The South American Games Handball Competition has concluded with host Argentina taking the Gold in both the Men’s and Women’s competitions. In the Women’s competition, Paraguay was the surprise of the competition, taking second and losing by only 1 goal in the final to their Argentine hosts. Paraguay had not even participated in the last two PanAm Championships and only managed 1 win in opening round robin play (including a 35-18 loss to Argentina). They, however, won when it counted, beating Uruguay in the semifinal to secure a direct bid to the PANAM Games in Brazil next summer. In the third place game, which served as qualification for the 2nd chance tournament, Chile surprised Uruguay to win its only match of the tournament. Uruguay, which had taken 3rd place in the past 2 PANAM Championships and was a PANAM representative at the 2005 World Championships will not be going to Rio.
In the Men’s competition, Argentina steamrolled through the competition winning all 5 of their matches by an average of 18 goals. Uruguay took 2nd place and the other direct qualification spot with a 27-22 victory over Chile in the semifinals. Chile blew out Paraguay 43-24 take 3rd place and will be the South American representative at the 2nd chance tournament.
Commentary: Congratulations to the Women's Team from Paraguay. It's great to see a team come from out of nowhere to qualify for the PANAM Games. It's also great that they had a chance to play their way in. These qualification tournaments are a good sign that the PATHF leaderships is learning from past mistakes. i.e. Canada's exclusion from the Men's Championships this past summer: http://teamhandballnews.com/news.php?extend.75
Schedule/Results: http://www.balonmanoargentina.org.ar/compinternac/odesur/principal.htm
Media Reports (in Spanish): http://www.balonmanoargentina.org.ar/compinternac/odesur/notasode.htm
[b]Current PANAM Games qualification status: [/b]
[b]Women[/b]
1) Brazil- Host
2) Cuba- 1st Central America/Caribbean
3) Dominican Republic- 2nd Central America/Caribbean
4) Puerto Rico- 3rd Central America/Caribbean
5) Argentina- 1st South America
6) Paraguay- 2nd South America
7) TBD- 1st North America (Canada vs US Winner)
8 TBD- 2nd Chance Tourney Winner
[b]2nd Chance Tourney Participants[/b]
– Mexico- 4th Central America/Caribbean (Host)
– El Salvador- 5th Central America/Caribbean
– Chile- 3rd South America
– TBD- Canada vs US Loser
[b]Men[/b]
1) Brazil- Host
2) Dominican Republic- 1st Central America/Caribbean
3) Cuba- 2nd Central America/Caribbean
4) Mexico- 3rd Central America/Caribbean
5) Argentina- 1st South America
6) Uruguay- 2nd South America
7) TBD- 1st North America (Canada vs US Winner)
8 TBD- 2nd Chance Tourney Winner
[b]2nd Chance Tourney Participants[/b]
– Puerto Rico- 4th Central America/Caribbean (Host)
– Honduras- 5th Central America/Caribbean
– Chile- 3rd South America
– TBD- Canada vs US Loser