By Reuters Staff
3 Min Read
TOKYO (Reuters) - World champions the Netherlands outclassed South Korea 43-36 in the highest-scoring women’s handball encounter at the Olympics while hosts Japan beat Montenegro 29-26 on Tuesday for their first Games victory in 45 years.
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The previous record goal tally in a single match stood at 75 after Russia edged Norway 38-37 in the Rio semi-finals five years ago and Tuesday’s marquee clash at Tokyo’s Yoyogi National Stadium had all the ingredients to eclipse that mark.
Both teams made fast starts to stay locked 11-11 until the 20th minute, before Dutch goalkeeper Tess Wester produced three vital saves to allow her team to break the rhythm of the double Olympic champions and finish the first half up 19-15.