6-8 at the end of first quarter. Determined play from Hungary saw them draw level 10-10 before slipping back again as Germany took the first half 12-15.
With both teams pushing for a win and a noisy crowd, the second half was a battle and the referee paid close attention to the physical post play. Hungary were getting plenty of possession but could not find the accuracy needed to score fast enough. Germany were being more clinical and were always a goal or two ahead, running out winners 21-23 to get their first points of the Championships.
Match 15: NETHERLANDS 53 – CZECH REPUBLIC 12
The final match of the day saw the Czech Republic take on The Netherlands. The result was never likely to be a surprise and the Dutch started well, scoring 5 in three minutes. An early Czech timeout did little to stem the flow and Netherlands put in a scoring display. 18 goals were scored in the first ten minutes, Netherlands leading 15-3. The Czech Republic fought hard and slowed the scoring and forced a Dutch timeout at 25 minutes with the score at 28-5. Netherlands would have had an eye on the 40 scored by Belgium earlier. The timeout changed the tempo and ten goals were scored in five minutes, Netherlands 37 Czech Republic 6. The referee and players kept the game flowing and the crowd were rewarded with a 22 goal quarter as twelve players scored 3 or more in the game. Final score 53-12
