The 2021 Paranaense Beach Handball Circuit, which was organized by the Paraná Handball League and the Government of Paraná, wrapped up in December, with teams from Paranaguá winning both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
As reigning champions in the state, both teams were also seeded first going into the competition.
Stage One
The first stage of the competition was held in Entre Rios do Oeste, on November 27th and 28th, 2021. A total of 140 athletes competed on 14 teams, eight men’s and six women’s.
In the men’s tournament, Paranaguá finished the stage in first place, after defeating São Miguel, Paranavaí, and Guarapuava on the first day of the competition, Marialva in the semi-finals (2-0), and their frequent state-final opponent, Cascavel (2-0), in the last match of the first stage.
Paranaguá also won the first stage of the women’s tournament, defeating Ubiratã (2-0) in the final match, Cascavel in the semi-final (2-0), and Marialva (2-0) on the first day of the competition. They lost one match during the qualifying round to Entre Rios do Oeste (2-1).
At the end of the first stage the rankings in each category were:
Women’s: (1) Paranaguá, (2) Ubiratã, (3), Cascavel, (4) Entre Rios do Oeste, (5) Marialva, and (6) Capitão.
Men’s: (1) Paranaguá, (2) Cascavel, (3) São Miguel, (4) Marialva, (5) Paranavaí, (6) Guarapuava, (7) Ubiratã, and (8) Capitão.
Stage Two
The second stage of the competition was held in Santa Terezinha de Itaipu on the 4th and 5th of December, 2021.
In the women’s tournament, Paranaguá faced Entre Rios do Oeste in the final, the team to whom they had lost in the qualifying round. It was an incredibly tight match that went to a shootout after the second set, when it was tied 23 to 23. Paranaguá won 08-07.
In the final match of the men’s tournament, Paranaguá defeated Paranavaí (2-0).
At the end of the 2nd stage, the rankings were:
Women’s: (1) Paranaguá, (2) Entre Rios do Oeste, (3) Ubiratã, (4) Cascavel, and (5) Capitão.
Men’s: (1) Paranaguá, (2) Paranavaí, (3) São Miguel, (4) Cascavel, and (5) Antonina.
Top Players of the Circuit
Mateus Lima, from Capitão, was the tournament’s top scorer, with 123 points.
Dauandra Mariano, from Entre Rios do Oeste, was named the most outstanding athlete of the competition, and William Woguel, from Cascavel, was named the top player of the 2021 season.
