Date:
7/31/2012
Three
women's handball teams can go through to the quarterfinals on the third match
day of the competition on Wednesday 1 August, in the Copper Box.
But
Russia, Korea and Brazil must win their games and then rely on other results.
Norway
v Korea
Korea has
a 100% record after beating Denmark (25-24) and Spain (31-27).
Champions
Norway suffered an opening defeat against France (24-23), but returned to
winning ways in beating Sweden 24-21.
At
Beijing 2008, the Norwegians won their semifinal against Korea 29-28. At
Barcelona 1992, the Asian champions beat the Europeans 28-21 in the final.
Montenegro
v Angola
After an
easy 31-19 victory against Great Britain, Montenegro lost their crucial game
against Brazil 27-25.
Angola
are still without a point after losing 28-23 against Croatia and 30-27 to
Russia. The African champions need at least two wins from their remaining three
matches to get to the knock-out stage.
Montenegro
have won their one and only encounter against Angola 28-26 at the 2011 world
championship.
France
v Sweden
France
are second in group B with three points after a surprising 24-23 win against
Norway and a 18-18 draw with Spain. Another win would not only open the
gate to the quarterfinals, but would give France the chance to finish first in
their group.
Sweden
lost both Scandinavian clashes against Denmark (21-18) and Norway (24-21) and
are the only team in group A without a a point. With France, Korea and Spain
ahead, the chances to progress look slim.
France
have won three of their four encounters with Sweden, including the last 16
match at the 2011 world championship (26-23). The only Swedish win at world
championships dates from 1990 (27-20).
Great
Britain v Brazil
Great
Britain, in their first Olympics, are still without a point after defeats
to top teams Russia (37-16) and Montenegro (31-19). Again they are the big
underdogs against the Pan American champions.
Brazil
have a perfect record after beating Croatia (24-23) and Montenegro (27-25). If
they, as expected, beat Great Britain and Montenegro take at least one point
against Angola, Brazil would qualify for the quarterfinals.
Spain
v Denmark
After
their 31-27 defeat against Korea, Spain let France snatch victory by conceding
the equaliser five seconds from time (18-18). By beating Denmark, Spain
would pass their opponent in the ranking and edge towards the next
stage.
Denmark
beat Sweden 21-18 before they lost 25-24 against Korea. A victory against Spain
would bring the three-time Olympic champions much closer to the quarterfinals.
Spain won
their last encounter 24-18 against Denmark in the bronze final of the 2011
world championship, bringing them their first medal at a world
championship.
Russia
v Croatia
Like
Korea and Brazil, Russia can book their quarterfinal ticket on Wednesday.
They are clear after two victories against Great Britain (37-16) and Angola
(30-27). If they beat Croatia and Angola and Great Britain do not win
their matches on Wednesday, Russia go through.
Croatia
beat Angola 28-23 after they lost their opener 24-23 against Brazil.
Beating the four-time world champions would be a big surprise.