The SCA U20 Men’s Trophy + Handball, where the places to the World Cup and the Junior Pan American Games were defined, came to an end. The Polideportivo Alexis Argüello in the city of Managua, lived an exciting closing day.
Argentina won the South Central title, with Brazil and Uruguay completing the podium.
First shift
Venezuela and Guatemala opened the day’s competition; both teams had already faced each other and were looking to finish the tournament with a victory. The Venezuelans once again showed their supremacy over the Guatemalans. They dominated the game from start to finish. In this way, the team led by Alexis Torren won by 32 to 23.
Wilmer Toledo was Venezuela’s top scorer with 8 goals, while on the Guatemalan side, Josue Juarez and José García scored 5 goals each.
Nicaragua IHF Trophy champion
In the second match, Colombia and Nicaragua faced each other for the IHF Trophy Continental title. In a tight match that ended up being defined in the last minutes, the locals were able to obtain the victory. The team coached by Ricardo Taleno defeated Colombia 33-30 and became champions of the IHF Continental Trophy. Champions of the IHF Trophy Continental South and Central America. Ervin Gonzalez of Nicaragua was the scorer of the match with 10 goals and the top scorer of the tournament, with a total of 39 conversions. The Nicaraguans will play the playoff in search of the last ticket to the Junior Pan American Games, Asuncion 2025.
Awarding of the first round of play of the Trophy + HSCA U20 Men.
View this post on Instagram
Third Place
Uruguay and Chile faced each other to climb the podium, but mainly to win the last of the three places at stake for the World Cup and the Pan American Games. In a match without many complications, Uruguay was able to dominate the match and take advantage from the beginning. The Chileans managed to score the first goal after 8 minutes of the first half. The Chilean team tried in the second half to overcome the 7 goals difference, but continued to show flaws in their defense. Meanwhile, the team led by Manuel Adler remained solid in their counterattacks and were able to take advantage of their opponent’s turnovers.
In this way, Uruguay won the match 23 to 14 and got a ticket to the World Cup and Pan American Games. The Uruguayan top scorer was Joaquín Urbina with 5 goals.
The final
Argentina and Brazil were undefeated going into the final for the title, and from the and from the previous match an exciting super classic was palpitated. In a very close match from the beginning, Brazil, thanks to the effectiveness of Lucas Da Silva, was able to get the difference in the scoreboard and go to the break winning by 2 goals. The team coached by Guillermo Milano, suffered some complications at the beginning of the second half and Brazil reinforced its offensive and stretched the advantage to 6 goals. However, Argentina gradually got closer to the scoreboard and penetrated the Brazilian defense. With 5 minutes to go, the match was even. The end had mistakes and successes on both sides, the goalkeepers were protagonists, standing out Lautaro Rodriguez of the Albiceleste who kept key balls. Argentina won by the minimum difference 26 to 25 over Brazil.
Positions and standings
Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay qualified for the next World Cup to be held in Poland next year and also qualified for the second edition of the Junior Pan American Games, Asunción 2025.
In addition, Nicaragua, winner of the Continental Trophy title, will compete alongside Chile in the playoff for the Pan American Games.
The following is the ranking of the championship:
1st Argentina
2nd Brazil
3rd Uruguay
4º Chile
5º Nicaragua
6º Colombia
7º Venezuela
8º Guatemala
Awarding of the second round of play of the Trophy + HSCA U20 Men.
View this post on Instagram
Relive all the coverage of the Trophy + Handball SCA U20 on our Instagram. @handballsca If you liked Trophy + Handball SCA U20 Men’s SCA U20 Finishedyou can also go back and read: Argentina is champion in Trophy + Handball SCA U20!
Photos: CoSCABal / Carlos Montealto.
By Rocío Mariel García Sigüenza and Loly Coria.
