National champion Beijing eased past Guangdong 44-33 to reach the final at Good Luck Beijing men's Handball Tournament in Beijing on Wednesday.

 

As national champion of 2007, Beijing entered the semifinal with an unbeaten record, but Guangdong is the only team they did not defeat in the preliminary phase. Secured by Zhu Xinchen's 7-meter shot before the whistle, the Beijing side drew with Guangdong 35-35.

 

In today's game Beijing was keen to beat Guangdong to prove their dominance in national level. Captain Feng Ning showed his leadership by netting 14 points and left back Zhu Xinchen also provide 8 goals for Beijing.

 

Leading 19-16 by the interval, the defending national champion continuously broke through Guangdong's leak defence in the second half, sealing their triumph 44-33.

 

Silver medalist of 2007 National Championship Jiangsu, who trounced the People's Liberation Army team 30-18 in the other semifinal, will challenge Beijing in the final on Friday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2008)