Placement match 11 – 12

Belarus vs. Romania 22:27 (12:12)

Contrary to their previous match against Hungary, the Romanians started well and the team took early the lead. The team from Belarus needed some more time to find their strength. But more and more the match developed to a competition on eye level. The 12:12-draw on half time break was the consequence of the match history in the first 30 minutes. Romania came back from the locker room with new inspiration. The successors of Birtalan, Licu, Stinga & Co. found the way to the victory road. In the middle of the second half time, they took the lead by three goals and decided the match at this period. Finally Romania won the match for the 11^th rank in the tournament by 27:22 against Belarus.

 

 

Placement match rank 9 – 10 

Brazil vs. Hungary 35:29 (19:15) 

Hungary forgot to play handball in the first ten minutes. It was the impression after the 9:1 hurricane start of Brazil. Most of the spectators were surprised but not amused about the bad performance from the host. Brazil played their system – with a lot of speed and a defence that was taking place in front of the 9 – meter line. The Hungarians found no solutions to break this flexible wall. Only in the last minutes before the break Hungary found some gaps in the Brazilian defence. For that reason the 19:15 for Brazil after the first half time was the logical result. The second half was like the first 30 Minutes. Brazil came right out of the starting block and increased the lead. Hungary fought, but without a real possibility to turn the game. In the end the South Americans won clearly by 35:29. Brazil finalized the World Championship at a good 9^th position. With this result, the boys from sugar-loaf mountain were at the same time the best non-European participant at the tournament. Host Hungary had promised much more than only rank 10 in the overall standings.