Paris (AFP)

Spain and Norway qualified for the final four of the women's World Cup in Japan on Wednesday, while the Netherlands will join Russia in the other semi-final.

In Kumamoto, the heavy fall of Spain against untouchable Russia (36-26) Wednesday has finally been inconsequential. Sweden, who could overtake it on goal difference in the event of a victory, failed a bit later against Montenegro (26-23) in the last match of Group 2.

Raised once on the podium of the Worlds (third in 2009), Spain will face Norway, vice-champion of the world title, three times titled in the competition, and qualified after a match in the air of final.

In the very last Group 1 match, which determined the identity of the two semi-finalists, the Norwegians bowed Germany 32-29.

Cruel for the Germans ... but fair play: a draw would have indeed qualified the two opponents to the detriment of the Netherlands.

The Dutch did the job by easily arranging (40-33) South Korea, last in the pool.

But second in the group, they inherit Russia, seven times title and only team to have won all matches in these Worlds, for a place in the final.

Holder of the title, France was eliminated in the first round and ranks 13th.

© 2019 AFP