In the latest update for American Samoa Handball Under-19 Boys and Girls teams competing this week in Wellington, New Zealand for the International Handball Federation (IHF) Continental trophy, the girls team received their first win yesterday, but according to the American Samoa Handball Association (ASHA) president Carl Sagapolutele Floor, it was a victory that he wished they had earned.

“The girls received their first victory, even though it was a victory earned through a forfeit,” Floor told Samoa News. Floor has kept in contact with Samoa News this whole week with updates on the teams via email. “Our girls were ready to play Team Samoa, but unfortunately, Samoa pulled their women out of the tournament. It is unfortunate, because I believe we would've done really well,” he said.

With the forfeit win, the American Samoa girls stand at 1 win and 2 losses, while the boys are at 0 wins and 3 losses. Floor stated that the team wanted to say to everyone back in American Samoa that they are having a great time and that they are trying their very best despite playing against much more experienced teams in the game of team handball.

The boys were scheduled to play Samoa, but due the time of the game, Samoa News was not able get the score as of press time.

“Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers while we are far away from home,” said Floor. Keep reading Samoa News for the latest updates on the American Samoa Handball Under-19 Boys and Girls teams as they play for the IHF Continental trophy this week in Wellington, New Zealand. The teams in the girls division are New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Samoa (dropped out) and American Samoa. In the boys it is New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Samoa and American Samoa.