Korean women's handball falls 27-21 to Sweden, endangering quarterfinals shot

Korea remain in fifth place on the six-team table in Group A as of press time Thursday. Failing to win the final group stage game against Denmark could result in crashing out of the tournament.

Korean handball player Shin Eun-joo shoots during a Paris Olympic handball game against Sweden at South Paris Arena 6 in Paris on Thursday. [YONHAP]

The Korean women’s handball team lost 27-21 to Sweden in Group A at the Paris Olympics on Thursday, diminishing their chances for reaching the quarterfinals with one group stage game left to go.

Korea suffered a third straight group stage loss at South Paris Arena 6 in Paris after failing to overcome a strong performance by Sweden.

Korea’s defense was a clear problem again in the early minutes. The defenders lacked a powerful presence when defending counterattacks and allowed Sweden to score multiple goals from a mid-range.

Sweden was not only able to exploit Korea’s defense vulnerabilities, but they also found cracks when Korean defenders positioned well.

Korea put a few goals back thanks to Kang Kyung-min and Ryu Eun-hee who capitalized on defense errors by Sweden, but the country never took a lead throughout the first half, ending it 16-11.

The second half saw an improved performance by Korea, making fewer errors in defense and capitalizing counterattacks more effectively to narrow the gap to make it 20-18 in the 47th minute.

But Sweden denied Korea a comeback, stretching the gap again to seal a 27-21 victory.

Korea remain in fifth place on the six-team table in Group A as of press time Thursday. Failing to win the final group stage game against Denmark could result in crashing out of the tournament.

Korea, Germany and Slovenia are all tied on points at two. In handball, each win is worth two points, while a draw is worth one point and a loss earns zero points.

Failing to reach the quarterfinals will mean no medal in team sports for Korea at the Paris Olympics, as the women’s handball team this year is the sole Korean representative in team sports.

All other teams like football and volleyball failed to qualify for the Games. Korea face Denmark on Saturday.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]