Germany – Suriname | Korfball at The World Games 2025

8 Aug 2025, 18:00 GMT+8 TWG 2025 · Korfball · Group B

Match report

Germany’s sharper passing game gave them a slight edge, ending the first quarter with a narrow 4–3 lead. But Suriname wasn’t going to let them pull away — they equalized quickly at the start of second quarter, and by halftime, the teams were locked at 8–8, much to the delight of the crowd.

The third quarter was a defensive grind. Germany edged ahead 9–8, but Randell Ashwin (15) came alive for Suriname, firing in a long shot, a penalty, and another from distance to give his team their first two-goal lead of the match. Germany’s Lucas Witthaus (19) answered with a well-timed shot to make it 11–12 going into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a rollercoaster. Suriname clung to a slim lead while Germany pushed hard to stay in the game. With just under a minute to go, Germany’s Lea Witthaus (1) nailed a medium-range shot to tie it 14–14 — sending the spectators to their feet.

But with just 20 seconds left on the clock, Iske VAN GINKEL scored her second goal, securing the game for Suriname, final score 15-14.

Pre-game report

After a solid run at the last edition of The World Games, Germany returns to the world stage in Chengdu with a clear goal: third place. Ambitious? Yes. But impossible? Not at all. “We know the competition is incredibly strong,” says Jan Robert Heming, Germany’s long-serving captain. “But the last World Games showed us that with the right mindset and preparation, this goal is within reach.” On the other hand, when you watch Suriname’s korfball team take the court in Chengdu, you’re not just watching a team play for victory. You’re watching a team play for something bigger—pride in their roots, belief in their mission, and the dream of growing the sport back home. “Our goal is to compete for a medal,” says head coach Ivan Karsters. “But more than that, we want to show Suriname—and the world—what’s possible when people come together with passion and purpose.”