Espérance Sportive de Tunis opened the second day of competition at the 2016 IHF Super Globe with a 12-goal win against Handebol Taubaté, thereby earning a place in the 5/6 play-off.

Duhail Sports Hall, Tuesday 6 September

Placement match: Handebol Taubaté (BRA) vs Espérance Sportive de Tunis (TUN) 20:32 (10:18)

ES Tunis were immediately the stronger team, opening the match with a 4:0 run through the first five minutes while their Brazilian opponents played offensive defence in an attempt to control the early onslaught of goals. It took almost seven minutes for the Taubaté to score their first goal, and it came courtesy of Cie Andrade, who brought his team into the game and initiated a more equal contest as the clock progressed. 

The early advantage created by the African side haunted Taubaté for the first 20 minutes, as ES Tunis remained in front at 9:4 midway through the half. Their coach Denis Lathoud called his first time-out in the 19th minute when the score stood at 10:6, but it was Taubaté who returned stronger from the pause, closing the gap to 8:10 with goals from Andre Soares and Rafael Lobato. 

The relief was temporary however, and after allowing Taubate that brief comeback, the African side stormed ahead with an 8:2 run through the last 10 minutes of the half – including three consecutive goals from Hamdi Aissa. By the time the clock showed 25 minutes the Tunisian team were well in front at 15:8, and at the break they had created a significant difference of eight.

The eight-goal distance would prove too much for Taubaté to come back from, and with 15 minutes left ES Tunis remained in front by 10 goals despite some great saves from Brazil keeper Maik Santos. Taubaté fought to the final whistle but could simply not decrease the deficit, and at the buzzer the ES Tunis left the court with their first victory of the 2016 IHF Super Globe.