The ‘Copa Caribe’, or Caribbean Cup, took place in Cartagena, Colombia last week
(24-29 October) featuring six countries from the region – Cuba,
Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and hosts Colombia – as they made
some of their first steps in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games cycle of events.
All six nations were represented in both the men’s and women’s competitions
which took place in a six-team group format in each competition over a
punishing schedule of six-straight matchdays. The playing schedule changed after
the original two-group format for each competition was adapted following Trinidad
and Tobago and Haiti not able to send teams to the final tournament.
Teams were not only competing for regional bragging rights, but for
a spot at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games to be held in
Barranquilla, Colombia. The tournament also acted as preparation for some teams
who will participate in the forthcoming Bolivarian Games, which will be held in
Santa Marta – also in Colombia – later this month, from 11-25 November.
Copa Caribe – Women’s
Competition
Mexico topped the preliminary round table with nine points from
their five matches, remaining unbeaten, but were held by Venezuela in their
final match 28:28.
Puerto Rico finished in second place with six points, thanks to
three wins out of their five matches while Cuba finished in third, tied on five
points with Dominican Republic and Venezuela, but with the better goal
difference. Unfortunately, hosts Colombia lost all five of their games clearly
to finish bottom.
The results meant that
Mexico faced Puerto Rico in the final, and they led by two at the break
(12:10), before extending their lead at the final buzzer to five (25:20).
Dominican Republic managed to overturn a half-time deficit of one (16:15), to
come back strong and win a tight match 28:27 against Cuba. Venezuela beat
Colombia for the second time in the competition, to finish fifth.
Copa Caribe – Men’s
Competition
The host nation’s men’s side did slightly better than their women’s side in the
preliminary round, thanks to a draw against Dominican Republic, but they still
finished last in their group on a solitary point, nine behind group winners
Cuba, who won all five of their games. Puerto Rico finished in second place on
seven points, one ahead of third-placed Mexico.
One of the stories of the tournament – and highlighting
the tight nature of handball games – saw fourth-placed Dominican Republic end
with a near equal goal difference (136 scored, 139 conceded) after they drew
three of their five preliminary round matches, losing to Mexico by just one
goal (32:31) and Cuba by two (33:31).
After all the preliminary round results were known Puerto Rico faced
Cuba in the final and it appeared all over after the first half as the Cubans
led 15:11. But Puerto Rico stepped up their performance and took the match
32:30. The Dominican Republic men managed to copy their women’s team as
they came back, from 14:12 down at the break against Mexico, to win 28:27.
Colombia gave the home fans something to shout about as they finally won,
beating Venezuela 32:28 to take fifth.
Puerto Rico saw both of their teams qualify for Barranquilla 2018 in
addition to the Cuban men and Mexican women.
The tournament concluded with a coaches workshop attended by a
number of national and club coaches on the final weekend.
FINAL RANKINGS
MEN
1. Puerto Rico
2. Cuba
3. Dominican Republic
4. Mexico
5. Colombia
6. Venezuela
WOMEN
1. Mexico
2. Puerto Rico
3. Dominican Republic
4. Cuba
5. Venezuela
6. Colombia