IKF World Championships 2019: Catalonia v England
Friday, 9 August 2019
At the IKF World Korfball Championships 2015 England played in the bronze medal match, while four years previously Catalonia made it to the equivalent point. For these two therefore to meet for ninth place was not in the script for either.
Both put their disappointment behind them in a lively start to the game, which England had the best of. Particularly good goals by Blake Palfreyman and Neala Brennan featured in the first period and with a quarter of the game gone, England had the lead 4-7.
In the second quarter Catalonia made a mini recovery, though between the 15th and the 20th minutes, defence dominated and neither team scored. Half time: 7-8.
Catalonia rediscovered their scoring touch at the start of the second half and took the lead for the first time, which clicked England back into gear as well, and the lead changed hands through the third quarter.
Goals for Alba Rosa and Shannon Jones caught the eye, then an excellent goal by Heather Ikwuemesi looked to have established the lead for England with just a few seconds remaining in the quarter, though an equally sharp move by Jessica Godinez drew a penalty and with 10 minutes remaining the score was 14–14.
A sizzling running and shot by Jones put England in the lead by one, then Charlie Vogwill doubled the advantage with three minutes remaining. Playing in his final international Davesh Patel then scored an excellent shot from six metres, which sealed the game for England.
Patel left the game shortly after to generous applause, then Olga Gandia also took the flowers to retire from international korfball herself, with similar acknowledgement.
England took ninth place, which could be important if one of the World Games 2021 Birmingham, USA qualifiers withdraws. Final score: 15-19.