Two equal masses travel in opposite directions with equal speeds. They collide in a collision that is between elastic and inelastic. Just after the collision, their velocities are

less in magnitude and opposite in direction to their original velocities

Explanation:

The nature of collisions can be determined by the coefficient of restitution.

Coefficient of restitution is given by

In the case described here the value of is in between 0 and 1.

This means that the kinetic energy after collision is less than the kinetic energy before collision.

If the kinetic energy after collision is less this means that the velocity is not balanced with the velocity before the collision however the direction of the masses are opposite Some amount of energy is dissipated as heat or through other forms of energy.

So, just after the collision, their velocities are less in magnitude and opposite in direction to their original velocities.