One shot destroyed all dreams of host Oman at the V Beach Handball World Championships. In the last match against Ukraine it was the “rocket shot” of Victor Ladyko. His goal saved the 2:1-victory for the Ukraine after shoot out against Oman and the ticket into the main round. More than 2.000 spectators and the team of the brave Omanis were inconsolable.

 

The Russian team surprised defending champion Brazil with the same result. It was the first defeat for the “Samba-Ballet” from Sugarloaf. Spain marched into main round with a clear 2:0 victory against Qatar and Croatia beat the beach boys from Egypt 2:0. Finally four teams start on Wednesday 11 July with two points each – pure excitement.

 

The girls from Brazil at last played a preliminary match like a champion. They hit reigning champion Norway 2:0 with a fantastic show in a spectacular match. There was no chance for the Scandinavians to win the match on this day. The payment for the South Americans was standing ovations from the enthusiastic public. Now the girls from the Copacabana are the top favourite for the title and the only unbeaten team in the whole tournament. Hungary hit top form and won against Thailand 2:0. Uruguay provided the biggest surprise in the women's tournament. On the first match of the day the young girls from South America won against Australia 2:0. It was the third victory for Uruguay after matches and so they booked their prized ticket to main round. The team cheered as is they had won the title. “This is a miracle”, player Fernanda Marrochi said. It was an extra present for her – eight days after Marrochi´s 24^th birthday. For the first time Uruguay has made it into the main round in a Beach Handball World Championship. Their previous best place was 7^th place in 2008 in Cadiz (ESP). In 2006 the team finished 9^th. Now they will be 6^th place at minimum. But a higher placing is not impossible. Together with three other teams the “Urus” starts with two points in the new round. Brazil is alone on top of the main group with four points. Hungary start without points but not without chances.