Semi-finals day for IKF U23 WKC
Today we found out which teams will participate in the lower ranking games tomorrow and the higher placings on Saturday. In the top ranking semi-finals The Netherlands eassily beat a tired looking Chinese Taipei 35 -17 and Belgium beat Germany 22 – 11. Therefore, once again, The Netherlands will play Belgium in the final. Chinese Taipei will compete for the bronze against Germany. In the middle order semis, Catalonia defeated Hong Kong China 23 -10 and will meet England for 5th place on Saturday following England’s win over Portugal by 17 goals to 14. Given the way these two teams performed the day before this result was a little unexpected but England rediscovered their strong defence (rather necessary as neither team scored for over 10 minutes in the closing stages of the game). The game for 7th place takes place tomorrow.
Following today’s early matches it was determined that South Africa will play tomorrow for 11th place against China after losing to India 13 – 19, despite leading until the 45th minute. Australia, who beat China 23 -13, will meet India tomorrow for 9th place in a repeat of yesterday’s match where India came from behind to win in the last minute.