Hosts Greenland won the 2023 NACHC Women’s Handball Championship defeating runners-up Canada in a low scoring, 17-15 contest that saw outstanding defense and goalkeeping from both sides.
Greenland’s Josefine Gadgaard put Greenland on the board with a goal from the left wing in the opening seconds of the contest, but that quick goal would prove to be an exception for the match as both teams struggled to find their rhythm. Canada was held scoreless until Laurie Lacasse found the net to make the score 2:1 in the 8th minute. Goals would continue to be at a premium with the score still knotted at 2:2 midway through the first half. The rest of the half saw scoring pick up a bit and following a penalty shot goal from Gadgaard, halftime ended with a 9:6 lead for Greenland
In the 2nd half, Canada got of to a blistering start with a 5-1 run to take the lead 11:10, just 7 minutes in. Following a timeout, Greenland settled down and the sides traded goals for the next 9 minutes. At 46:20, a fast break goal by Lacasse put Canada up 15:14. This was immediately followed by a wing shot goal from Greenland’s Andrea Heilmann to tie it back up again at 15:15.
From that point on, however, the match turned back into a defensive slugfest with both goalkeepers, Canada’s Vassilia Gagnon (the tournament’s all star GK) and Greenland’s Rina Moller Lorentzen making several big saves. In fact, for the next 12 minutes there would only be 1 more goal scored, by Gadgaard to give Greenland a 16:15 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the match. Canada had their chances, but simply could not get a goal. Going in to the final minute they still trailed by 1, but when tournament MVP, Ivalu Bjerge made it 17:15 with 19 seconds left the match was sealed.
Greenland was led in scoring by Bjerge with 7, while Gadgaard added 6. Emily Routhier had 5 goals for Canada and Laurie Lacasse add 4. As the tournament champion Greenland will represent the NACHC at the IHF Women’s Handball World Championships this December in Denmark, Norway and Sweden
In the third place match, Mexico beat Cuba 29-27 to take the bronze medal. The tournament’s overall leading scorer, Gemma Burgos, led Mexico with 9 goals and Gleinys Gonzalez scored 8 goals for Cuba.
All Star Team and Awards: Following the conclusion of the gold medal match the following players were recognized:
- Goalkeeper: Vassilia Gagnon (Canada)
- Left Wing: Andrea Heilmann (Greenland)
- Left Back: Myriam Zimmer (Canada)
- Center Back: Najaaja Lyberth (Greenland)
- Right Back: Rosa Armenteros (Cuba)
- Right Wing: Maksi Pallas (Canada)
- Pivot: Arisleidy Herrera (Cuba)
- MVP: Ivalu Bjerge (Greenland)
- Leading Scorer: Gemma Burris (Mexico) (34 goals)
For all the match results, photo galleries, video links, match reports, leading scorers and more check out the Tournament Page: Link
