Gold medalists team Germany pose during the awarding ceremony for the Beach Handball Men's Final at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

CHENGDU, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- Germany and Argentina secured the men's and women's beach handball titles respectively at The World Games 2025 on Tuesday.

Germany overcame Portugal 8-6 in a penalty shootout to claim gold in the men's event. Portugal won the first period 21-18, but Germany bounced back, winning the second period 19-18, tying the match 1-1 to force the decisive shootout.

"It's incredible. The whole team delivered an outstanding performance. I'm very proud," said German player Jannis Herr, who praised goalkeeper Moritz Ebert for making the match-winning save in the final shootout round. "We have the best goalkeeper. He helped us massively."

The Argentina women's team triumphed in a shootout 7-2 against Germany, staging a comeback after dropping the first period 20-14. In the second period, Argentina took a 22-12 lead, forcing penalties before sealing the victory.

In earlier bronze medal matches, Brazil defeated Spain 2-1 in the men's competition, while the Spanish women's team beat Denmark 2-0 for third place.

Host nation China finished eighth in the men's tournament without a win, while the women's team placed sixth after losing 2-0 to Portugal in the fifth-place match. ■

Players of Germany celebrate after the Beach Handball Men's Final Match between Portugal and Germany at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Rodrigo Gomes of Portugal competes during the Beach Handball Men's Final Match between Portugal and Germany at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Lennart Liebeck (R) of Germany competes during the Beach Handball Men's Final Match between Portugal and Germany at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Freja Hansen (front) of Denmark competes during the Women's Finals Bronze Medal Match between Spain and Denmark of Beach Handball event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Gold medalists team Argentina (C), silver medalists team Germany (L) and bronze medalists team Spain celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the Women's Beach Handball event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)

Gold medalists team Argentina pose during the awarding ceremony for the Women's Beach Handball event at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Zhenhai)