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Super Final 2013 (Women): China wins historic first international crown
Russell McKinnon, FINA Press Commission Member
BEIJING, China (June 6) - China beat Russia 8-7 for its first international senior women’s crown on the final day of the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final at the Water Cube in Beijing. China was never headed, but had to fend off a resilient, youthful Russia all the way, en route to its first FINA World League medal and in front of several thousand adoring fans. For Russia it was a second silver to go with gold and bronze from previous editions.
Two Russian coaches steered the teams to the final with former Russian women’s coach Alexander KLEYMENOV at the head of China’s fortunes. New Russian coach Mikhail NAKORYAKOV has tasted gold before, as head coach of the Russian youth team in Siberia in 2009.
In the bronze-medal encounter, Hungary wasted a 5-1 advantage early in the second quarter only to see seven-times champion United States of America take the lead midway through the third period. The experience of the North Americans was too much for Hungary, who went long periods without a goal. It was the first bronze for USA, who has been in the final on no less than eight occasions.
In the fifth-sixth classification, Spain, who only lost one match, the quarterfinal match-up with Russia (11-9), finished with a 10-8 victory over Italy. Roberta BIANCONI was kept scoreless, but still topped the tournament with 20 goals.
In the play-off for seventh and eighth, Australia claimed a second victory over Canada in Beijing, winning 9-8 in a match that it had to come back from 6-7 down early in the final quarter.
Match 21: 12:00, Classification 7-8, AUSTRALIA 9 CANADA 8
Quarters: 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-2
Referees: Massimo SAVARESE (ITA), Kunihiro MAKIHASHI (JPN)
Extra Man: AUS: 7/10. CAN: 1/10
Pens: Nil
Teams:
AUSTRALIA: Lea BARTA, Jayde APPEL (1), Hannah BUCKLING, Holly LINCOLN-SMITH, Isobel BISHOP (1), Bronwen KNOX, Rowena WEBSTER (2), Glencora RALPH, Zoe ARANCINI (2), Ashleigh SOUTHERN (1), Keesja GOFERS (1), Nicola ZAGAME (1), Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Greg McFADDEN.
CANADA: Michele RELTON, Krystina ALOGBO, Katrina MONTON, Emma WRIGHT (2), Monika EGGENS (2), Joelle BEKHAZI, Sophie BARON LA SALLE (1), Dominique PERRAULT (2), Carmen EGGENS (1), Christine ROBINSON, Stephanie VALIN, Marina RADU, Nicola COLTERJOHN. Head Coach: Guy BAKER.
In a rematch of the opening day when Australia won 12-8, Australia held sway again, but by the narrowest margin. The story of the match was in the extra-man statistics where Australia converted seven from 10 chances and Canada only one from 10. Australia’s defence was excellent in this sphere.
Canada opened the scoring through wonder kid Emma WRIGHT from eight metres. Australia then had the scoring prowess with Rowena WEBSTER on extra, Zoe Arancini on extra — nearly six minutes apart — finishing the quarter scoring at 2-1.
Keesja GOFERS scored her first goal of the week when, on extra, she shoveled in a rebound shot from Ashleigh SOUTHERN for 3-1. On the next attack Sophie BARON LA SALLE replied for Canada on extra from the top. Isobel BISHOP sent in a deft lob from deep right for 4-2, closely followed by Monika EGGENS at deep left for 4-3 by halftime.
WEBSTER with a lob from deep left — her 17th goal — and SOUTHERN on extra after a timeout, had Australia comfortably ahead at 6-3 by 3:47. Then the Canadian Pacific rolled into town. Dominique PERRAULT, Carmen EGGENS and PERRAULT again had the match level by the end of the period.
The game became even more interesting with WRIGHT scoring her second to take Canada into the lead for the first time at the start of the fourth period. A quick goal on exclusion saw the ball shift in the air to centre forward Jayde APPEL to score from two metres, her first of the tournament and first senior goal of her career. ARANCINI struck again on extra from her favoured deep left position. Nicola ZAGAME joined the juggernaut Aussie Stingers attack with an extra-man goal from the left side for 9-7. Canada took a timeout but the resulting shot hit the crossbar. Canada’s extra-man chance went skyward just inside the last minute. A one-on-one chance for Australia went begging when the pass to the centre forward who had just gained an exclusion was intercepted by the goalkeeper. Canada hung on to hope with a timeout ploy, and Monika EGGENS scored off a five-metre foul for 9-8. With 15 seconds left, Australia held the ball and the game was won by Australia.
