Unified Korean handball team suffers 2nd straight loss at world championship
SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Yonhap) -- The unified Korean men's handball team has suffered its second straight defeat at this year's world championship.
Korea fell 34-27 to Russia in a Group A game at the 2019 International Handball Federation (IHF) World Men's Handball Championship at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on Saturday (local time). This was Korea's second defeat at the tournament after dropping its opening game 30-19 against Germany two days ago.
The 26th edition of the world championship is the first international tournament for a joint Korean handball team. South and North Korea agreed to combined their men's handball teams at a meeting of sports administrators on Nov. 2 last year. The unified team of 16 South Koreans and four North Koreans, coached by South Korea's Cho Young-shin, began training together in Berlin on Dec. 22.
Korea is in Group A with Germany (world No. 1), Russia (world No. 4), France (No. 5), Serbia (No. 6) and Brazil (No. 27) at this 24-team tournament co-hosted by Germany and Denmark. South Korea is No. 19, and North Korea isn't ranked.
Against Russia, Korea finished the first half 20-13. The Koreans cut the deficit as close as five during the second half but couldn't get any closer.
South Korea's Park Kwang-soon and Kang Jeon-gu were the highest scorers for the team with four goals each. No North Koreans scored a goal against Russia.
Korea will play its third group stage game against France on Monday (local time).
kdon@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Pelosi to meet Nat'l Assembly speaker amid heightened regional tensions over Taiwan visit
-
BTS could be allowed to perform overseas during military service: defense minister
-
(LEAD) N. Korea slams Pelosi's Taiwan visit, backs China's position
-
U.S. House Speaker Pelosi arrives in S. Korea amid Sino-U.S. tensions over Taiwan
-
(2nd LD) Kim, Pelosi agree to support efforts for denuclearization of N. Korea
-
(2nd LD) Kim, Pelosi agree to support efforts for denuclearization of N. Korea
-
(LEAD) Assembly speaker meets with Pelosi amid heightened Sino-U.S. tensions
-
BTS could be allowed to perform overseas during military service: defense minister
-
(2nd LD) Yoon calls Pelosi's visit to Seoul sign of deterrence against N. Korea
-
Pelosi to meet Nat'l Assembly speaker amid heightened regional tensions over Taiwan visit
-
Education minister expected to resign amid criticism of proposal to lower school entry age
-
Court recognizes death after drinking with boss as workplace accident
-
Whereabouts of 55 Thai tourists on Jeju unknown
-
150 front-line Army commandoes to conduct joint training at U.S. Army's National Training Center
-
S. Korea expresses intent to join preliminary 'Chip 4' meeting