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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PH women's handball eyes better finish in IHF World Championships

PH women's handball eyes better finish in IHF World Championships

Published Jun 2, 2026 02:12 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippine women's beach handball team is leaving no stone unturned in its bid for a stronger showing against the elite squads in the IHF Beach Handball World Championships slated June 23 to 28 in Zagreb, Croatia.
(Philippine Handball Federation, Inc.)
(Philippine Handball Federation, Inc.)
The Philippine women’s beach handball team is leaving no stone unturned in its bid for a stronger showing against the elite squads in the IHF Beach Handball World Championships slated June 23 to 28 in Zagreb, Croatia.
Entering their second appearance in the biennial meet, the Nationals, now armed with experienced players, are looking forward to completing their goal of finally reaching the quarterfinals after falling short in the said round last edition.
“So, but we are confident that we will go to the main round, and then from there, we hope of course, everyone who goes to any competition has the goal of winning,” said head coach Joanna Franquelli during Tuesday’s PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
“So, our goal is to at least qualify for the quarterfinals, hopefully. If not, then our goal is to be the highest ranked team in Asia… So, we hope for the best. We prepared well, and we're just going all out with it,” added Franquelli, a medalist in the women’s basketball and fencing events of the Southeast Asian Games
The country finished second in the group stage but settled for 12th place in the classification round in China two years ago.
Led by Philippine Handball Federation Inc. (PHFI) president Jay Adalem, Franquelli leads the way alongside Jo Ong, Zha Mateo, and Sean Verde.
In the draw held in Croatia last May 2, the Filipina handballers were placed in Group D alongside reigning World Games champion Argentina, Denmark, and qualifier Benin, while reigning back-to-back titlist Germany headlines Group A with the Netherlands, Vietnam, and Uruguay.
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