The U18 representative of Kosovo in handball has qualified for the World Championship that will be held in China in August. In the decisive match for qualification, Kosovo defeated Nigeria with a score of 22:16.
The handball players of Kosovo and Nigeria faced each other on Sunday morning in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in the final of the IHF Intercontinental Trophy. The match was a real battle. There were many strong physical duels, but the Kosovar handball players showed more in decisive moments and secured the title of champion as well as qualification to the World Championship. According to the FHK, this is a historic success.
In fact, from team sports, only the U21 representative of Kosovo in handball has qualified for the World Championship so far. The junior handball players have appeared in the World Championship held in Spain in 2019, while they qualified through the IHF Trophy.
The young handball players of Kosovo also achieved this success on Sunday. And now they will compete in the World Cup that will be held in China from August 14 to 25.
The IHF Trophy is an event of the International Handball Federation that aims to develop handball around the world. But he also offered a ticket to the World Cup. In the fall, Kosovo won the IHF Trophy for the European area and thus qualified for the intercontinental stage.
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Kosovo U18 qualifies for the World Championship
In Tashkent, Kosovo U18 first won against Uzbekistan with a score of 27:21 and then against Guatemala with a score of 31:12. In the semi-finals, it passed New Caledonia, which it defeated 27:16, on Saturday.
A very strong match was played against Nigeria in the final. The match started better for Kosovo, but then the Nigerians, who were physically superior, came back into the game. After 30 minutes the score was 10:10. The start of the second half went to the Nigerians, while Kosovo gradually took control to break away at the end and celebrate for a long time.
Diona Dresh was declared player of the match. She scored seven goals from eight attempts. Sara Gjergjaj organized the match and scored five goals from seven attempts. Andra Uglani had four goals, while Orgesa Gola and Arjeta Imeraj scored three. Goalkeeper Alina Shabani contributed with numerous saves, as well as all the other players.
The IHF Trophy was the second and shortest path to the World Cup. Last year's European championships served as regular qualifications. Kosovo was seventh in one of the B division championships, from which only the winner advanced to the World Cup. But through the IHF Trophy, Kosovar handball will once again write history by appearing in the World Championship.
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The young handball players of Kosovo in the competition with the top-representatives in the World Cup in China
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