Women's Handball Group A Preliminary Round
USA vs. DEN
Danes Overcome American Challenge in Handball
Denmark defeated the United States, 29-19, and staved off an upset in front of the American home crowd. In a contest that was in doubt for much of the first half, Denmark scored six straight goals to pull away at the end of the stanza during first round Group A action on Friday at the Georgia World Congress Center.
With the Americans holding a slim 8-7 lead, Denmark tied the score with 7:21 remaining in the first half to begin their 6-0 run. The USA closed out the scoring before the break with a goal to post the 13-9 halftime margin.
Denmark poured it on in the second stanza, as the U.S. could get no closer than within three goals early in the half. Denmark received balanced scoring throughout the game, but leftback Anja Jul ANDERSEN led the team on 8-for-11 shooting, with seven assists and two blocks. The top American scorer was leftwing Chryssandra HIRES, who tallied eight goals.
Danish goalkeeper Susanne LAURITSEN held her own and put together an impressive performance rejecting shot after shot to collect a tournament-high 17 saves. American goalie Tami JAMESON also played well and had 10 saves in the contest before getting a 2-minute penalty just before the end and missing the rest of the game.
Final Score: DEN 29 - USA 19.
KOR vs. GER
Korea Takes First Step to Third Straight Gold
Korea, which is looking to become the first team in women's Olympic handball to win three consecutive gold medals, is well on its way as it easily defeated Germany 33-20, posting the day's highest score at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Korea, which along with Norway sits atop Group B, led at the halfway point 17-12, behind the strength of centerback LIM O-Kyeong who went 7-for-9, scoring all of her points before the break. The Germans, however, played staunch defense led by their goalkeeper, Eike BRAM, who collected seven first-half saves.
The high-powered Korean fast-break led to 52 shots and included two scoring stretches apiece of four and six goals. So dominant were the two-time champions, that they outscored their opponent 12-2 over a 23 minute span which began with 13:11 left in the first half.
Germany then reeled off five straight goals to close the margin to 24-17, but would get no closer. Both pivot Michaela ERLER and leftwing Emilia LUCA tied as German high scorers with four each, while joining LIM on the scoreboard for the Koreans was leftback OH Seong-Ok who shot 5-for-9 adding five assists.
Yet, it was outstanding goalkeeping by the Korean goalie, OH Yong-Ran that helped the reigning Olympic champions to victory. OH rebuffed shot after shot, notching 13 saves, as the Korean defense held firm, doubling the German offensive output in the second half and forcing 23 turnovers.
When competition resumes on Sunday, Korea meets up against Angola, while Germany squares off with Norway.
Final Score: KOR 33, GER 20.
"We were able to score a lot of goals after the first half," said Korean head coach CHUNG Hyung-Kyun. "We were able to build up our confidence in the break, and that enabled us to win."
Women's Handball / Group B Preliminary Round
NOR vs. ANG
GRINI Powers Norway Past Angola
Norway opened its Group B competition with a victory over Angola, 30-18, on the strength of leftback Kjersti GRINI's 10-for-15 performance. GRINI opened the scoring for Norway, and the Norwegians never looked back in Friday's second match in the Olympic Games at the Georgia World Congress Center.
GRINI was perfect from the penalty stripe, converting five shots. Yet, it was the defensive pressure put forth by Norway that shut down Angola and held them to only 28 total shot attempts. Angola was led by centerback Palmira DE ALMEIDA, who notched four goals.
Next up for Norway is Germany, while Angola plays reigning Olympic champion Korea. Both teams resume play on Sunday.
Final Score: NOR 30, ANG 18.
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