The last day of the Torneo Sur y Centro Americano de Balonmano Recife 2022 was marked by games with an intense level of play and high technical quality.
Paraguay – Costa Rica
This game was already known. Both squads had previously faced each other in the group stage, where Paraguay had beaten Costa Rica 31-24, so this match was a rematch for the Costa Ricans.
At first, the match that defined the 5° and 6° place of the tournament proved quite even. The score went from equal to equal, and the level of play of both was similar. However, as the clock ticked, the Guaraníes began to increase the intensity of the match and began to move away on the scoreboard.
Slowly, the Central Americans managed to reach the rhythm of Paraguay, a fact that cost a strong injury to Sebastián Brenes, player from Costa Rica, who had to be rushed to a medical center.
Throughout the game, Costa Rica came very close to beating Paraguay, but the albirrojos never let down and stayed with the 5° venue of the contest.
“We were able to achieve the goal of 5° place, but with these months of work I think we could deserve a little more. Anyway, we are happy with this tournament” – Ever Salinas, captain and figure of Paraguay.
Finally, both squads made a great game and showed that they are growing rapidly in handball.
Chile – Uruguay
This match for the 3° and 4° place lit the spirits for the last day of Recife, since Chile and Uruguay faced in a match of great quality and intensity.
Throughout the game, Chile won against the sky. Although La Roja couldn’t make it to the final, it wanted to be at the top of the table and get on the podium.
Uruguay thought the same, but it was difficult to get close to the Chileans on the score. In the same way, the Charrúas showed all their game and technical quality and managed to get only 4 goals in a moment of the game.
“Uruguay is a team that is working very well, they went to the last World Cup and qualified to where it comes too, so this growth is good for all South America” – Esteban Salinas, pivot of the Chilean team.
Finally, the match ended 29-21 in favor of the Chileans, where his figures, Rodrigo Salinas and Emil Feuchtmann, were key to expand the account.
Thus, Chile stayed with the bronze in Recife 2022, while the Uruguayan team stayed with the 4° place of the tournament.
Argentina – Brazil
The two largest in America were in charge of giving the public of Geraldao, and the whole region, a show worthy of end. As expected, they fulfilled it.
The final between Argentina and Brazil was almost like a dèjá vu. In the last edition of Maringá 2020, both teams faced each other in a match of infarction that was decided in the last seconds and left Argentina as champion of the tournament after winning 25-24.
This match was a rematch for the local team and on the court it was noticeable that they wanted to take the title away from the albicelestes. Strong defenses, fast attacks, effective progressions, 2-minute fouls and the remarkable performances of the goalkeepers, Leonel Maciel and Rangel Da Rosa, marked the match between these two greats.
At the end of the first half, the score was 10-10, which showed the intensity of the teams and, in addition, the even level they maintained. In the second half, the panorama did not seem to change much and each goal was shouted with more breath.
However, during the last 5 minutes of the match, the box led by Tatá Oliveira was far superior and began to take distance on the score.
“Playing against Argentina is always very complicated. We have come from losing in two finals against them, but we have worked hard to win at home, in Recife”. – Rogerio Moraes, key player from Brazil.
“We played well throughout the tournament, but today we lacked a bit of clarity in the critical moments of the match. I hope that these errors will serve to continue improving” – Diego Simonet, Argentine historical.
In this way, the locals stayed with the title at home after winning 20-17 and became the best in America. Unfortunately, the new Argentine coach, Guillermo Milano could not revalidate the title and had to lower his head in his first big challenge.
Anyway, both teams made an impeccable tournament and came undefeated to the final, instance in which someone would have to have their first defeat in Recife 2022.
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