Cuba appear on their way to the
2018 Pan American Men’s Handball Championship after dominant performances on
the opening three days of competition at the ‘North and Caribbean Zone’
qualification event in Mexico City. Cuba are the only team to have recorded
three wins in three matches, and are therefore in a strong position with the
maximum number of points in their tally at the round-robin competition.
Cuba opened their campaign with a
statement win, defeating the USA 41:30 after leading 21:13 at half-time in a
match that was expected to be much more tightly contested. Following the
victory on day one of competition in Mexico City, Cuba went on to take their
second victory, this time 36:23 versus Puerto Rico, before collecting their
third win, against Canada (27:24).
Hosts Mexico are following Cuba
closely, having won their first game 33:28 versus Dominican Republic, then
recording two draws – 26:26 against Canada, and 30:30 versus the USA.
The USA and Canada have each
taken one victory and one draw, setting them in an early battle for third
position on the final ranking – and with it the last ticket to the Pan American
Championship in Nuuk, Greenland in June. While both sides lost to Cuba,
Canada’s defeat was only by a three-goal margin, while the USA suffered a final
deficit of 11 against the same opponent.
The USA had their first taste of
victory when they beat Dominican Republic 32:26, while Canada’s win came in the
opening game against Puerto Rico (31:27). Canada and the USA are set to meet
for a classic derby match – which seems it could be a decisive game regarding
qualification – on the last day of games (April 8).
Having recorded two losses and a
draw in their mutual encounter (29:29), Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic are
currently chasing the other teams in the qualification battle. With two days of
competition remaining however, the places at the Pan American Championship are
far from decided, though it appears that it will be difficult to knock Cuba from
their leading position.