Poland affirms European domination
In their quarter final game, India has few problems with South Africa, Wales lack goals against Hong Kong, Germany has no problems and is Poland against China a tight game where China is short one goal to play for nineth place, losing 20-21.
India is in the lead against South Africa from the start, going to 4-0 in under ten minutes, half time is 14-8 already. Dahiya scores twelve of the twenty-eight that India makes against the weak African representative, final score 28-16.
Hong Kong faces Wales and secures victory also early, keeping the advantage in goals throughout the game. At half time they lead 6-10 and score goas up to 8-19 at three quarters of the game before Wales after a time-out makes a final effort to make a comeback that ends at 15-19. Lau scores six for Hong Kong in this game that puts them against India to play for thirteenth place. Wales gets the opportunity to win its first game against South Africa in the final round, which should prove to be little effort.
Australia is the victim of Germany frustration and determination. It takes the Germans just under a quarter to shake off Australia, that performs well at the beginning of the game, at half time the German lead is up to 13-7 though and the second half its Germany all the way, ending in 26-15 and Germany on track for winning that nineth place. Käsbach wins the crown for most productive German with seven goals, where Dülfer and Müller both have five. Papalia is most successful in defending Australia's honour with six goals.
The final game of this day decides who will play Germany for best of the rest and both Poland and China prove to be keen on getting there. In a tight game, Poland is in the lead most of the second half after a slow start where neither squad is very productive. China gets a 2-1 lead, then Poland gets to 3-6 and 7-10 before China closes in to 9-10 and 10-11. Poland puts 10-12 on the scoreboard at half time. China equalizes and takes control of the game, going from 12-12 to 16-13 and looks to claim victory. With two Polish substitutions, the Polish go from 17-14 to 17-21 in one go, breaking Chinese resistance with seven minutes to go. China puts in a great effort after also making a substitution. A penalty in the last minute brings them at a nerve wrecking 20-21 score, but they fail to force extra time, 20-21 is the final score, putting Poland against Germany for nineth place. In this brave fight by China, Haoran Wang and Liang score five, where the Polish tandem Zak and Rubinkowski score six goals each.
This round of games puts 'Europe' in nineth and tenth place, where Germany most likely will defeat Poland in the final game. China gets the opportunity to claim honour and eleventh place against Australia, a task they look qualified for. China shows good progress in this tournament and in front of their own crowd. Too bad for them it proves to be just a bit too little for a higher ranking in this tournament and they have a big effort to make to get close to their local rival Taiwan.
Hong Kong and India meet each other in similar situations, both playing one good game in the first round and then spiraling down and down. The final game will show which of the two is better in the end.