Welcome to the climax of the korfball competition at The World Games 2022. We have three matches for you today, 5th/6th playoff, Bronze medal and the Gold medal match. 

From 13 to 17 July 2022 the World Games 2022 is taking place in the city of Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Eight teams are competing for medals at the 11th edition of The World Games.

Below you will find videos, photos and updates – updated throughout the day. The Referee and Match Official appointments for Day 5 have been confirmed.

China v Suriname

The first match on the final day of competition is for 5th place at The World Games. After an intense 4 days of competition both teams struggled to convert their chances resulting is a relatively low scoring first half. China went into the halftime break leading [8-5].

Suriname improved in the third period scoring four consecutive goals to level the scores at [9-9 before Xin ZHANG scored twice in quick succession to restore Team China’s two goal advantage [11-9].

Today was the last game for several players and a referee. Three players from Suriname stop playing for the national team Gerald VAN DIJK, Ivan KARSTERS and Vikash MISSIER.

International Korfball Referee, Tina van de Grimbeerge (BEL) also refereed her last match after a 8 year international referee career.

Gerald VAN DIJK scored a running-in goal in the final minute to set-up a thrilling last few attacks from both teams. To take the game into extra-time Suriname had to score. China won possession and played the ball into their offensive zone. Full Time.

End of the match. Team China finish in 5th place. Final score [13-12]

Germany v Chinese Taipei

Our second match on the final day competing for the Bronze medal is Germany and Chinese Taipei. In the last edition of The World Games Chinese Taipei won Silver with Germany finishing in 4th.

Germany started the match looking the stronger team, possibly as a result after resting several of their players in yesterday’s semi-final match against the Netherlands. Whereas Chinese Taipei played an intense match against Belgium where they narrowly lost [19-18].

What an intense opening first period. The teams traded goals throughout the first 5 minutes. Until Germany’s Steffen HEPPEKAUSEN scored two to open up the first two goal advantage. Germany’s lead was quickly cancelled out thanks to two long range goals from Kai-Yeh LO and Chun-Hsien WU [8-8].

Germany have found their groove after 15 minutes and are starting to score from ‘downtown’ opening up a five goal lead [17-12]. Half time [17-15]

Chinese Taipei made the perfect start by scoring in the first attack of the second half [17-16]. This is a very tense game of korfball. At the end of the third period it was [19-17].

After 33 minutes of play, Chinese Taipei equalised once again [20-20] only for Timon ORTH to immediately score his 5th goal of the game to restore Team Germany’s lead.

For the first time since the 1st minute, Chinese Taipei went into the lead with under 3 minutes left to play, with Ya-Wen LIN scoring her eight goal of the game. [22-23]

When Germany built a lead of 4 in the second period many people thought that they had done enough to secure the victory and win the Bronze. However, Chinese Taipei and in particular player of the match Ya-Wen LIN had other plans.

The Chinese Taipei girls were on top form in this match, scoring an impressive 20 of their 23 goals. This was the difference between the teams.

Final score [23-23]. Chinese Taipei win the Bronze medal!

Netherlands v Belgium

It was October 2021 during the final of the IKF European Korfball Championship in Antwerp, Belgium when Netherlands and Belgium last met. The European championship final was spectacular, ending with a narrow victory for Netherlands by four goals [17-21].

Eight months later and the teams meet again in the final of The World Games 2022 in Birmingham, USA. The korfball arena was SOLD OUT for the korfball final at the BJCC East Exhibition Hall – the korfball arena for The World Games creating an electric atmosphere. There wasn’t a spare seat in the house!

Brett ZUIJDWEGT opened the scoring for Team Netherlands in the first minute [1-0] before Netherlands added two more goals before Belgium’s Kian AMORGASTE opened their account [3-1]. The first period ended [7-1]. The professional athletes from the Netherlands were dominating in both zones.

At halftime the difference had increased to 7 goals [11-4] in favour of Netherlands.

Leading from the front Belgium captain Jari HARDIES tried to keep his team motivated. The workrate from both teams was impressive with Belgium constantly seeking ways to find a way through the Netherlands defence.

