Angola Secures Victory Over Republic of Korea in Women’s Handball World Championship

In their final main round clash at the IHF Women’s World Championship in Trondheim, African champions Angola triumphed over Asian champions Republic of Korea, concluding their tournament journey on a high note.

The intense showdown unfolded in Group II, culminating in a tight score of 33:31 flavouring Angola (halftime score: 20:15). Both teams aimed to conclude their Norwegian campaign positively as they gear up for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a competition they’ve already secured spots in.

The match entered around the remarkable performance of Angola’s line player, Albertina Kassoma, reminiscent of the multifaceted energy depicted in the award-winning Hollywood movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Kassoma’s prowess was evident as she delivered an impressive 11 goals out of 12 attempts (92% effectiveness) and garnered the title of the match’s best player.

Her impact extended beyond scoring, dominating defensively against the Korean attackers, making their efforts to breach her stronghold quite challenging. Kassoma’s early five goals paved the way for Angola’s commanding lead, establishing a 9:4 advantage within the first 10 minutes, ultimately extending to a six-goal margin (15:9) by the 20-minute mark.

Despite the valiant efforts of Korea’s Ryu Eun Hee and Bitna Woo, Angola continued to widen the gap, securing a seven-goal lead (26:19) by the 38th minute. Korea showcased resilience in their late surge, excelling in fastbreaks and outscoring their opponents (12:7) in the latter part of the game, yet falling short of closing the considerable gap.

Kassoma’s stellar performance was complemented by Angola’s goalkeeper, Marta Alberto, with an impressive 16 saves. In contrast, Korea’s goalkeeper duo, Jinhui Jeong and Saeyoung Park, struggled with only 10 saves out of 43 attempts, underscoring the need for improvement to compete at a higher level in the future.

Post-match, Korea’s coach Henrik Signell expressed the team’s need for taller, stronger players more accustomed to European handball, despite acknowledging their overall improvement. Angola’s coaching staff celebrated the victory, acknowledging the invaluable experience gained throughout the championship.

For Angola, the tournament served as a learning experience, featuring notable performances against formidable opponents. Meanwhile, Korea, with a blend of youth, experience, and returning players, remains a team with untapped potential, hinting at a different outlook for future championships.

The standout performance by Albertina Kassoma earned her the title of the hummel Player of the Match, capping off a remarkable contribution throughout Angola’s journey in the championship.

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Source: International Handball Federation