The last four games of the women's beach handball competition at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games take place today at Sarmiento Park, Buenos Aires.
The remaining four teams will have two games to grab a medal, with one going home disappointed as, first the semi-finals are played this morning, then the medal matches this afternoon
2018 Youth Olympic Games – Buenos Aires
Matchday 6: Women’s Finals Day – Saturday 13 October
- Hosts Argentina play world champions Hungary, Croatia take on Netherlands in semi-finals
- Both games are re-matches of those played in the main round two days ago in Buenos Aires
- Netherlands beat Croatia and Hungary defeated Argentina in Mauritius at 2017 world championship
- Hungary and Netherlands played the world championship final last year and EHF EURO 2018 this year and are the two strongest teams in the world
- Semi-finals played this morning, bronze and gold matches this afternoon
For the match schedules and results click HERE and HERE. How to Follow the Games HERE.
Women’s Finals Day
Two days ago, on Thursday afternoon all four teams had a dress rehearsal for today: Hungary played Argentina and Croatia took on the Netherlands.
In a dramatic finale, Argentina beat the Hungarians 2:1 after an amazing shoot-out which ended 7:6, while Netherlands beat Croatia 8:6 in their shoot-out, while there is little to separate the teams, Hungary and Netherlands had looked the stronger teams early on in Buenos Aires with a perfect preliminary round record, winning all five games - and Netherlands stretched their winning run further in the main round, before losing to Hungary.
Argentina started strongly but lost to Netherlands in their final preliminary match, before excelling in the main round and confirming their place in the last four.
Both matches are repeats of games the 2017 IHF Women's U17 Beach Handball World Championship, held in Mauritius last year. Hungary beat Argentina 2:0 in the preliminary round on their way to becoming world champions, while Netherlands dispatched Croatia 2:0 in the main round on their way to the final too - only to lose.
Whatever happens in the semi-finals, the losing teams will get another shot at a medal - bronze - later on while those who do win will be guaranteed at least silver.
Matches (all times local)
11:10 Semi-Final 1: Hungary vs Argentina
12:00 Semi-Final 2: Netherlands vs Croatia
15:00 Bronze Medal (3/4 Place): Teams to be confirmed
16:40 Gold Medal (1/2 Place): Teams to be confirmed