Draw Presents Challenging Preliminary Round for Wheelchair National Team at World Championship
by Matthew Collins
The inaugural United States Wheelchair Handball National Team has learned its group stage path for the upcoming 3rd IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship, slotted into Group A alongside Brazil, Japan, and France.
At the draw held on July 18th at the IHF Head Office, in Basel, Switzerland, the eight teams were broken up into two groups of four.
Group A sees three debuting teams at the World Championship, as France and Japan join the United States in competing at the tournament for the first time. Reigning champions Brazil round out the group.
The American side was destined to face off against Brazil in the preliminary round, as fellow Pot 4 team Chile was ineligible to be placed in the same group as their South American counterpart.
The United States will play in the opening match of the tournament as they take on the Brazilians on September 17th, followed by a doubleheader versus Japan and France the next day.
"The group drawings for the 3rd IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship present a demanding path, but we look forward to the challenge," Head Coach Ford Dyke said. "Competing against the reigning champion, Brazil, in our opening match, drives our focus and preparation."
Egypt, the tournament hosts, was drawn into Group B with Portugal, India, and Chile. All matches will be played at the Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall in Cairo.
All eight teams qualify for the quarterfinals, however, group placement will prove crucial in the United States' quest to progress to the Gold Medal Match.
"We are determined to establish ourselves as a formidable team. We are eagerly anticipating the competition, with our ultimate goal set on bringing home a medal," Team Official Sarah Gascon said.
The group drawings for the 3rd IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship present a demanding path, but we look forward to the challenge