After 30 minutes, and at the end of the third period there was a difference of 10 goals. [18-8].

In the fourth and final quarter Netherlands added six additional goals to Belgium’s four.

Saying goodbye to the world stage and playing in their last international korfball match is Barbara BROUWER (NED), Julie CALUWE (BEL), Brent STRUYF (BEL) and Jari HARDIES (BEL).

Final score [23-12]. Belgium’s Kian AMORGASTE top scored in the game with 5 goals.

In the end it was a comfortable win for Netherlands. The result means that the Netherlands have now won ten consecutive World Games korfball gold medals.

Image Gallery

Photos: Marco Spelten / Actiefotografie

All the korfball matches at The World Games will be available to watch for free on the IKF live streaming service available on www.worldkorfball.sport and the IKF YouTube channel, matches on the final day are also available on The World Games website or on the Olympic Channel.

For the latest information from The World Games search online using the hashtags #WeAreTheWorldGames, #TWG2022 and #Korfball.

Match Schedule

You can follow the scores and match information Live through IKF World Korfball data website. The full fixture list is also available here.

The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association and organised with the support of the International Olympic Committee.

Follow us on social media

We invite you to follow this korfball event 24/7 on IKF social media channels with the best moments, images, videos, highlights and latest information. Feel free to share your moments with us tagging the IKF on your posts and stories!

► facebook.com/korfball.org
► twitter.com/korfball
► instagram.com/korfball_org
► tiktok.com/@korfball.sport

Semi-Finals day! Welcome to Day 4 of the korfball competition at The World Games 2022.

From 13 to 17 July 2022 The World Games 2022 is taking place in the city of Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Eight teams are competing for medals at the 11th edition of The World Games.

Below you will find videos, photos and updates – updated throughout the day. The Referee and Match Official appointments for Day 4 have been confirmed.

Group stage results and ranking

Netherlands v Germany

The first semi-final game at The World Games matched Team Netherlands and Team Germany.

The starting team for Germany suggested that they were already looking forward to tomorrow’s Bronze medal match.

Germany’s Steffen HEPPEKAUSEN opened the scoring with a nicely worked goal, which was quickly cancelled out courtesy of a goal from Netherlands’ Harjan VISSCHER. The sides scored one more each [2-2] before Netherlands started to pull away. Half-time [11-6]

Both coaches made several substitutions in the third period with their focus now clearly on the medal matches tomorrow.

In the fourth period the spectators in the BJCC arena, many of whom were watching korfball for the first time were entertained with some beautiful goals.

Final score [26-12]. Jelmer JONKER top scored for Netherlands with 5 goals. Congratulations to Team Netherlands who progress to tomorrow’s final which starts at 2pm local time (GMT -5). Team Germany will play for the Bronze medal.

Belgium v Chinese Taipei

Our second match today was the second semi-final between Belgium and Chinese Taipei. In their last encounter at The World Games in 2017, it was the team from Taiwan who were victorious, making the final of The World Games for the first time in history.

In 2022, the spectators in the packed stands at the BJCC arena in Birmingham were treated to a fantastic game of top-level korfball. Both teams gave it everything they had.

There was very little to separate the teams in the first half. At the halftime break it was advantage Chinese Taipei who went into the break ahead [12-14] after some incredible shot percentages.

The match was far from over, but it was clear that Belgium had to make some changes and stop Chinese Taipei from scoring if they wanted a place in the Final.

The defensive pressure from Belgium moved up a gear in the second half, slowing the rate that Taipei scored. It was still extremely close with no one team able to assert their dominance on the game. With 4 minutes left in the third period the scores were level at [14-14]. At the end of the third period the scores were tied [15-15].

It was now down to the final 10 minutes of the match… for a place in the final.

With 32 minutes played Belgium’s Shiara DRIESEN won and scored a penalty [17-16] to put Belgium into the lead only for the second time in the whole match. This was quickly followed by Kian AMORGASTE who scored his 5th goal of the game [18-16].

