The women's handball tournament wrapped up Matchday 4 with six preliminary-round matches on Wednesday. Details from each game of the session are below.
Group A: South Korea vs. Sweden
Sweden's dominance in the first half was just enough for the Europeans to earn a 27-21 victory over South Korea.
The Asian country had no answer for Sweden's attack in the first half, nor was it clinical in its opportunities at goal. Although the match evened up a bit in regards to attacking play in the second half, Sweden looked to be comfortable throughout the match and was able to secure a crucial two points. Sweden's attack has been impressive so far in the tournament, and its 64% conversation rate against South Korea shows this team is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Sweden, which currently tops Group A, has secured its spot in the quarterfinals, while South Korea will want Germany to drop points in its two remaining matches to have hopes of moving on.
Group B: Netherlands vs. Brazil
The Netherlands once again put its entertaining attacking style of handball on full display during its 31-24 win against Brazil.
After running away with a fast start in the opening 10 minutes, it proved to be a comfortable match for the Dutch women as they did not allow Brazil even a small chance of making the game close. Both teams put up at least 50 shots, but the Netherlands proved to be more lethal with Bo Van Wetering (six goals) being the main impact player for her team.
The result puts the Netherlands in a comfortable position to dance to the quarterfinals, while Brazil will need to win its remaining games and Hungary to lose its upcoming matches to qualify for the next round.
Group B: Spain vs. Hungary
Spain and Hungary played out an intense match, but it was Hungary who was able to outlast its opponent in a 27-24 win.
Both teams showed solid defending as goalies Mercedes Castellanos (Spain) and Blanka Bode-Biro (Hungary) parried away more than 30% of the shots taken at them. The key difference in the match occurred in the last 10 minutes as Hungary was finally able to create a two-goal gap, and Petra Fuzi-Tovizi's goal in the final three minutes ensured her side received a crucial win to better its chances of making it to the quarterfinals.
Spain showed grit throughout the tournament but was not able to pick up a win in four matches so far. The Spanish women are now eliminated from the tournament and will play their last match against host France on Saturday, Aug. 3.
Group B: Angola vs. France
France went full throttle against Angola as the host nation won 38-24.
Almost every shot that the French woman took went on goal as the team put up an impressive 75% conversion rate. But it was really in the second half when France rolled up its sleeves and took full advantage of home court, scoring a whopping 20 points. Vilma Nenganga, Stelvia Pascoal and Azenaide Carlos scored five goals each to help the host nation remain unbeaten in the women's tournament.
As for Angola, the loss still puts it in fourth place in Group B and has to win its last match of the group stage to secure its spot in the quarterfinals.
Group A: Germany vs. Denmark
In what has been the most physical match yet in the women's handball tournament, Denmark squeezed out a 28-27 win versus Germany. Both teams made about half of the shots they took, but they also had a fair amount of two-minute suspensions, with Germany having three and Denmark having four.
The match literally came down to the last minute as Denmark's goalie Althea Reinhardt made a kick save to seal the win for her team. Although Denmark escaped with a victory, both teams will consider how they can put more clinical as they failed to capitalize on many 6-on-4 situations.
Denmark still remains in first place in Group A, while Germany will need to win its last group stage match and hope Slovenia loses its two remaining matches to advance.
Group A: Slovenia vs. Norway
Gold medal favorites Norway cruised to a 29-22 win over Slovenia in its fourth group-stage match.
It was a dominant display from Norway as the team converted 66% of its shots. Kari Dale, Vilde Ingstad and Thale Deila scored four goals each and the team's defense made it difficult for Slovenia to make the game close. Credit is also due to Norway goalie Katrine Lunde as she saved nearly half of the shots that were thrown at her.
Norway looks like the complete team, and its current first-place spot in Group A reflects it. As for Slovenia, the team is last in the group with two points but not quite out yet. If Germany and South Korea lose their last match and Slovenia wins, then Slovenia will go through.