Women’s Handball WC “Spoiler Free” Preview (Friday, 13 Dec) (Semifinals and an Olympic Qualification Match)

Dinah Eckerle and Germany must win in order to keep their Olympic hopes alive.
(Photo: www.stregspiller.com)

Friday is a big day with two semifinal matches to be broadcast in the U.S. on a tape delayed basis on the NBC Olympic Channel. Fans, that don’t want to wait, however, can watch the Olympic Channel Web Stream (either live or delayed). All matches, including the placement matches, where Germany is in a must situation for Olympic Qualification are also available on the IHF website, but depending on where you live you may need to use VPN.

Friday, 13 December
All Times Local (CET is -8 hrs / US ET is -14 hrs)
Odds courtesy of Bet365

NBC TV Schedule: Link
How to watch the matches not on NBC: Link

11:30 Serbia (-.5) vs Montenegro 
– IHF Website Video Link (VPN Required for some countries)

This match for 5th place between neighbors has only limited importance as both nations have definitely qualified for one of three separate Olympic Qualification Tournaments. The result of this match will just determine which tournament (#2 or #3) they will be placed in. As of now, it’s pretty uncertain as to which tournament will have a stronger field and present a tougher path to the Olympics meaning there isn’t a whole lot to play for beyond pride.

14:30 Germany (-1) vs Sweden (With commentary from Paul Bray)
– IHF Website Video Link (VPN Required for some countries)
– IHF Match Preview: Link

On Wednesday, both Germany and Sweden were in a position to make the semifinals. However, they both lost so instead of playing for a medal, they are now playing for 7th place. And, Germany, is now playing for Olympic qualification. Sweden, by virtue of their performance at the 2018 European Championships has already earned a slot for Olympic Qualification Tournament (Tourney #2).

However, Sweden also has something to play for as the winner of this match will be placed into Olympic Qualification Tourney #1. And, unlike tourneys #2 and #3 this tourney is highly desirable to be in since it will include only 2 European Teams fighting for the 2 Olympic slots. Nothing against Argentina and Senegal, but they will clearly be a less formidable foe than either Hungary or Romania. Translation: The winner of this match will qualify for the Olympics with at least 95% certainty.

17:30 Netherlands vs Russia (-3.5) (With Commentary from Paul Bray)
– Match airs (delayed) in the U.S on the NBC Olympic Channel at 2:30 PM (US ET)
– Olympic Channel Video Link (No VPN Required in U.S.)
– IHF Website Video Link (VPN Required for some countries)
– Olympic Channel Live Stream: Link
– IHF Match Preview: Link

Russia has been on roll and very impressive so far in this tournament. Really, nobody has threatened them. On Wednesday they demolished Spain 36-26. No team has come closer than 7 goals. The Netherlands has played well, but still has three blemishes on their record. In the preliminary round they lost by 6 to Slovenia (which failed to make the main round end up in 19th place) Then in the Main Round they lost to Germany and Denmark, but still managed to squeak through to the semifinal with 6 points. They will need to step up their game if they are to have any hope of stopping Russia.

20:30 Norway (-3.5) vs Spain (With commentary from Paul Bray)
– Match airs (delayed) in the U.S on the NBC Olympic Channel at 10:00 PM (US ET)
– Olympic Channel Video Link (No VPN Required in U.S.)
– IHF Website  Video Link (VPN Required for some countries)
– Olympic Channel Live Stream: Link
– IHF Match Preview: Link

On paper this match should be more interesting than the first semifinal. Norway has played consistently with only a 30-28 loss to the Netherlands. Consistent, but they haven’t been overpowering teams the way Russia has. Spain has also played well, but the heavy loss to Russia and their collapse vs Sweden (a nine goal lead that ended as a draw) would seem to indicate that they are just one Norwegian run of several unanswered goals from being taken out of the match.