Faroe Islands and Paraguay faced off in the final match of the group stage. After winning their first ever match two days ago, the Faroes made history once again by defeating Paraguay 36–25 and securing a spot in the main round.
History made
With a population of just over fifty thousand people, the Faroe Islands continue to make their mark on the biggest handball stage. After winning the country’s first ever World Championship game, the Faroes followed up by securing a spot in the main round. With two wins in the group stage, they will take two points with them, and the feeling is that they will not just be participants in the next round.
Jana Mittun
The centre back has been brilliant in the group stage, with the match against Spain as the standout performance. Just like her younger brother, Oli Mittun, Jana Mittun has the X factor and creativity that not many players possess. The Faroes are not afraid to use the 7–6 attack, and for that to work they need Mittun making the decisions in the middle. The 22-year-old will be key for the rest of the tournament.
Quarter-finals possible?
Looking at the size of the country and the number of handball players, it would be an understatement to say the Faroes are underdogs. But they have made it very clear in the group stage that they are not just here to participate — they are here to compete. Now they take two points into the main round where they will face Germany, Iceland, and Serbia. A quarter-final spot shouldn’t be possible, but with the quality and spirit of the Faroes, I wouldn’t completely rule out another historic milestone being reached.