Two-faced last test for Belgium

Catalunya puts up a great performance against Belgium in the fist half, looking to create an upset for who reaches the final, but Belgium takes control in the second half to finish with a clear 14-27 victory.

Contender Catalunya chooses to put strong defense on Cleyman with their captain Gabriel Giralt. This, together with good scoring by Blazquez Buisan is the foundation for the southern Europeans slowly getting in control of this game. Belgium starts leading until 4-4 when Blazquez Buisan personally puts 4-6 on the board with two field goals. Belgium equalizes and reclaims the lead, to have both squads being on top on and off. Blazquez Buisan's fifth goal four minutes before half time means 10-8 and the foundation for the Catalan half time lead, which is 11-9.

After the mild explosion that surely takes place in the Belgian dressing room, the favourites take their place on the pitch again with two female substitutions. Cleyman shows he got the message his coach clearly gave him by leveling the score in the first minute. This is the start of a Belgian thunder storm raging across the field that Catalunya just can't match. After the 12-12 they see Belgium play up to 13-16, causing Catalunya to take a time-out. This has little effect, just as the Catalan substitution at 13-18. Cleyman gets two penalties to make 13-21, which breaks Catalunya. This gives Van Hoof the opportunity to bring in De Bremaeker to relieve Nick Janssens. De Bremaeker thanks his coach with two goals, bringing the score to 13-23. By now it's clear who will win this game with ten minutes to go. Catalunya gives in, making the last ten minutes less interesting and poorer in goals. The final score is 14-27, meaning that Belgium wins the second half 3-18.

Cleyman is topscorer for Belgium with nine goals, mostly scored in the second half. Blazquez Buisan is main scorer for Catalunya with five, all scored in the first half.

So Catalunya sees a brave attempt lead to facing Taiwan for bronze, whereas Belgium gets a wake-up call. They clearly show two totally different sides of themselves, something they simply can't afford to do against The Netherlands.