Belgium were ahead by two goals. Was this enough for victory? The atmosphere in the area was electric, with chants from the packed stands of ‘defense, defense, defense’. It was an amazing spectacle.

Chinese Taipei’s Ya-Wen LIN then scored her 6th goal of the game to reduce the deficit back to two [19-17].

With just 90 seconds left to play, Cin CHEN scored her third goal of the game [19-18] to set-up a potential explosive ending to the match.

Taipei won the ball and quickly moved it into their attack zone… they had one last chance to send the game into extra-time.. Much to the delight of the Belgium bench and spectators in the area the Chinese Taipei attack failed to score.

Final score [19-18] to Belgium.

Congratulations to Team Belgium on their victory. Belgium proceed to the Final and will play Netherlands at 2pm (GMT-5) tomorrow (Sunday, Jul 17, 2022). Chinese Taipei will play Germany for the Bronze medal.

Portugal v China

The third match on Day 4 was between Portugal and China, the victor would return to play again tomorrow in the 5th/6th play-off match.

China had won the last two meetings between the teams [25-21] in 2019 and [17-22] in 2015.

It was another good game for the spectators in the arena, a very entertaining match. In the first half China had managed to build a lead of 5 goals [6-11].

Early in the third period Portugal’s Catarina CORREIA entered the game from the substitutes bench, giving Portugal more options in offence and was able to rebound the ball. Portugal gained confidence and the goals started to go in. The game was on.

The final moments of the game were very exciting, would China remain in the lead? Would Portugal be able to equalise, or even snatch victory? In the third period China were ahead by 6 goals.

Unfortunately for Team Portugal they ran out of time. Final score [16-17] in favour of China. China will now play tomorrow in the 5th/6th playoff match on the final day of the competition.

Portugal’s Miguel COSTA top scored in the match with seven goals.

Suriname v Czech Republic

Playing for a place in the 5th/6th playoff we have Suriname and Czech Republic. Both teams are looking for an opportunity to redeem themselves after missing out on a place in the semi-finals.

Team Czech Republic started the stronger with goals from Alexandr VYROUBAL, Petr GALICEK and Klara NOVAKOVA [0-3].

Once again Suriname proved that they are no easy push over and quickly brought the scores back to [5-5] in the first period. The remainder of the first half the teams traded goals, with Eliska ZIEGLEROVA from the Czech Republic scoring in the last second of the half to level the scores at [11-11].

It was a strong and spirited performance by Team Suriname in the third period adding another 5 goals to their tally and limiting Team Czech to a single goal [16-12]. It looks unlikely that the team from Europe will be able to recover.

Both teams remained fully committed to the game, with tensions and passions running high referee Dan-Li Huang gave a yellow card to Petr SNAJDR (Czech Republic) and Ivan KARSTERS (Suriname) in the 32nd minute.

With the scores at [17-14] and 4.03 minutes left to play Team Czech call a time-out. It’s now or never if they want to return to play in the 5th/6th playoff match..

The final score was [18-14] with Delano BRAUMULLER top scoring in the game with 4 goals. Congratulations to Team Suriname who will now play in the 5th/6th playoff match tomorrow morning against Team China at 9am (GMT-5).

Image Gallery

Photos: Marco Spelten / Actiefotografie

Full games schedule

All the korfball matches at The World Games will be available to watch for free on the IKF live streaming service available on www.worldkorfball.sport and the IKF YouTube channel, matches on the final day are also available on The World Games website or on the Olympic Channel.

For the latest information from The World Games search online using the hashtags #WeAreTheWorldGames, #TWG2022 and #Korfball.

Match Schedule

You can follow the scores and match information Live through IKF World Korfball data website. The full fixture list is also available here.

The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association and organised with the support of the International Olympic Committee.

Follow us on social media

We invite you to follow this korfball event 24/7 on IKF social media channels with the best moments, images, videos, highlights and latest information. Feel free to share your moments with us tagging the IKF on your posts and stories!

► facebook.com/korfball.org
► twitter.com/korfball
► instagram.com/korfball_org
► tiktok.com/@korfball.sport