The IHF Trophy North America and Caribbean - Zone II concluded on Sunday, with hosts Mexico and Guadeloupe the nations to celebrate the two titles available. Mexico (MEX) were dominant in the Youth age category, winning all four of their matches to finish with eight points ahead of Guadeloupe (GLP) on three and Puerto Rico (PUR) on one. In the Junior competition, it was Guadeloupe who enjoyed an unbeaten run and collected the maximum eight points, while Mexico finished with four points and Puerto Rico had zero.

 

Based on the final rankings, the teams qualified for the IHF Trophy North America and Caribbean Continental Phase are Mexico and Guadeloupe in both age categories.

 

In the Youth category, Mexico opened their campaign with a statement win over Puerto Rico, 38:11, before taking a clear victory versus Guadeloupe, 26:15. In the rematch against Puerto Rico, Mexico’s command of the game was only slightly reduced, as the hosts won 35:14. Mexico recorded another victory in their final match, versus Guadeloupe, 39:25.

 

In the other Youth matches, Guadalupe and Puerto Rico recorded the only draw of the IHF Trophy North America and Caribbean - Zone II, at 27:27. In their rematch, Guadeloupe pulled off their only win of the Youth competition, defeating Puerto Rico 26:23.

 

In the Junior competition, Mexico’s campaign started with the narrowest of losses – 25:26 to Guadeloupe. The hosts did well to fight back to such a score line however, as they trailed 10:17 at half-time. Mexico made amends for their opening defeat with a decisive victory over Puerto Rico in their second game, 36:23. Guadeloupe followed the hosts’ example with a confident win against Puerto Rico of their own, 32:18.

 

After their victory, Mexico took the court for their third game, versus Guadeloupe, with more confidence – but again suffered a close loss, 24:26. In their final match however, the hosts stormed to a clear 50:23 win versus Puerto Rico that ensured they ranked second in the competition. Guadeloupe finished their campaign with a less commanding victory, 30:26, against Puerto Rico.

 

RESULTS

 

Youth competition

 

PUR-MEX            11:38 (8:19)

MEX-GLP            26:15 (16:6)

GLP-PUR             27:27 (13:13)

MEX-PUR            35:14 (13:5)

PUR-GLP             23:26 (12:15)

GLP-MEX            25:39 (15:19)

 

Junior competition

 

MEX-GLP            25:26 (10:17)

PUR-MEX            23:36 (13:16)

GLP-PUR             32:18 (15:6)

GLP-MEX            26:24 (11:13)

MEX-PUR            50:23 (24:8)

PUR-GLP             26:30 (12:15)

 

Photos: Mexican Handball Federation