AUS vs CAN - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Greg McFADDEN (AUS) — HEAD COACH
“It was a good way to finish the tournament. I think we improved during the week. We’ve still got a lot of work to do moving forward to Barcelona. We have seven new players in the team and this was all about teaching them to play international water polo.”
Jayde APPEL (AUS) — 19-year-old scored her first international goal
“I gained the kickout and Zoe (ARANCINI) popped me the ball and I scored. It was really exciting and I was very happy. When I first joined the team I was nervous because of so many Olympians but they were welcoming and we are all together now. I don’t feel like the young one.”
Emma WRIGHT (CAN) — 16-year-old in her second FINA Super Final
“I think being able to train with the senior team and grow as a player and also playing with the (Born) ’94 team internationally. We are a really strong team and all members are experienced, great players. We have a new coach and new systems, which we are trying to get used to. We are really excited about going to Barcelona. It will be a really big tournament and we will be right for that.”
Match 22: 13:20, Classification 5-6, SPAIN 10 ITALY 8
Quarters: 2-1, 3-4, 4-2, 1-1
Referees: MENG Anlong (CHN), Alexey KAPRIVIN (RUS)
Extra Man: ESP: 4/7. ITA: 6/18
Pens: ITA: 0/1
Teams:
SPAIN: Laura ESTER, Marta BACH, Anna ESPAR (2), Roser TARRAGO (3), Matilda ORTIZ (2), Jennifer PAREJA (1), Lorena MIRANDA, Pilar PENA, Andrea BLAS (1), Ona MESEGUER, Maica GARCIA (1), Laura LOPEZ, Patricia HERRERA. Head Coach: Miguel OCA.
ITALY: Elena GIGLI, Francesca POMERI, Arianna GARIBOTTI, Federica RADICCHI (1), Elisa QUEIROLO (1), Rosaria AIELLO, Tania DI MARIO, Roberta BIANCONI, Giulia EMMOLO (2), Valeria PALMIERI (1), Aleksandra COTTI (2), Teresa FRASSINETTI (1), Giulia GORLERO. Head Coach: Fabio CONTI.
On day one, Group A
winner
Spain beat Italy 9-8. Today it was 10-8, so little had changed in five days. Italian Roberta BIANCONI, scorer of 20 goals in five matches, was kept scoreless, as was her captain Tania DI MARIO.
Spain started strongly with Anna ESPAR and Matilda ORTIZ scoring inside the first 90 seconds. Nearly four and a half minutes later, Federica RADICCHI shot from the top of the arc for a 2-1 score.
The even nature of the match continued in the second quarter as goals were traded. Roser TARRAGO dropped one in from the top for 3-1, Italy’s Giulia EMMOLO responded with her 12th of the week from deep right on extra. TARRAGO scored her 12th on extra for 4-2. Italy scored a pair with Aleksandra COTTI and Teresa FRASSINETTI, also converting extra for 4-4. Andrea BLAS converted a Spanish extra chance for 5-4 and Valeria PALMIERI backhanded a centre-forward shot for 5-5 at 1:25, the last scoring of the half.
ORTIZ grabbed her second from the top right on the first attack of the third period. Arianna GARIBOTTI had her penalty attempt blocked by Laura ESTER and all of a sudden, Spain was 8-5 ahead with TARRAGO on the drive and captain Jennifer PAREJA scoring from the top. EMMOLO gained her second and 13th for the week on extra. COTTI scored a second, also on extra to peg the score back to 8-7. Anna ESPAR shot and scored her 13th goal for 9-7 with two seconds remaining, but referee MENG said it was a baulk off a free throw. After much consultation, the score was allowed as the ball was in play at the time of the shot, Italy had a shot, but it was blocked by the defence and the quarter time score was 9-7 in Spain’s favour.
The final quarter was all defence and included one double exclusion. Italian captain Tania DI MARIO was without an ear guard. Neither side could breach the defence and Spain’s hopes rested on a timeout at 0:52. The ball was worked around, the excluded player returned and then the ball speared into Maica GARCIA on the far post to score for 10-7 at 0:28. Just as the clock was ticking to the last second, Elisa QUEIROLO let rip from the top for 10-8 as the buzzer sounded. Spain had claimed fifth place.
ESP vs ITA - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Miguel OCA (ESP) — Head Coach
“I was very satisfied the way we played. We played at a good level all week. We only lost one game (quarterfinal). We have to continue the same way, working hard until Barcelona. It was a good tournament. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Anybody can win.”
