After multiple rounds of group stage competitions, the women’s handball competition at the 1st National Student (Youth) Games has entered its second stage. On August 19, in the first quarter-final match of the second stage, Group A’s top seed, Nanning, faced off against Group B’s fourth-seeded Datong. Nanning emerged victorious with a commanding score of 49.5:16.5, securing their place in the top four of the tournament.
The Nanning team, composed of relatively young players, approached the group stage matches with a learning mindset. Their humble attitude translated into impressive performance, as they achieved a record of 3 wins and 1 loss in the group stage, earning them a spot in the second stage. In the quarter-final match, Nanning launched a fierce offensive from the beginning, executing their tactics effectively on both the defensive and offensive ends. They steadily extended their lead throughout the game, ultimately finishing with a 33-point advantage.
In this game, Nanning’s strength allowed them to rotate multiple players, with a total of 13 players contributing to the team’s score. Player number 9, Meng Fangfang, delivered an outstanding performance with the highest score of 10 points and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Following the match, Meng Fangfang attributed her excellent performance to the assistance of her teammates. She stated, “I was able to score so many points because I received great assists from my teammates. What I did well was observing the opponent’s goalkeeper’s position before taking the shot, which increased my shooting accuracy.” As Nanning progresses to the semifinals, the players remain focused and maintain a learning-oriented attitude. Meng Fangfang expressed, “Our team has a relatively young age group, and our goal is to learn from the senior players. We approach each game with a positive mindset and are ready to give our all.”
Having endured five intense matches, the players’ physical stamina has been gradually depleted. However, they manage to maintain a high level of focus, competing for every point. This dedication brings satisfaction to the Nanning team’s coach, Pang Jiao. She believes that the players displayed their normal level of performance in this game, with each player having opportunities to shine. They dared to drive, attack, and compete fiercely in high-intensity confrontations, which contributed to their mental and technical improvement. Looking ahead to the semifinals, Pang Jiao commented, “After experiencing so many matches, the players have expended a lot of energy. We will focus on post-match recovery for them, hoping for better performances in the final two crucial battles.”