2013 IHF World Championships runners-up Serbia started their Germany 2017 campaign flying with a commanding 20-goal win over People’s Republic of China on Saturday. Almost the entire squad contributed to the clear victory, which put them on two points on the Group D table alongside hosts Germany, who defeated Cameroon in their opening clash on Friday night in Leipzig.

 

The final Round 1 match for Group D saw Republic of Korea upset 2015 World Championship silver medallists the Netherlands, as they recorded a two-goal victory after a surprisingly low-scoring contest, despite 11 goals from player of the match Lois Abbingh.

 

GROUP D
Serbia vs People’s Republic of China 43:23 (21:11)

 

Serbia opened the match with a flurry of fast-break goals that prompted PR of China coach Jesper Holmris Hansen to call his first time-out when the score reached 5:0 after six minutes. China made the most of the short break to put their first point on the board, but as the score stood at 8:1 when the clock hit 10 minutes, it was clear the Asian team were facing a difficult task against the 2013 World Championship silver medallists.

 

Though Serbia slowed their pace somewhat and China began to find their rhythm in attack, making less technical errors and finding the goal with more frequency, the European side created a decisive 10-goal advantage by the half-time break. Serbia continued with the same dominant performance in the second period, and coach Ljubomir Obradovic rotated through his bench extensively – though 2013 World Handball Player of the Year Andrea Lekic stayed on the bench to rest.

 

“Always the first game in every championship is nervous, a little bit, but I think we really played a very good match especially in defence where we really stuck together and played aggressive,” said Lekic of her team’s performance. “I’m really happy and satisfied that we opened the championship like this, and I hope that we are going to continue in this rhythm.”

 

Player of the Match presented by adidas: Sanja DAMNJANOVIC (SRB)

 

Netherlands vs Republic of Korea 22:24 (11:14)

 

Eager to begin their campaign strong after making the semi-finals at the last three major international tournaments, yet never claiming the trophy, the Netherlands took an early lead before Republic of Korea equalised at the end of the first quarter. Both teams are known for playing with speed, but their usual counter attacks and fast breaks were stopped by the other’s consistently quick return to the six-metre line, which meant almost every goal in the match was scored on positional play.

 

After 20 minutes, as Korea took the lead for the first time thanks to a breakthrough goal from right back Eun Hee Ryu, 2015 World Championship All-star goalkeeper Tess Wester came off for Jasmina Jankovic to replace her between the posts until the end of the half. Korea controlled the last minutes before the break, and it took the Netherlands 12 minutes of play in the second period to draw level at 17:17 when Lois Abbingh – who seemed to be Korea’s only problem in defence – scored her ninth goal at 80%.

 

“It was a bad game for us. We only had Lois who could score today. Especially in the defence, we were not strong enough,” said Netherlands coach Helle Thomsen after the match. “I think the right team won this game.”

 

Korea reclaimed a two-goal lead in the last 10 minutes, and when Debbie Bont’s fast-break attempt just inside the last 60 seconds was stopped by goalkeeper Hui Ju Hui, the outcome was decided in favour of the Asian side.

 

“We have many young players in our team. I think we won because they did a good job,” said Korea coach Jae Won Kang. “One of our youngest, Hyesoo Song, she’s 18 years old. I think she did a really good job breaking their defence.”

 

Player of the Match presented by adidas: Lois ABBINGH (NED)