Australia – England
In the match to determine seventh and eighth placings, Australia and England fought a near repeat of their close, low scoring duel four days earlier. Englands’s game, based around their tall rebounders, contrasted with Australia’s more mobile style for an interesting contest. As in their earlier encounter, England managed to hold on to win, turning a 6-5 half time lead into a 12-11 victory.

Chinese Taipei – Russia
A nervous, low scoring first half saw the two teams make every endeavour, but not manage to score with any fluency. Russia led at half time, but only by 3-2 and three of those were scored in the final five minutes of the half. The scoring increased in the second half with Chinese Taipei repeating their victory from the tournament’s first match, this time by 13-8, to secure fifth place.

Czech Republic – Portugal
A noisy local crowd urged on their heroes in the bronze medal match, lifting them at crucial points to enable them to defeat Portugal. At half time it was 7-5 to the Czech Republic and midway through the second half the Portuguese edged ahead, but their lead was only momentary and the hosts powered away in the final 15 minutes to win comfortably:
19-14.

Netherlands – Belgium
Predictably the Netherlands suffocated their perennial rivals, making a fast start and effectively closing out the game after 15 minutes. Superior in all facets of the game, and totally re-emphasising their dominance of world korfball, by half time it was 11-2. The second half was slightly less intense, with elements of exhibition korfball coming into the Dutch performance. The final score was 23-10.

Tournament top scorers:

Males
Michiel Gerritsen, Netherlands 35
Werner Basson, South Africa 31
Bart Cleyman, Belgium 30

Females
Ines Biocas, Portugal 17
Qian Cui, China 16
Megan O’Keefe, Australia 15

Rob Smith

China – South Africa
China started well, then South Africa rediscovered some confidence, which had been missing since they let their place in the top eight slip away in disastrous fashion. At half time they had fought back to 9-9, building further on that through the early stages of the second half to enjoy a four goal lead at one point. Then China fought back, bringing it level right at the end of the half, 15-15, to take the game into a golden goal period. China scored with their first attack, only to see South Africa level from theirs. After seven minutes of nerves, South Africa finally converted a penalty to win 17-16 and take 15th place.

Poland – USA
In their first world championship since 1991 the USA enjoyed their second win at the end of the tournament to finish in 13th place. This was a close but low scoring game throughout, 7-6 to Poland at half time and 13-12 to the USA at the end, a second golden goal of the day averted by a penalty miss in the dying seconds by Poland.

India – Germany
After a number of narrow losses against teams they will have expected to beat, Germany finished the tournament on a high. They took their frustration out on India, playing with pace and purpose to control the rebound and defuse the physicality of their opponent, for a comfortable win, turning an 11-5 half time lead into a 19-9 victory.

Catalonia – Hungary
Catalonia and Hungary played out an even, hard fought contest for ninth place. Hungary led for most of the way, and took a 7-5 advantage to half time. Through most of the second half the Hungarians led by one or two goals but with just over a minute left, Catalonia finally levelled the game. With no further score the game required the second golden goal of the day; the third Hungary has had to play for at this tournament. In a nervous golden goal period, which lasted five minutes, both teams made basic mistakes before a penalty to Catalonia made it a formality for them to finish the game 13-12, giving them ninth place in the tournament.

Rob Smith

Australia – Chinese Taipei 13:21 (7:10)
Although Australia fought hard, they could not overcome the team they have traditionally fourught for dominance of the korfball world beyond Europe. Australia fought back from a 10-7 half time deficit to draw level, but four unanswered goals by Chinese Taipei with ten minutes remaining was too much for the Australians who ended on the wrong end of 21-13.

England – Russia 9:13 (7:6)
England scored more freely than in their earlier games, at least through most of the first half, dominating the dangerous Russians in the rebound. However, Russia clicked into gear shortly before half time to draw back to 7-6 behind. The second half saw England’s difficulty to score return and they went a total of 28 minutes without a goal, while Russia accumulated regularly. In the end the young Russians booked a place in the playoff for fifth and sixth in their first World Championship, winning 13-9.

