Philippines stuns Brazil in beach handball

MANILA, Philippines — Team Philippines barely made it past the group play, then created big waves with a 2-1 shocker over three-time champion Brazil Thursday in the main round of the 2026 Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.

The Pinay handballers displayed great resilience and guts, fighting the Brazilians to a draw in regulation play then scoring a 7-6 nail-biter in the shootout.

Up next for Team Phl is Greece then Norway in Group II that also includes Denmark and Argentina. The top four advance to the knockout round, joining the top four from Group I composed of Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Croatia, Uruguay and Puerto Rico.

The Philippines is the lone Asian team left as Vietnam bombed out in the group play.

Coach Joanna Franquelli and her team made the main round as the third best team in Group D behind Denmark and Argentina.

Philippine Handball Federation president Ernesto Jay Adalem hopes the team builds on their upset of Brazil and finds a spot in the knockout round.