Brazil underlined their position as the queens of women's handball in the Americas with a comprehensive victory over traditional rivals Argentina to clinch their sixth successive gold medal in this event at the
Lima 2019 Pan American Games.
The
USA, with victories in the first two women's
handball competitions contested in this competition —at Indianapolis in 1987 and Mar del Plata eight years later— remain the only team other than Brazil to have stood on the top of the Pan Am podium.
A cat-and-mouse first half saw the scores tied at 12 each at half time, but Brazil eased away from Argentina after the break to win the gold medal with a 30-21 victory in front of a boisterous crowd in the Peruvian capital.
The key was in how the Brazilians tightened up in defense as they doubled their opponents' scoring rate in the second half.
For Argentina the turnaround meant a fourth silver medal behind their neighbors in the last five editions.
"They had difficulty getting a clear shot," said Brazil's Barbara Arenhart after the match, reflecting on that dominant second period.
The Argentines conceded they were outmatched, despite a strong early showing.
"It was a good start but we could not keep up. It was a different level in the second half," said Rico Campigli. "They were better."
The bronze-medal match between the USA and Cuba earlier in the evening was a nail-biter from beginning to end, with a dramatic final 70 seconds of play keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats.
The Cubans pulled ahead 24-22 with a goal from Eyatne Rizo with 67 seconds left on the clock, but the USA responded strongly and a goal by Julia Taylor with 16 seconds left in the game set up a grandstand finish, but it was not to be for the United States.
The USA players were disappointed, but center back Jence Rhoads said the team had accomplished a lot, despite their narrow medal miss.
"This was the first time we have been in the semifinals since 2003, and for us to make it into the top four... it is a huge accomplishment but it stings right now," she expressed.
"Maybe in a few days and a few weeks we will look back and realize it was a huge accomplishment."
(END) NDP/ISG/RMB
Published: 7/31/2019