Netherlands – Czech Republic 22:9 (14:4)
A spirited rearguard action by the host in the face of a performance of routine excellence by the World Champion, with some memorable moments as their stars shone. A half time lead of 14-4 by the Tulips did not quite turn into the rout that they threatened from time to time, ending at 22-9 to put them through to the final of the World Championship for the eighth time in succession.

Belgium – Portugal 19:6 (11:3)
In completing the line up for the play offs, Belgium dealt emphatically to the challenge of Portugal. In the first half, in particular, the Belgians put together a quick long passing game to dominate their opponents, who seemed resigned to playing for the bronze medal right from the start. A first half score of 11-3 was transformed to 19-6 at the end.

Final Days Schedule

Friday 9th of November
13:30 Slovakia vs. Wales (Europa Bowl Final)
15:15 China vs. RSA 14/15
17:00 Poland vs. USA 13/14
18:45 India vs. Germany 11/12
20:30 Catalonia vs. Hungary 9/10

Saturday 10th of November
10:00 Australia vs. England 7/8
12:00 Chinese Taipei vs. Russia 5/6
14:00 Czech Republic vs. Portugal 3/2
16:00 Netherlands vs. Belgium Final
18:00 Closing Ceremony

Poland – China
An even and free scoring game saw the fast Chinese female players and the accurate Polish male shooters trade goal for goal throughout the first 40 minutes until the scoring abruptly stopped. An 11-11 half time scoreline grew to 15-15, then the defenders took over. Eventually Poland managed two late goals to win the game 17-15 and take their place in the play off for 13/14 tomorrow.

USA – South Africa
Two similarly matched teams also unable to be parted on the scoreboard. On this occasion the defence was slightly better, and another goal drought took place for most of the second half. From 7-6 to the USA at half time, the match finished at 9-9. After a missed penalty by South Africa in the golden goal period, the USA finally scored to win the game 10-9.

Catalonia – India
Another close game and low scoring game, controlled by Catalonia. India looked good in places, but was unable to control the tempo, or at times themselves, as their opponent took an early lead and was never caught, going from 8-4 at half time to 12-10 at the final whistle.

Germany - Hungary
The fourth very close game of the day saw two teams who will rate themselves unlucky to have missed playing in the top eight. Hungary played with class and confidence, but Germany was clearly anxious to make up for losses earlier in the tournament and gave the Hungarians little quarter. At half time Hungary led by 10-8. Scoring again slowed in the second half and after being four down, Germany was on level terms heading to the climax. Seemingly set for another golden goal, Hungary sealed the win with just seven seconds left to play, winning 17-16.

Today’s results mean that, in the play offs for positions nine to sixteen, the games, to be played on Friday, will be as follows:

15/16 – China v South Africa
13/14 – Poland v USA
11/12 – India v Germany
9/10 – Catalonia v Hungary

Rob Smith

China – USA
Two of the least experienced teams at the tournament produced a close game in which the lead changed regularly and no team was able to gain a clear advantage. After being marginally ahead at half time, by 6-5, a late surge by China achieved its first win at World Championship level 16-13.

South Africa – India
In a high scoring game between two young teams from the Commonwealth, India showed greater poise and precision to build on a scoring spree just before half time, when they led 14-6, to prevail at full time by 26-19 and give themselves a chance to battle for the ninth position at this tournament.

Catalonia – Germany
An open and even contest throughout, Catalonia started fast, and effectively, to go to a four goal lead. Once the Germans found their rhythm they managed to pull back goals and went to half time at 7-7. Germany kept their momentum at the beginning of the second half, and held a one or two goal margin until four minutes from time, when Catalonia drew even, before scoring twice in the final minute to take an upset win 13-11.

Poland – Hungary
As both teams were already assured of their respective destinations in the semi finals, this was not the keenest contest of the tournament, with both coaches resting key players. True to the form shown to date, Hungary made more of the play than Poland, winning the first half 7-2. Although Poland scored a few more, the second half saw a similar tale, and the final score was 14-8

Portugal – Russia
This was one of the most important games of the tournament so far, with the medal hopes of these two, and Chinese Taipei, riding on the result. Neither side enjoyed a clear advantage until a goal flurry late in the first half took Portugal to a 9-7 lead. In the second half the goals dried up for Portugal, who scored only once in the first 20 minutes of the half, enabling the Russian team to draw level. But once again, when it counted, Portugal sustained the pressure to win 14-12 and book their place in the medal round.

