Poland and Belarus to clash for group victories

Poland and Belarus have shown perfect dress rehearsals for their decisive final duel in Group 3 of the European qualification for the 2013 Women’s World Championship Play-Offs.

Both contenders for the group victory took clear wins on Wednesday evening. Poland won 39:12 against Italy and remain without  loss or draw after five rounds.

Belarus won 47:26 in Lithuania but are still two points behind. To win the group and to qualify for the European play-offs they now need to beat Poland on Sunday by a difference larger than 10 goals after losing the first encounter 19:29.

Third-ranked Italians still have two points on their account, Lithuania remain on bottom with zero.

The Polish victory had never been threatended, the gap at the break stood already at 11 goals with the score being 18:7 as the host had started by a 11:4 series in the opening period.

Italy ran out of steam completely in the second half, scoring only five goals in 30 minutes – so in the end the margin was 27 goals even though Polish coach Kim Rasmussen made a huge rotation. Top scorer was Patryzia Kulwinska with eight goals.

Like Poland, Belarus had an easy-going evening in Lithuania, leading by 22:12 at the break – and they even could save some energy  for the crucial 'final' with Poland.

Alesia Kuchankova and Hanna Sukhamirava scored six goals each for the victors – the same number as Diana Satkauskaite for the hosts, who were absolutely without a chance.

Group 4 will see a group final in a direct duel between the two top teams. On Wednesday night Portugal won 31:26 (15:11) against Azerbaijan and are now equal with Turkey as both teams have four points.

They will now face on Saturday, 1 December, in Turkey. As the Portuguese team won the first leg by 38:36 they only need a draw to become the group's winner while the Turkish side needs to win to progress.

Portuguese Ana Seabra scored seven times against Azerbaijan, as Ekaterina Peche netted nine times for the guest team which is out of the race for the group victory.