Brazil defended their title after an unbeaten campaign at the 2018 Women’s Pan American Junior Championship in Goiana, as they finished the event with five wins in five matches. Brazil therefore qualified for the 2018 IHF Women’s Junior (U20) World Championship alongside second-ranked Chile and third-placed Paraguay.

 

After Brazil opened their campaign with decisive wins against Paraguay and Uruguay, they continued their dominant form as they took victories over Dominican Republic (42:13) and Chile (28:14), setting up a key match versus Argentina to finish the competition. A draw versus their long-time rivals would have been enough for Brazil to take the trophy, but they managed a 28:24 win.

 

“The result was very positive. We played an unbeaten campaign in which we had control during most games,” said Brazil coach Cristiano Silva. “The group has achieved this incredible campaign, there have been five consecutive victories, this title belongs to all of us. Now, it is time to focus on the World Championship, which is a very different competition, and get a better ranking than at the last World Championship.” 

 

While Brazil were the clear winners after five straight victories, the remaining medals – and places at the 2018 Junior World Championship – came down to goal difference and goals scored. Chile, Paraguay and Argentina took turns beating each other and finished on the same number of points after three wins apiece. In the head-to-head clashes, Chile beat Argentina 31:26, Argentina defeated Paraguay 26:25, and Paraguay won 28:25 against Chile. All three also beat Uruguay (fifth place) and Dominican Republic (sixth).

 

With the goal difference and goals for, Chile came out on top to claim the silver medal, and Paraguay took bronze. The two sides therefore join Brazil at the World Championship in Hungary this July, while Argentina miss the event for the first time since 2005.

 

Photo: Brazil Handball Federation