Quarter-final set-up almost there in U20 WC

Not forgetting tight individual games, the question of which teams will make it to the next round has been fairly easy in the U20 WC. Only one spot remains in the quarter-final before the main round conclusion Tuesday.

France dominated defensively and offered no chance for China. Sweden had an eight goal-lead in the second half but Germany pushed back. In the end, the superb Swedish keeper Stina Littorin secured the win and top two position with a couple of saves in her already impressive performance (47 percent overall).

Iceland struggled with Montenegro in the first half but scored 20 goals after the break to separate the teams thoroughly. Lilja Agutsdottir shone on the left wing as Iceland ran away to 35–27.

Who meets who in the next stage is the main question with many group fans staged for Tuesday. Group IV is the only exception but North Macedonia faces a tough task. 

Not only does the host has to beat Montenegro while Iceland take two points against Portugal. To catch up, North Macedonia has to deal with Portugal’s much better goal difference (+3 versus –12).