Europe wins half the medals at stake at World Beach Handball Championship

The Brazilian men's and women's national teams dominated the World Beach Handball Championships in Recife, but Europe's participants still got their fair share of the medals.

In the men's final Croatia already had one hand at the gold medal as the game against the hosts stood at 1:1 (23:20; 20:26) after two sets had been played. But Brazil clearly had the better nerves in the shoot-out which they won 5:2.

A loss in the shoot-out was also what prevented Denmark from taking bronze. They lost the match for third place 1:2 (12:13, 21:20, 6:8) against Qatar.

In the women's event Brazil had no problems holding European champions Hungary at bay as they took a 2:0 win (20:14, 12:10) in the final.

The bronze medal match was an all-European affair with Norway beating Ukraine 2:1 (22:9, 11:13, 8:6).

All-star teams awarded

Europe's players then made up for the majority of All-star team nominations

Men's All-star team

Goalkeeper: Igor Totic (CRO)

Right wing: Nailson Amaral (BRA)

Left wing: Juan Vasquez Diz (ESP)

Line player: Gil Pires (BRA)

Specialist: Martin Andersen (DEN)

Defender: Ahmed Morgan (QAT)

Top scorer: Juan Vasquez Diz (ESP)

MVP: Martin Andersen (DEN)

Fair play award: Spain

Women's All-star team:

Goalkeeper: Agnes Gyori (HUN)

Right wing: Olga Lajuk (UKR)

Left wing: Catherine Kornvald (NOR)

Line player: Renata Santiago (BRA)

Specialist: Maj Thornoe Johansen (DEN)

Defender: Anika Niederwieser (ITA)

Top scorer: Catherine Kornvald (NOR)

MVP: Camila Souza (BRA)

Fair play award: Hungary