Philippines, Vietnam fight for Asian glory

MANILA, Philippines — The fight for Asian supremacy in the 2026 Women’s Beach Handball World Championship is coming down to the Philippines-Vietnam showdown at the close of the six-day meet in Zagreb, Croatia today.

It’s the de facto Asian final as the Philippine handballers, dubbed the Amigas, and their Vietnamese counterparts slug it out for 11th place in the conclave among the giants of the sport widely considered the second most popular team sport in Europe after football.

“We win it, and we’ll emerge the best Asian team,” said Philippine Handball Federation president Ernesto Jay Adalem.

Last time in Pingtan Island, China, the Vietnamese finished ninth overall and the best from the region, with the Amigas winding up 12th and the host Chinese at 14th.