Home side Croatia eliminated in Last 16

Led by impressive and outstanding U19 EHF EURO champions Russia, seven European teams made it to the quarter-finals of the Women’s Junior World Championship in Croatia.

The only European team to lose an intercontinental duel in the Last 16 was Serbia, defeated by Asian champions Korea, with Romania lying in wait for the Asians in Wednesday's quarter-finals in Koprivnica. The three remaining quarter-finals are all-European affairs, including all three medallists of the Women’s 19 EHF EURO last summer Russia, Hungary and Denmark.

Meanwhile, seven other teams from Europe continue in the placement round for the ranking positions 9 to 16 from Wednesday.

Russia and Denmark took the clearest victories on Monday. While the European champions left Sweden behind with a stunning 31:18 win, youth world champions from 2012 Denmark had little to bother them in a 37:23 victory against Czech Republic.

The remaining six matches were more or less tight contests, including two real thrillers in Koprivnica. First the Netherlands, ranked fifth in Denmark last year, surprisingly ended the hopes of host Croatia thanks to a brilliant start, followed by a defeat for Norway against the Germans, who turned a 16:18 deficit in the final minutes to win 27:24.

Despite being far below par, Romania accounted for Portugal, while 2013 silver medallist Hungary needed to give their all to dispose of Slovenia.

Serbia tried hard to get back into the game after falling behind in the first half, but in the end the Koreans were too quick and too strong for them. France’s defence was the key against Brazil as they cruised to a 29:23 victory.

Now France vs. Denmark, Hungary vs. Germany and Russia vs. Netherlands are the three all-European quarter-finals on Wednesday, all of which will be streamed live in the event’s official website.

Last 16 results:

Denmark - Czech Republic 37:23 (19:10)
Portugal - Romania 21:25 (9:10)
Korea - Serbia 32:28 (20:15)
Brazil - France 23:29 (11:16)
Netherlands - Croatia 22:21 (12:10)
Hungary - Slovenia 26:20 (15:12)
Norway - Germany 24:27 (12:13)
Russia - Sweden 31:18 (17:7)

Quarter-finals on Wednesday, 9 July in Koprivnica:

14:00 hrs. local time: Denmark vs France
16:15 hrs. local time: Netherlands vs Russia
18:30 hrs. local time: Romania vs Korea
20:45 hrs. local time: Germany vs Hungary

The winners of the quarter-finals proceed to the semi-finals on 11 July, while the losers face in the first matches the placement round 5-8 on the same day (all matches in Koprivnica).

The schedule for the first day of the placement round 9-16 on 9 July in Dugo Selo:

14:00 hrs. local time: Czech Republic vs Brazil
16:00 hrs. local time: Croatia vs Sweden
18:00 hrs. local time: Portugal vs Serbia
19:00 hrs. local time: Norway vs Slovenia

The placement round 9-16 already continues on 10 July and will be completed on 12 July. 

Photo credits: Stephane Pillaud / IHF