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Date: 19.03.2016
 

After two wins from two in the IHF Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament in Astrakhan, Russia, Sweden and hosts Russia clash with their Rio 2016 passes already safely in their pockets and just top place in the group to play for.

Poland will want to end with points in the bank while Mexico wrap-up their first-ever European competitive experience full of confidence.

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Mexico vs Poland - Sport Arena Zvezdny, Astrakhan, Russia
Sunday 20 March, 18.00 hrs (local time)

Both teams have zero points but both teams will be on the extreme opposites of the emotional spectrum.

Mexico, playing their first-ever competitive tournament in Europe have given a good account of themselves in the opening halves of the first two games against Sweden (41:20) and Russia (37:17) while Poland crashed out of Olympic contention after losing against the same teams (30:24 vs Sweden and 27:25 against Russia), despite finishing in the top four at the recent 2015 IHF Women’s World Championship in Denmark.

Mexico will be looking to close the gap against Poland, after losing by 21 and then 20 goals, before they fly home to central America.

Their centre back Iztel Aguirre Gallegos, currently sites top of the goalscoring charts with nine goals from a sensational 21 shots in those opening two games, but was restricted by Russia in her last match to just a solitary strike, following her opening eight goals against Sweden.

Both Karolina Kudlacz-Gloc and Patrycja Kulwinska sit on seven goals apiece as Poland must refocus their efforts on the Women’s EHF EURO 2016 in Sweden in December.

Russia vs Sweden - Sport Arena Zvezdny, Astrakhan, Russia
Sunday 20 March, 20.30 hrs (local time)

Riding on a crest of happiness thanks to their ticket to the land of Samba, both Russia and Sweden will look to claim top spot in the group but are sure to rotate, rest and maybe even experiment in the closing match of the Astrakhan tournament.

Sweden – who beat Mexico 41:20 and Poland 30:24 - have Isabelle Gullden and Louise Sand sitting as joint-tournament top-scorers on nine each, with Russia – winners over Poland (27:25) and Mexico (37:17) - running them close with five scorers on seven each.

However, this could be a clash of defences as the two teams can boast goalkeepers who fill the top three spots in Astrakhan; Tatiana Erokhina (RUS – 53% save ratio), Filippa Idehn (SWE – 48%) and Johanna Bundsen (SWE – 45%).

Whatever happens in this match, all the players will be hoping they do not put a foot wrong or get injured as the opportunity to play in the Rio 2016 Olympics is just five months away.

For further information on the Rio 2016 Olympic Qualification Tournament in Astrakhan, visit the Handball Federation of Russia mini-site HERE.

You can also follow the events from Russia on Twitter (@rushandball), Facebook (rushandball.ru) and Instagram (@rushandball).

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