Australia – England
As is generally the case in sporting fixtures between these two countries, this was a dogged battle where both were fully committed. Defence was tight and neither side could establish a clear advantage. At half time Australia was 7-5 up, but approaching full time England was one ahead. Australia equalised with 20 seconds on the clock, and a golden goal period was played, lasting an incredibly tense nine minutes, until England finally broke through for a 13-12 victory.

Netherlands – Chinese Taipei
The world champion stood in the way of Chinese Taipei getting their quest for a medal back on track. It was an insurmountable barrier, and the normally fluid Asian champions were made to look ordinary. Scoreless for the first 22 minutes, while their opponent hit ten, the half time score was 14-2 to the Netherlands. In the second half the Dutch crowd-pleasers looked to play some trick korfball, which largely came off, to give them a comfortable win of 28-9, and leaving Chinese Taipei to play for fifth.

Belgium – Czech Republic
Belgium showed they are peaking at the right end of the tournament with a virtuoso display over their one-time conqueror. Showing huge commitment and making light of a large crowd to support the host, Belgium ran the Czech Republic ragged, storming to a 13-4 half time lead against their fellow medal contender. There was little respite in the second half and after some thrilling korfball by the Diamonds, the score at the end was Belgium 23 Czech Republic 12.

Rob Smith

Catalonia – USA
Long scoreless phases punctuated by short bursts of goal action characterised a game where the young Americans took a slightly different lesson in international korfball from their Iberian opponents. Scoring their first and last goal after eight minutes, the USA went to half time with a deficit of 7-1, which grew to 14-1 at the end.

Poland – India
Golden goal drama for the second time in the tournament. Poland took a lead of 10-6 into the break after a scrappy half of korfball. However, the quality of play increased after half time and India turned the tables on their tiring opponents, drawing level with just over a minute remaining, then hitting the winner within a few seconds of the start of the golden goal period to close out the game at .17-16.

China – Germany
China and Germany played out an untidy game, with both teams using a number of bench players. China is gradually improving with each game at this tournament, but could not match the Germans, even if they were not operating at full intensity. A half time lead of 9-5 was turned into a 17-9 result for Germany.

Hungary – South Africa
Hungary was in efficient and ruthless form in this game, where they quickly established an advantage over the representative of the African continent, and never gave their opponent a hint of recovery. An advantage of 13-7 for Hungary at the half was turned into 22-10 at full time.

Netherlands – Russia
Although Russia played well, particularly without their playmaker Sergey Nizovskii who was nursing an injured ankle, the Netherlands built a score with characteristic flair, cutting their opponent’s chances to virtually none. After half time, when the champion had an advantage of 13-1, the game began too flow more, for both teams, ending with 30-6.

Belgium – England
Second-ranked Belgium faced their toughest examination of the tournament so far in a match against the tall, tight defending English. Evenly matched, and behind on the scoreboard at half time by 5-6, Belgium had depths to draw on early in the second and drew ahead of the English, retaining their advantage until the end: 14-10.

Czech Republic – Australia
Again lacking fluency in their attack, the Czech Republic nevertheless managed to account for Australia. A half time lead of 9-4 was transformed into 18-9 at full time, in a game that became scrappy at the end as players showed the effects of fatigue.

Chinese Taipei – Portugal
Against most predictions, and overturning the IKF rankings, Portugal put paid to Chinese Taipei. A score of 10-8 at half time, was turned into 17-15 at the end as the Asian champion ran out of time and options and seriously dented their chance at winning a medal.

The quarter-final groups finish tomorrow.

Rob Smith

Netherlands - China
In a game that had no bearing on the rest of the tournament, the highest ranked korfball country defeated the lowest ranked at this tournament by the largest margin of the championship so far, turning a half time lead of 22-3 into a final score of 42-10.

