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The korfball competition at The World Games 2022 has started! From 13 to 1 7 July 2022 the World Games 2022 is taking place in the city of Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Eight team are competing for medals at the 11th edition of The World Games.

The Referee / Match Official appointments for Day 1 have been confirmed.

These are the reviews of all games being played today:

Belgium v Germany

The opening match of The World Games 2022 was between Belgium and Germany with both teams scoring goals in the first few minutes. After 6 minutes the scoreboard showed 3-3. In the second period Belgium stamped their authority on the match with nine unanswered goals meaning they went into the half-time break leading 12-3.

Belgium Head Coach Detlef Elewaut made substitutions throughout the second half to give all the squad court time.

In the stands watching the match was International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Mr Thomas Bach.  Read more about the visit of the IOC President here. 

Team Germany improved in the second half scoring 6 additional goals, however Belgium were too strong, winning with a final score of 26-9.

Belgium’s Lars COURTENS top scored in the match with 5 goals with Julie CALUWE scoring 4 of her own.  You can watch the match back here.

Netherlands v Portugal

The Netherlands started their World Games 2022 campaign with a 29-13 win over Portugal.

Both teams started slowly with the scores close for the majority of the first half, mainly as a result of Netherlands missing several penalty shots. At half-time Portugal trailed by 7.

Netherlands made a spectacular start to the second half scoring seven before Portugal’s Hugo FERNANDES scored from distance.

Netherlands No.19 Jelmer JONKER top scored in the match with 7 goals, with Esther CORDUS top scoring with 4 of her own.

Next up for Netherlands is Chinese Taipei, and for Portugal they take on Czech Republic.

Chinese Taipei v Czech Republic

Chinese Taipei exploded out of blocks racing into a [5-0] lead with goals from Ya-Wen LIN, Chun-Hsien WU, Cin CHEN and Chun-Ta CHEN. It took 9 minutes before Czech Republic scored courtesy of Petr GALICEK [5-1].

At the end of the 1st Quarter, Chinese Taipei appeared to be in full control of the match. However Team Czech were not done just yet. In the second period they improved in all areas on the court, stepping up their defence, cutting out small mistakes. With 1 minute 18 seconds remaining in the half, Chinese Taipei’s advantage had been reduced to a single goal [10-9].

Half-time. [11-10]

Both teams continued to trade goals when play resumed. It was [13-13] after just four minutes of the second half. During the third period both teams made a number of substitutions in an attempt to break the deadlock. 

The atmosphere within the arena was superb, the spectators knew that they were in for an exciting finish. What a match!

With just over 5 minutes remaining Chinese Taipei were still ahead [17-15]. Both Coaches called Time-Outs in an attempt to focus their players and provide final instructions. However, for Team Czech it was too late and time ran out. Final score [21-17]

China v Suriname

What a match! China and Suriname put on a show in the last match on Day 1 of The World Games. 

It was a high intensity match from the referee’s first whistle, with very little to separate the teams.. It was the team from South America who went into the Quarter 1 break ahead by two goals, with Suriname’s Vladimir SLOT scoring three of the team’s 6 goals.

The scoreboard was at 10-10 within just over 1 minute to go in the first half! Both teams were giving it everything. It was a real edge of your seat game, with the teams trading goals throughout the second Quarter.

Two quick goals from Xiaoxi CHEN in the last few seconds of the half meant that China went into the half-time break leading by two [12-10].

We are not exactly sure what was said by Suriname coach Riko KRUIT during half-time, but it certainly had an impact. Suriname scored 8 goals in the third quarter and their defence managed to keep China to just two goals. [14-18].

The momentum was now firmly with Team Suriname who continued to dominate in the Final quarter. China attempted to come back into the game with a few nice moves, but it was too little too late.  Suriname won the final quarter, and the match [19-25], which meant the celebrations could begin! 

All teams are back in action tomorrow with their second group match. Suriname takes on Germany, and China will line-up against Belgium.

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.

Day 1 Image Gallery:

Credits: Marco & Jenna Spelten – korfbalfoto.nl

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.

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