IKF WKC 2019 Day 1: Official press reviews, images & videos
As the first day of August dawns over the beaches of Kwa Zulu Natal, all 20 participating teams are now itching to put months and years of training into action on Day One of IKF WKC 2019 in Durban, South Africa. All teams trained yesterday in one of the two tournament venues, along with the referees and jury members. A few even managed to arrange training games, which renewed old rivalries, established new acquaintances and gave the coaches the opportunity to make final adjustments.
Today is important for all 20 teams, of course. However, for Ireland, New Zealand, Macau-China and Suriname it is even more so as they each appear at a their first ever IKF WKC. Ireland, New Zealand and Macau-China each has an almighty mission today, taking on respectively Chinese Taipei, The Netherlands and China, ranked two, one and four. Suriname, in contrast, ranked number 20 by the IKF, take on ninth ranked Hungary. In the case of Suriname, represented by a squad drawn from the ranks of Dutch korfball, that ranking is deceptive and they are aiming for a much higher position. With Hungary also aspiring to qualify for the World Games 2021, Birmingham, USA, their meeting today, at Hall Two, on Durban’s spectacular beach, should be one of the highlights.
Also catching the eye will be the encounter between the Czech Republic, ranked number seven, and Catalonia, which sits five places lower in the rankings. These two European korfball stalwarts have both contested the medal positions within the last three IKF WKC tournaments, and will be desperate to start this event positively.
We are ready for a fascinating day and an intriguing tournament.
These are the games scheduled to be played on Thursday, 1 August 2019 (Day 1):
Time & Pool | Hall 1* | Time & Pool | Hall 2* |
11:00 – A | NED-NZL | 10:00 – B | TPE-IRL |
12:45 – A | CZE-CAT | 11:45 – B | AUS-POL |
14:30 – C | BEL-SVK | 13:30 – D | CHN-MAC |
16:00 | Opening Ceremony | ||
17:30 – E | POR-RSA | 18:15 – D | HUN-SUR |
19:15 – E | GER-JPN | 20:00 – C | ENG-HKG |
*(Venues) Hall 1: ‘University’ – Hall 2: ‘The Globe’
Hall 1: KZN Westville Campus Indoor Sports Centre – Hall 2: ‘The Globe’ at Suncoast Boulevard Marine Parade
Day 2 matches post ► https://korfball.sport/?p=21897
From 1 to 10 August 2019 the IKF World Korfball Championship 2019 is taking place in the city of Durban, South Africa. Twenty national squads are competing to be the new World Champion in this 11th edition of the most important international korfball tournament.
All the games are live streamed through IKF YouTube channel and on IKF data website www.worldkorfball.sport together with all the results, statistics, top scorers and updated ranking pools. In this post you will find a daily updated recap with all IKF press reviews, results, best images and videos from all games played during the day.
Day 1 reviews, results, rankings & videos:
Pool A
Time | Hall | Pool | Teams | Result | Video/Stats |
11:00 | 1 | A | NED-NZL | 41-5 | 📺 / 📊 |
12:45 | 1 | A | CZE-CAT | 17-14 | 📺 / 📊 |
Since the draw for this tournament was made, New Zealand’s introduction to the IKF WKC 2019 was always going to be a steep challenge, and so it proved as The Netherlands, TeamNL Korfbal, used this first game at Kwa Zulu Natal’s Westville Campus to show their prowess. Their slick passing, superior court awareness and intuitive understanding of each other, based of course on hours of training, made the game appear effortless. A 10-1 lead at the end of the first quarter had increased to 23-3 by half time. New Zealand coach Manon Wiegerink made a series of substitutions just prior to and at half time, giving most of her squad the experience, and privilege, of facing the Dutch onslaught. Wim Scholtmeijer, in contrast stuck with his starting eight right to the end. Esther Cordus and Mick Snel were particularly ruthless for the victors, while for New Zealand, youngsters Boris van Bruchem and Chelsea Ruiz showed their potential. In the end the score was 41-5.