Portugal - Catalonia
Determining that they rather than their neighbour and rival in this game will proceed in this tournament, Portugal demonstrated their greater experience, after an uneven start, to take control of Catalonia, building an 8-6 half time lead into a 17-10 victory.

Chinese Taipei - USA
Another mismatch, and with nothing riding on the result since the fate of these two teams was determined yesterday, Chinese Taipei used a number of players who have not featured in the earlier games to cruise from a half time lead of 12-3 step up the tempo in the second half and prevail at the end by 28-13.

Germany - Russia
In a game where neither team could build a lead of more than three goals, the less experienced Russia managed to hold on and hold out Germany, for a surprising, but well deserved victory to provide themselves with a passport to the top eight of this tournament, and to the World Games in two years time. At half time it was 7-7. Russia taking a lead soon after that they never quite relinquished to end up with a 13-12 victory.

England - Hungary
England wins the Group C shoot out against Hungary in one of the lowest scoring games ever at a korfball world championship, dominated by tight rebound defence. It took 15 minutes to open the scoring with England going to a 3-1 half time lead. Goals freed up slightly in the second half, but not by much and after England had built on their lead, Hungary pared it back to just one to see another frantic finish, this time with no turn around at the end for England to win by 7-6.

Belgium - Poland
In a one-way contest, with nothing really for either side to play for, Belgium completed the formality of a 28-5 win, after leading 15-2 at half time. Poland, starting with most of their bench players, had the consolation of keeping the Belgians to less than 30, which Australia and South Africa both suffered in Group B.

Czech Republic - India
Already assured of a spot in the top eight, the host of the tournament still failed to really establish a rhythm, and were troubled by their feisty opponent, at least for much of the first half. A half time lead of 12-8 to the Czechs was translated into a 24-14 victory.

Australia - South Africa
With their form in the previous two days disappointing, Australia faced the apparently impossible task of beating South Africa by seven clear goals to progress to the top half of the draw. However, this was achieved, with an 8-6 half time lead augmented by a steady second half and a powerful final few minutes when they broke the young South African’s hearts to finish the game at 22-13.

Rob Smith

Group A

Catalonia – China 23:11 (13:6)
A similar scenario to the Russia – USA duel could be seen in today’s second game at the VUT Hall. Catalonia held the ascendancy against an improved China, which seemed to have learnt some of the lessons dealt to them the previous day by Portugal. Catalonia turned a 13-6 half time lead into a 23-11 victory, their top scorer, Xavi Blazquez, scoring seven.

Netherlands – Portugal 30:9 (12:5)
The third one sided game of the day at the VUT hall saw the Netherlands unsurprisingly confirm their place in the top eight, making no match of it against Portugal. Despite substituting a whole section at half time, the Netherlands marched relentlessly on, going from a half time lead of 12-5 to a final score of 30-10, top scorer Wim Scholtmeijer bagging six.

Group B

RSA – Poland 22:15 (11:12)
Both looking to progress from Group B, South Africa and Poland fought out an even first 30 minutes, with the Polish team overturning a deficit to edge into a half time lead 12-11. However, the second half was a different story, with the young South Africans growing in stature and confidence and keeping their opponent scoreless for 24 minutes, to earn a 22-15 victory on the back of excellent performances by Werner Basson and Luther Grobler: a result that and put them into pole position for a top eight placing, so long as they can hold Australia at bay tomorrow.

Belgium - Australia 32:6 (14:2)
Another command performance by Belgium against a depleted Australian team completed the second day’s programme at the Vodova Hall. Hitting the target with metronomic regularity, Belgium built a half time lead of 14-2 into a final score of 32-6, confirming, if there was ever any doubt, that the world’s second ranked nation will compete in the top eight.

Group C

Hungary – India 19:7 (11:4)
Both teams needed a win to keep their hopes alive, but Hungary was the only serious contender throughout this Group C contest. Going from 11-4 at half time to a 19-7 victory for the Hungarians, who retain their chance to play in the top eight, depending on the result from their final group game against England, while India is confined to compete for the minor places.

