National handball team gets beaten third time at World Men's Handball Championship 2017

The Belarusian handball team lost for the third time to the Germans at the fourth preliminary round of Group C of the World Men’s Handball Championship in Rouen, France.

The Yury Shevtsov's squad successfully held the first half of the match against German rivals. Initially Belarusians were losing to the European champions, but in the middle of the half they were winning 2 goals - 10:8. Then the Germans took over the lead, and the break saw a draw score - 16:16. The second half was a disaster for the Belarusian team, as in 12 minutes the score was 24:18 for Germany. Belarusians tried to tie the game and slashed the goal difference by 22:25 in the 50th minute thanks to Aliaksei Shynkel's goals and Ivan Matskevich playing in defense. Unfortunately, Belarusians lost to more experienced rivals with a score of 25:31. The Belarus goal score composition: Aliaksei Shynkel, Siarhei Shylovich - 4, Andrei Yurinok - 3, Dzianis Rutenka, Maksim Baranau, Uladzislau Kulesh, Barys Pukhouski - 2, Aliaksandr Pashyvalau, Viachaslau Saldatsenka - 1.

Previously the national team defeated the team of Saudi Arabia (29:26) and lost to Chileans (28:32) and Croats (25:31). On January 20 Belarusians met Hungarians in final game of the tournament’s group stage. Today the team of the Hungary has beaten Saudis (37:24), earlier defeated Chileans (34:29), but lost to Germans (23:28) and Croats (28:31).

Current standings in Group C: Germany - 8 points (4 matches), Croatia - 6 points (3 matches), Hungary - 4 points (4 matches), Belarus – 2 points (4 matches), Chile – 2 points (4 matches), Saudi Arabia – 0 points (4 matches).

Other Groups standings:

А: France - 8 (4), Norway - 6 (4), Russia- 4 (4), Brazil - 4 (4), Poland - 2 (4), Japan - 0 (4);

В: Slovenia - 7 (4), Spain - 6 (3), Macedonia - 4 (3), Iceland - 3 (4), Tunisia - 2 (4), Angola - 0 (4);

D: Denmark - 8 (4), Egypt - 6 (4), Sweden - 4 (3), Qatar - 4 (3), Bahrain - 0 (4), Argentina - 0 (4).

The best four teams from each group are to compete in the 1/8 final.