A real scrap in the first half between the Czech Republic, ranked number seven, and Catalonia, which sits five places lower in the rankings. Early on both teams struggled to score with any fluency, though Czech edged ahead by 3-1 at the end of the first quarter. Catalonia started the second quarter in a higher gear to equalise the score in little over a minute, then both matched each other goal for goal and by half time it looked as if this game would meet expectations of turning into a classic. Using their tall boys under the post in the classic style that has brought them success in the past, however, enabled Czech to squeeze their opponent out and edge ahead, leaving Catalonia with no answers to take back the game. Lenka Faltynkova and Alexandr Vyroubal made important contributions, while Alba Rosa caught the eye for Catalonia. By the final whistle the Czech Republic was victorious by 17-14
Pool A ranking after today’s results:
1st: NED (3 pts) – 2nd: CZE (3 pts) – 3rd: CAT (0 pts) – 4th: NZL (0 pts)
Pool B
Time | Hall | Pool | Teams | Result | Video/Stats |
10:00 | 2 | B | TPE-IRL | 27-14 | 📺 / 📊 |
11:45 | 2 | B | AUS-POL | 19-21 | 📺 / 📊 |
Ireland scored the first goal of the IKF WKC 2019 with a running shot in the second minute at The Globe, Hall Two, on the Durban beach and in sight of the spectacular Moses Mabhida Stadium. Although Chinese Taipei struggled for fluency, they still eclipsed the tournament debutante during the first quarter by 5-2. In the second quarter Ireland’s two substitutions increased their stability. While Chinese Taipei put up plenty of shots and controlled the offensive rebound, their percentages were not at their usual high standard. With the score at 8-4, the Irish went through two minutes where every shot found its mark and four consecutive goals took the score to 8-8. Although Chinese Taipei stepped up, in the last second of the half Ireland scored again to make it 10-10. At the start of the second half Chinese Taipei substituted a whole section and took the match away. Ireland struggled under the increased defensive pressure and Chinese Taipei asserted their dominance, though their shooting percentages will have to improve if they want to protect their ranking at the end of this tournament. Ireland meanwhile will be delighted to have outplayed the Asian champion and world ranked number two for an entire quarter. Final score 27-14.
Poland dominated the first half, proving too strong under the post, better drilled and quicker to every ball, establishing a comfortable half time lead over Australia by 8-14, running contrary to IKF ranking expectations, where Australians sits at number 10, three places above their European opponents. At the start of the second half however, Poland fell apart as the Australians began to assert themselves, being pressured into shot clock violations on several occasions and giving the ball away too easily. Australia took over the momentum and came back from six goals down to bring the score to 18-17 with four minutes remaining. However, Poland then managed to readjust their focus on the game and take back control over the last few minutes to win by two, 19-21, likely setting themselves up for an easier run into the last 16 of the tournament, once the initial pool games are concluded on Saturday.
Pool B ranking after today’s results:
1st: TPE (3 pts) – 2nd: POL (3 pts) – 3rd: AUS (0 pts) – 4th: IRL (0 pts)
Pool C
Time | Hall | Pool | Teams | Result | Video/Stats |
14:30 | 1 | C | BEL-SVK | 34-12 | 📺 / 📊 |
20:00 | 2 | C | ENG-HKG | 30-17 | 📺 / 📊 |
Belgium started this game with the level of fierce intensity they will need if they are to reclaim what they have always considered their rightful place in world korfball’s highest echelons. However, when Slovakia found the pace of the game, they were able to rein in Belgium to finish the first quarter at 6-3. Given space, Belgium were scoring with almost every attempt, to take the game to 15-7 at half time. Prior to this tournament, after two miserable years for Belgium, where by their own high standards they have slipped, this was an impressive and efficient performance, showing precision and control. Slovakia was competitive for some periods, though as the score indicates, they were really no match for their more accomplished opponent. For Belgium all players made an approximately even contribution to the scoring, which reflected the strong team ethos they have brought to Durban. Having previously made his mark at the IKF WKC as a referee, making his playing debut at this level for Slovakia, Peter Busik top scored for his team with five goals. At the final whistle Belgium was ahead by 34 -12.
England set up their tactics absolutely right, focusing their attack at one end of the field on making chances for Neala Brennan, who duly stepped up to score six goals in the first half. At the other end Hong Kong China struggled to build any momentum as England took complete control of the rebound. At half time the score was 17-9. Sixth ranked England managed to hold the world number 11 at arm’s length in the early stages of the second half, though with both teams making substitutions! Some ode the pace and consistency ebbed away. At the end the score was 30-17, leaving both teams to look forward to their remaining pool games against Belgium and Slovakia.
Pool C ranking after today’s results:
1st: ENG (3 pts) – 2nd: BEL (3 pts) – 3rd: SVK (0 pts) – 4th: HKG (0 pts)
Pool D
Time | Hall | Pool | Teams | Result | Video/Stats |
13:30 | 2 | D | CHN-MAC | 42-8 | 📺 / 📊 |
18:15 | 2 | D | HUN-SUR | 12-24 | 📺 / 📊 |
Coming up against China in their first ever IKF WKC game was always going to be a daunting prospect for the lowest ranked team at this tournament, Macau China. China proved to be absolutely dominant, playing some attractive dynamic korfball. While the score did not necessarily reflect this, Macau did show some promise, and will cause problems for some of the other teams this week, particularly as they gain experience. Several of China’s goals were worthy of any Dutch showreel. They pass the ball so quickly and recycle efficiently, always finding a spare player for the second shot. While they may need a little more consistency in their shooting against the teams they are likely to meet towards the end of the tournament, this performance suggests they will be a threat to anyone. For the victors, Dongjie Zhang ran the show, controlling his section and scoring six, while Qing Wang and Jammy Zhao each scored eight. Macau has athletic skills and speed, though needs to be less predictable. Final score 42-8.