Czech Republic – England 12:11 GG (4:3)
Two European korfball nations fought an intriguing Group C game, with defence generally to the fore and structured attacks insufficient to give either side a significant lead throughout the most exciting match of the tournament so far. A 4-3 half time lead to the hosts was overturned by England early in the second half, but neither could pull away and 11-11 at full time required a golden goal to decide the winner. Making best use of their opportunity, and taking a patient approach, Jan Malacka scored for the Czech Republic during their elongated first golden goal. England was unable to match it and in front of an ecstatic crowd the Czech Republic ‘stole’ their second game in two days, winning this 12-11.

Group D

Russia – USA 19:9 (12:4)
Russia completed its first World Championship victory over the inexperienced United States to keep alive its chances of progressing to the top eight of the competition. Russian supremacy was built on the shooting superiority of Sergey Usachev and Sergei Nizovskii. Although the American female players dominated their team’s scoring, the game was never in doubt for the Russians, who prevailed by 19-9 after leading 12-4 at half time.

Chinese Taipei – Germany 21:16 (12:8)
The final game of the day saw today’s first real contest at the VUT hall, but Chinese Taipei, building on their excellent win over Russia yesterday, proved too strong for Germany, drawing away in the first 30 minutes, then maintaining their half time margin of 12-8 to record an eventual victory of 21-16.

Chinese Taipei and Russia gave korfball fans an ideal start in the first game at the VUT sports hall. Two young and athletic teams, playing with contrasting styles, were both anxious to avoid defeat. In the end, with their greater experience of korfball at this level and more flexible tactical approach, the Asian champions came through 20-16 to stake a claim for favouritism in Group D, which will see more compelling games in the next two days. If the Russian players can find their shooting range, however, they will still be a strong contender in the tournament.

The other games at the VUT sports hall, where Groups A and D will be played out, were more clear cut. Germany overcome the USA by 24-10; the world champion Tulips, from the Netherlands put on a consummate display to put Catalonia away by 29-11; and newcomer China, in their first world championship, learnt a tough lesson at the hands of Portugal, losing 32-7.

Meanwhile at the Vodova Hall, Groups B and C were in progress. First up, in a meeting of two Commonwealth countries, England managed to overcome spirited resistance from India, winning 19-13, but losing one of their top players, David Brooks, to an ankle injury that left him on crutches and ended his tournament.

Matching the score of the Portuguese and Chinese, korfball superpower Belgium launched Group B and their mission to improve on the silver medal they won in 2003. ‘The Diamonds,’ sparkled against South Africa, defeating the African champions by 32-7, and serving a pointed reminder that it will need a superhuman effort for any other team to break into the IKF’s top two, displacing either the Diamonds or the Tulips.

The second match of Group B saw a much closer battle, and a result that defied previous korfball history: Australia was defeated 18-12 by Poland. Australia put on a spirited fightback early in the second half, but in a squad that is missing a number of their top players, they just failed to overturn the lead that Poland had established, and in the final ten minutes of the match the Poles were able to score more freely to win with greater ease than had seemed likely through the preceding 50.

Rounding out the day, host team the Czech Republic fought an almighty battle with their Hungarian neighbours. After looking slightly better composed than their rival in a tight first half, the Czech team lost traction in a low scoring second, and it appeared that underdog Hungary had stolen a win, taking the lead for the first time with four minutes left. Spurred on by their passionate supporters, however, the Czech Republic did just enough to equalise in the final minute, then score the conclusive goal with just 20 seconds left, winning by 14-13.

In summary, then, the day underlined the dominance of European korfball, with the Chinese Taipei defeat of Russia the only exception to European teams overcoming opponents from outside their continent.

Whether that scenario continues remains to be seen. Another eight games will be played out in the two groups, with the Group B game between Poland and South Africa; Group C’s encounter between yesterday’s two winners the Czech Republic and England; and the equivalent Group D stand off between Chinese Taipei and Germany promising to set the pulses of korfball fans racing most rapidly.

See the results and statistics overview:
http://www.worldkorfball.org/competitions/29.html