Thursday, october 26nd, 2023.- In the most closely contested match of the female's handball competition so far, Uruguay defeated Paraguay 23-22 at the Gimansio Polideportivo in Viña del Mar, in a game belonging to Group B.

Despite the victory, the Uruguayan team didn't qualify for the semifinals, while the Paraguayan team still has a chance, but it depends on the outcome of the match between Brazil and Cuba.

Both South American teams finished the preliminary phase with one win and two losses each, but the latter ended up at the bottom of the table due to their inferior goal difference.

Paraguay's chance to reach the semifinals depends on Brazil, who has already qualified, defeating Cuba by more than a seven-goal margin in the last group match scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Logic suggests that this could happen given the contrasting results between the Brazilian team, who are Pan American champions, and the Cuban team, who have narrowly beaten Uruguay in this competition but lost to the Paraguayan team.

Today's match was closely contested from start to finish, with Uruguay consistently holding a slight lead. The first half ended 11-9, and in the second half, although Paraguay was always close and even managed to draw level, they couldn't overturn the result and secure a victory that would have virtually guaranteed their qualification.

In the Group A, this afternoon, Argentina will face Canada, and Chile will play against Puerto Rico. The Chilean team is leading the group with two wins in as many matches and has already secured a spot in the semifinals.

Further down the standings are the Chilean and Puerto Rican teams, with one win and one loss each. The Canadian team, on the other hand, has only recorded losses and is already eliminated. Therefore, the second qualifier will emerge from today's match between Puerto Rico and Chile.

Written by Alejandro Pérez y Gonzalo Pérez; translated by Pía Barriga / Photosport
Photo by Sebastian Cisternas/Santiago 2023 / Photosport