Women’s Handball World Championship:
Senegal setback sends Iran into President’s Cup
Iran suffered a third successive defeat at the IHF Women’s Handball World Championship in Germany and the Netherlands, falling 30-21 to Senegal in Group B of the preliminary round.
The result saw Senegal join Hungary and Switzerland in the main-round phase, while Iran will continue in President’s Cup Group I, which also features Croatia, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
Senegal showed determination from the first whistle to secure a main-round spot, opening with a 4-0 run and holding Iran scoreless for six minutes.
However, the momentum shifted as the midpoint of the first half approached. Senegal began making mistakes and rushing its attacks, while Iran stepped up its game. The contest remained tight for almost 20 minutes, but when Senegal pushed ahead to 13-8, it seemed the African side would close the half comfortably.
Iran had other plans. The team found a way through Senegal’s 6-0 defense, repeatedly reaching right wing Haniyeh Karimi, who led the charge in the first half. From trailing 12-16, Iran produced a 3-1 run to cut the deficit to 15-17 at halftime.
Senegal entered the second half with a change in goal, as Justicia Toubissa Elbeco finally came on and immediately made an impact, saving four early shots and giving her side the platform to pull clear. Senegal first built a five-goal lead and then extended it in the 43rd minute, when Dounia Abdourahim scored for 23-17.
Iran showed fighting spirit and pushed for more, but it was clear the team lacked fresh energy—especially when trying to break through a Senegalese defense that grew more aggressive as the game went on. From that point, things steadily slipped away. By the 50th minute, Senegal held a double-digit advantage at 28-18 and had effectively secured the win.
Goalkeeper Justicia Toubissa Elbeco stood tall, finishing with a 57% save rate, while 12 of Senegal’s 16 players scored at least once. Karimi remained Iran’s top scorer with six goals.
Iran will resume play against Croatia on Thursday.