From November 29 to December 17, Denmark, Norway and Sweden held the twenty-sixth edition of the Women’s Handball World Cup. The Argentine team, for its part, lost in its group against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic and beat Congo, a victory that allowed it to advance to the Main Round. In this phase they lost to Spain and Brazil and said goodbye to the tournament with a victory against Ukraine. Those led by Eduardo Gallardo closed the tournament in 20th place.
On the first date of Group H, La Garra began its 12th participation in the world competition with a defeat against the Netherlands, a team that had been champions in 2019. During the first half, the Argentines managed to reach 6 meters, but the lack of effectiveness would be decisive against a team that had no problems taking advantage of scoring opportunities, 14-20 closed the first half, in favor of the Netherlands. In the second half, the Europeans did not slow down and through external shots and counterattacks, they demonstrated superiority and widened the difference, ending the match 26-41.
Two days later, ‘La Garra’ faced their second rival in Group H: Czech Republic. The match got off to a very good start for Argentina, keeping the score even, with a goal-to-goal tone, but they ended up giving up in the final stretch of the first half and went into half-time down by 6 goals. Difference that was maintained in the complement and that ended with a score of 31-22.
After two defeats in the initial phase of the competition, the team was forced to win against Congo to secure its place in the Main Round. And so it was, those led by Eduardo Gallardo, in a hard-fought match, won 31-26 against the African team. With this result, the albicelestes finished third in Group H, qualifying for the next phase of the competition, without carryover of points.
In the Main Round, Argentina faced Spain, in a tremendous match, which ended one goal ahead for the Albicelestes in the first half, but the Argentine team could not beat the current runners-up and lost 23-30.
The South American classic was Argentina’s fifth appearance at the World Cup, but despite its efforts, it could not improve the result of the last match played with Brazil in the final of the Pan American Games. Argentina fell 19-33 to a solid Brazilian team.
On the third and final date of the Main Round, he sealed a victory. ‘La Garra’ defeated Ukraine 25-20 and put an end to its participation in the 26th World Cup held in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, achieving 20th place in the competition.
Manuela Pizzo, player of the Argentine national team: “On a group level, I think it was a very good World Cup. Although we obtained the result we wanted, which was to advance to the Main Round and climb further positions, we were in a very difficult group, where two of them advanced to the quarterfinals. This is what gives us experience and allows us to continue growing.”
Photo: IHF
