China finished second in the Asian Women's Handball Championship after losing the final 27-26 to South Korea, the 2004 Athens Olympics silver medallists.
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The team started well, taking a 4-1 lead in the opening minutes but the Koreans launched a series of fierce attacks to level the score to 14-12 by half-time.

China rallied to gain a 19-all tie in the second half but couldn't hold out against attack-oriented South Korea, who just secured their gold with a 27-26 win.

Japan thrashed Kazakhstan 41-22 in the third place match for the bronze medal.

All four teams will qualify for the 2007 World Women's Handball Championships in Paris.
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(CRI July 6, 2006)