Inter-Korean team loses its third game in a row

The unified Korean men’s handball team has dropped its third straight game at the ongoing world championship in Germany.

Korea lost to the two-time defending champion France 34-23 in Group A action at the International Handball Federation (IHF) World Men’s Handball Championship at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on Monday.

Korea only trailed 17-16 at halftime, but France - world No. 5 - outscored Korea 17-7 in the second half.

This is the first international appearance by a joint Korean handball team, men’s or women’s.

Korea lost to Germany - world No. 1 - 30-19 in the opening match last Thursday and then fell to Russia, - world No. 4 - 34-27 on Saturday.

Korea next faced Serbia - world No. 6 - in Berlin at 6 p.m. Tuesday local time, or 2 a.m. Wednesday in Seoul.

Though South Korea is No. 19 in the world, North Korea isn’t ranked. There are 16 South Koreans and four North Koreans on the team, all coached by South Korea’s Cho Young-shin.

At just 19, Kang Tan is the youngest Korean player and led his team with seven goals, followed by Kim Dong-myung, who had six. No North Korean player scored in this game. Nedim Remili led the balanced French attack with seven goals.

Germany and Denmark are co-hosts of the tournament, which wraps up on Jan. 27.

South Korea failed to qualify for the past two world championships in 2015 and 2017, and finished 21st in 2013.

Yonhap