On Day 8 of the IKF U21 World Korfball Championship 2026 (15 August) in Nilai, Malaysia, the ranking matches for places 9–16 were decided.

Türkiye finished 9th after a 16–11 win over host nation Malaysia, Thailand secured 11th place with a tight 15–13 victory against Hong Kong China, China took 13th by edging Japan 14–13, and Australia claimed 15th with an 18–13 result over India.

These classification games completed the lower rankings ahead of the final day’s matches for places 1–8, including the gold-medal final between the Netherlands and Belgium.

Final Ranking & Day 9 Results

TÜRKIYE (9th)

Türkiye were one of the most impressive teams outside the medal positions, finishing 9th overall after a tournament that included several strong performances against European and international opposition. They opened with an excellent 15–13 win over Germany, showing composure to withstand a German comeback, before losing to England. They then responded emphatically by defeating Australia 30–7, underlining the attacking quality and defensive intensity of the team. Türkiye carried that momentum into the second phase, where they went unbeaten in Pool G, taking nine points from three matches and finishing ahead of Hong Kong China, Australia and India. Their final 16–11 victory over Malaysia was therefore a fitting conclusion to a campaign built on consistency, resilience and an ability to produce high-scoring performances when required. Türkiye may have finished outside the top eight, but their results showed that they were capable of competing strongly with teams from different levels and regions throughout the championship.

Photos by Marco Spelten

MALAYSIA (10th)

Malaysia produced a spirited campaign on home soil, finishing 10th overall after a tournament in which their performances improved as the competition progressed. They began in Pool C with a win over Thailand and, despite defeats against Chinese Taipei and Portugal, secured their place in the next phase. There, Malaysia became increasingly competitive, collecting seven points in Pool H and finishing top ahead of Thailand and China. Their ability to respond to setbacks was one of the defining features of their campaign, with the team showing greater confidence in attack and a willingness to compete in close matches. The final classification game against Türkiye was another example of that character: Malaysia scored 11 goals but ultimately went down 16–11. While they missed out on a higher final position, the hosts can look back on a tournament that demonstrated the progress of Malaysian youth korfball and provided valuable experience against a wide range of international opponents.

Photos by Marco Spelten

THAILAND (11th)

Thailand showed clear progress throughout the tournament and finished their campaign on a positive note with a 15–13 victory over Hong Kong China. After starting in Pool C against strong opposition, Thailand moved into the second phase and demonstrated that they could compete much more effectively as the tournament progressed. Their campaign was characterised by an energetic attacking approach, good movement around the post and the ability to produce goals through several different players. Patcharapha Somname was particularly influential, finishing among the tournament’s leading scorers with 33 goals. Although Thailand were unable to challenge for the higher positions, their improvement through the competition was evident, culminating in a composed performance in the 11th/12th-place match. The final victory provided a fitting reward for a team that continued to compete positively and gain valuable experience at U21 world level.

Photos by Eric Chan

HONG KONG CHINA (12th)

Hong Kong China produced one of the more competitive campaigns among the Asian representatives, finishing third in their opening Pool A with three points before continuing their progress into the second phase. They showed throughout the tournament that they could stay with stronger opponents and were particularly effective when able to establish their attacking rhythm. Their campaign included important moments of resilience, and their six points in the second phase reflected their ability to respond and compete across successive matches. Against Thailand in the final classification game, Hong Kong China remained within touching distance throughout, but ultimately could not find the extra goals needed to turn the contest in their favour. The 13–15 defeat left them 12th overall, but their performances in Malaysia offered valuable international experience and showed a team capable of competing strongly against opponents from across different regions.

Photos by Eric Chan

CHINA (13th)

China produced a positive and competitive campaign at the IKF U21 World Korfball Championship 2026, showing clear progress as the tournament developed. Their 13–10 victory over Japan was an important highlight, securing their first win of the championship after a difficult opening against strong opposition such as Belgium. China demonstrated good composure in close matches and an ability to maintain their attacking efficiency when under pressure, with the win over Japan reflecting their competitive strength within the group. While they were unable to consistently challenge the leading European sides, China showed a solid team structure, determination and improving confidence, finishing 13th overall in the tournament and making this a valuable experience for the development of their young squad.

Photos by Marco Spelten

JAPAN (14th)

Japan showed steady improvement and competitiveness throughout the IKF U21 World Korfball Championship 2026, despite facing some difficult results against stronger opposition. After a challenging start, including a 6–24 defeat to Catalonia, Japan responded well and demonstrated their ability to compete more closely with teams at a similar level. Their 10–13 loss to China was a particularly competitive performance, while they continued to show determination and attacking potential throughout the tournament. Japan’s campaign highlighted a developing side with good fighting spirit and moments of effective attacking play, although greater consistency in finishing and defensive organisation will be important for their continued progress at international level.

Photos by Marco Spelten

AUSTRALIA (15th)

Australia showed promising attacking quality throughout the IKF U21 World Korfball Championship 2026, with the ability to produce strong scoring performances and compete closely with teams of a similar level. They finished 15th, ending their campaign with an 18–13 victory over India, with Gerard McGinley scoring an impressive six goals. Their earlier 19–11 win over India and narrow 15–16 defeat to Japan also demonstrated their competitive potential. While inconsistency, particularly against stronger opposition, was a challenge, Australia showed a solid attacking foundation and plenty of potential for future development. Greater defensive stability and consistency will be key to taking the next step.

Photos by Eric Chan

INDIA (16th)

India finished 16th after a challenging but valuable tournament that provided important international experience for their young squad. They showed determination throughout and produced encouraging moments in attack, although they found it difficult to maintain consistency against more experienced opponents. Their two encounters with Australia were particularly encouraging: after an 11–19 defeat earlier in the tournament, India narrowed the gap to 13–18 in their final match, showing clear improvement. Individual performances, including the attacking contribution of Veer Pratap Singh, offered further positives. The experience gained in Malaysia will be valuable as India continues to develop its young team and build competitiveness on the international stage.

Photos by Eric Chan

How to Follow the Action

All matches are being streamed live on the official IKF YouTube channel (youtube.com/ikfchannel) and on worldkorfball.sport, with live results, statistics, scorers, and play-by-play updates available throughout.

Join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #U21WKC and #korfball. Follow official IKF channels on social media for galleries, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content.

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