Featuring at the Globe, Hall Two of the IKF WKC 2019 in Durban, Suriname made their first appearance at a world championship in any sport, showing that the excitement about their arrival in international korfball is not misplaced. Playing well controlled korfball, with the experience of their players on display, they worked and waited to successfully execute the right opportunities. At the other end, it took most of the first quarter for Hungary to adapt to the smothering defensive pressure applied by Suriname. They had to work for positions around the post, and had difficulty moving the ball quickly enough, which put them under shot clock pressure. At half time the score was 4-14, with Ivan Karsters and Gerald van Dijk dominating the scoring for Suriname, the latter combining particularly well with Blauw-Wit Korfbal League club mate Randell van der Steen to make life hard for their Hungarian opponents. With the result effectively decided, the second half became scrappy. Both teams fought hard for rebound and assist positions, which resulted in multiple fouls around the post. Unlike the other three debutants today, Suriname recorded a rare feat, with a win in their first ever IKF WKC game and a final score of 12-24.
Pool D ranking after today’s results:
1st: CHN (3 pts) – 2nd: SUR (3 pts) – 3rd: HUN (0 pts) – 4th: MAC (0 pts)
Pool E
Time | Hall | Pool | Teams | Result | Video/Stats |
17:30 | 1 | E | RSA-POR | 4-36 | 📺 / 📊 |
19:15 | 1 | E | GER-JPN | 37-12 | 📺 / 📊 |
In the fourth game of the first day at KwaZulu Natal University’s Westville Campus, Portugal took on the host, showing their serious intent by starting with the same eight in the same formation that ambushed Belgium to secure that historic bronze medal at the European Korfball Championship, 2018. Portugal showed their strength in the first quarter, stifling South Africa in defence and attacking with cool precision to lead by 1-8 at the first break. By half time the theme had continued with great ball movement in attack and aggressive interceptions in defence to increase the lead to 2-14. Portugal’s Pedro Correia making his usual telling contribution, combining height and mobility, while Luise Costa’s speed caused continual problems for South Africa. Coach Isabel Texiera made several changes at half time, while Elsie Theyse-Hulsbos introduced veteran Werner Basson for the first appearance at his fifth IKF WKC. With both coaches using every member of their squad, and the result already firmly concluded, structure and fluency dropped away in the final quarter. By the time referee Dan-Lin Huang blew her final whistle, Portugal had extended their lead to 4-36.
A gallant Japan took the fight to Germany, making life more difficult than the European silver medalist might have expected. However, the score mounted steadily and Germany had secured a 15-6 lead at half time, albeit the six scored by Japan in 20 minutes matched their total number of goals in all the games they have previously played at two IKF WKC tournaments. Coach of Germany Wilco van den Bos made seven substitutions at half time, which initially disrupted the flow that his team had built, though not to a degree that would give Japan any real hope of changing the result. Keisuke Mashiba scored an excellent shot from extreme distance, then Dominic During made a sensational rejection, from behind, of a Sho Furuki shot right under the korf, to keep the game interesting in the third quarter. Although Japan was comfortably beaten by the world number five, with a final score of 37-12, they showed enough to indicate that they will very likely achieve their stated objective of a first ever IKF WKC victory some time in the next few days.
Pool E ranking after today’s results:
1st: POR (3 pts) – 2nd: GER (3 pts) – 3rd: RSA (0 pts) – 4th: JPN (0 pts)
Referees & jurys daily apointments
Click here to see the appointments.
More information about the tournament
Official websites of the tournament ► www.korfball.sport ► www.ikfwkc2019.com
Live streaming games, results and statistics on ► www.worldkorfball.sport
IKF WKC History event booklet ► Read .pdf document
This tournament is also a qualifying event for The World Games 2021 that will take place in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, from 15 to 25 July 2021. More info ► www.theworldgames2021.com
Discover more from all participants reading #TheTeamFiles Interviews ► korfball.sport/wkc2019
Follow the #WKC2019 on social media!
You can also follow all the tournament on IKF official channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:
► facebook.com/korfball.org
► twitter.com/korfball
► instagram.com/korfball_org
More info and special content can be found on LOC’s tournament profiles:
► facebook.com/ikfwkc2019
► twitter.com/ikfwkc2019
► instagram.com/ikfwkc2019
Day 1 Image gallery
By Marco Spelten: actionphotography.nl – korfbalfoto.nl