Brazil missed to defend their 2010 bronze medal at the Youth Olympic Games clearly, while the Swedish girls celebrated on the court in Nanjing after their 23:16 win on Monday (25 August). The Scandinavians had recovered perfectly from the bitter semi-final defeat against Korea and took the first ever YOG handball medal for their federation in style.

After already winning the preliminary round encounter against the Pan-American champions (32:24), the European champions finished the tournament successfully – with their fourth win in five matches being the first handball medallists in Nanjing.

 

Girls’ bronze final:

Sweden – Brazil 23:16 (11:5)

Conceding only five goals in the first 30 minutes proves the clear strength of the Swedish team: the defence. After even being in lead by 3:2, Brazil were much too tired and lacked concentration in attack – and then were simply overran by the Swedish counter-attacks. Seven of 11 Swedish goals before the break were scored by fast breaks – and as the Pan-American champions only stroke once from minute 13 to the halftime whistle, the unequal encounter was decided already at the break.

Again Swedish goalkeeper Joumana Chaddad was the tower of power, saving eight shots in the first half and eleven in total. Having a scoring statistics of only 19 percent in the first half was much too less for Brazil to endanger the physically stronger and faster Scandinavians.

Latest a triple strike Hanna Blomstrand for the 14:8 confirmed the bronze medallists, the closest gap in the second – mostly equal – half were five goals, in the end the 23:16 win for the European champions was more than deserved.

Best scorers for the victors were Blomstrand, Olivia Mellegard and Julia Uhlhorn by four goals each, Anna Caroline Rodriguez netted in five times for Brazil.