A much abbreviated Div 1 Junior Men’s Championships is currently underway in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Canada and Venezuela are the only participants as Guatemala and the Dominican Republic had to bow out to due travel/visa problems at the las minute. Both Canada and Venezuela will now advance to the Elite Junior Men’s Finals next year where they will join Argentina, Brazil, Greenland, Uruguay, Chile and Mexico. According to our friends at the Mexico Handball Forum the Pan American Finals will also be in Venezuela in April, 2011. The top 3 teams from that championship, along with Argentina will qualify for the Junior World Championship in Argentina in August, 2011.

The Canadians and Venezuelans played a match Tuesday with the Venezuelans winning 25:19 (17:09 at halftime). Top scorers for Venezuela were Ivan Perez (9) and Drubil Silva (6). For Canada Guillaume Gaudet (8) and Cristian Toth (3). Venezuela and Canada will play another match today.

Mexico Handball Forum: http://handball.mforos.com/1179288/9962631-ven-y-can-ascienden-en-juniors-masculino/