Uruguay – Preview

Coach: Gaston Lewi

Key Players: Francisco Ancheta (Left Back), Gabriel Chaparro (Line Player)

Road to Qualification: Fourth at Men’s Junior Pan American Championship 2015

History in Tournament: 1977-2013: DNQ

Overview:

Uruguay’s qualification for the 2015 Men’s Junior World Championship is historical for the South American side, as it will be the first time they have taken part in any Men’s Handball World Championship at any level, with Coach Gaston Lewi calling it an “unbelievable experience” and an opportunity he is keen for his players to benefit and gain experience from.

Uruguay’s senior team participated in the IHF Emerging Nations Men’s Championship in June in Kosovo with junior players Francisco Ancheta (left back) and Bruno Mendez (line player) part of the squad and coach Lewi hailing his defensive specialist Ancheta, exclaiming a “bright future” for the young prospect.

Mendez, line player at his local club Pontevedres, is another key member of the men’s junior national team.

He made his debut in the senior team last year at the Pan American Senior Championship in Canelones, Uruguay, and will again link up with the senior squad at Toronto 2015, the Pan Am Games in Canada in July.

The men’s handball competition at the Pan Am Games takes place from July 17-July 25 with Uruguay facing a tough group including Brazil, Dominican Republic and Canada. This means Mendez will miss - at least - the first two group games in Brazil and if his side progresses in Canada, he could miss five of the six group games, only returning for the final group game against Japan.

Line player Gabriel Chaparro is also significant for Uruguay. A foot injury prevented him from appearing in Kosovo but his recovery is going well and he is expected to be in good form for the first match of the Junior World Championship, against Egypt.

“Although I am aware that it is going to be very tough, I hope we can reach our highest level,” said Coach Lewi about the Men’s Junior World Championship.

“We faced Brazil in the Pan American Championship and played an acceptable first half. But winning two matches in not going to be easy for us,” he concluded.

In preparation, Uruguay now training three times per week in Montevideo and playing friendly matches against local club teams before facing the senior team upon their return from the Emerging Nations Men’s Championship.

Group at Brazil 2015:

Group D: Germany, Brazil, Egypt, Norway, Uruguay, Japan

Games at Brazil 2015:

All times local

Monday 20 July:           EGY-URU (20:45)

Tuesday 21 July:          URU-GER (16:15)

Thursday 23 July:         NOR-URU (11:45)

Friday 24 July:             BRA-URU (18:30)

Sunday 26 July:           URU-JAP (09:30)

Fixture Link here