Roser TARRAGO (ESP) — Three goals
“We played a good tournament and now we are going to the World Championships. Getting fifth place pushes us to work even harder. We have to keep work on our defence. This is the most important thing. The good thing is that we are playing together again after a long time (2012 Olympic Games).”
Match 23: 14:40, Classification 3-4, HUNGARY 9 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 10
Quarters: 4-1, 1-2, 1-5, 3-2
Referees: Maro SAVINOVIC (CRO), Edmundo RODRIGUES (BRA)
Extra Man: HUN: 4/9. USA: 3/7
Pens: Nil
Teams:
HUNGARY: Orsolya KASO, Anna ILLES, Dora ANTAL (2), Ibolya MISKOLCZI (3), Gabriella SZUCS (2), Orsolya TAKACS, Brigitta HORVATH, Rita KESZTHELYI (2), Ildiko TOTH, Barbara BUJKA, Krisztina GARDA, Kata MENCZINGER, Edina GANGL. Head Coach: Andras MERESZ.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Lauren SILVER (2), Melissa SEIDEMANN, Danielle WARDE, Caroline CLARK, Margaret STEFFENS (2), Courtney MATHEWSON (1), Kiley NEUSHAL (1), Jillian KRAUS, Kelly RULON (1), Annika DRIES (2), Kameryn CRAIG (2), Tumuaialii ANAE. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
USA had the luxury of a 10-7 victory over Hungary on day three. That counted for nothing when a bronze medal was up for grabs. With seven crowns and one silver, this was the first bronze medal for USA at World League. Hungary’s sole medal was silver at the inaugural event in Long Beach, USA, in 2004. Hungary raced to a 5-12 lead, but could not contain the aggressive USA who took the lead at 7-6 midway through the third quarter and went on to victory.
Although USA opened the scoring, but Hungary had the run of the game for the rest of the half. Annika DRIES scored at centre forward. International newcomer Ibolya MISKOLCZI scored the first of her three goals on extra and then Gabriella SZUCS from deep right; Rita KESZTHELYI near the top and MISKOLCZI again, sending the ball past the ear of the goalkeeper at 0:27, had the game at 4-1 in Hungary’s favour.
MISKOLCZI scored her third at 6:26 in the second quarter, just squeezing it into the bottom right corner for 5-1. This lethargy by the USA, so typical this week in the early stages of games, led to a spurt that had the score at 5-3 by halftime and a two-goal lead by the final break. The first of the run came from Kylie NEUSHAL on extra, then Kelly RULON into the top right from outside for 5-3.
DRIES smashed in a two-metre goal at 7:40 in the third. SZUCS replied form the top with a rifle shot. Margaret STEFFENS, the MVP at the London Olympic Games, slapped in a rebound, Kameryn CRAIG netted from centre forward, Courtney MATHEWSON found the net from the left side of the pool and then Lauren SILVER threaded the top left at 2:00 for a handsome 8-6 advantage. Hungary called a timeout at 1:11. However, there was no goal for the rest of the period.
STEFFENS threw her second goal at 4:47 in the fourth, after the exclusion period and after a timeout. Dora ANTAL gave hope to Hungary with consecutive goals from deep left, the first on extra and the second just after the player had returned. SILVER damped that enthusiasm with a smart cross-cage shot into the bottom left for 10-8. Hungary drove and KESZTHELYI arrived at the two-metre line early and then took a pass from near halfway to score off the far post for 10-9 at 1:49. Hungary took a timeout at 0:22, however, lost the ball through an offensive and USA held on for victory.
USA vs HUN - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Adam KRIKORIAN (USA) — Head Coach
“It was a good, tough game to play, coming off a disappointing loss. Also there are no days off to recuperate (like World Championships). To be down 5-1 is not good but I was proud of the group to come back.” On the trends of slow starts: “We’ve got to get away from that bad trend. There are a lot of holes and weaknesses. We’ll spend time getting better than what we are now.”
Match 24: 16:00, Classification 1-2, RUSSIA 7 CHINA 8
Quarters: 1-3, 2-1, 2-3, 2-1
Referees: Amber DRURY-PINTO (USA), Jaume TEIXIDO (ESP)
Extra Man: RUS: 3/3. CHN: 1/6
Pens: RUS: 2/2. CHN: 3/3
Teams:
RUSSIA: Anna USTYUKHINA, Diana ANTONOVA, Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA, Elvina KARIMOVA (1), Alexandra ANTONOVA (1), Olga BELOVA (2), Ekaterina LISUNOVA (2), Anna GRINEVA, Anna TIMOFEEVA, Olga BELIAEVA (1), Evgeniya IVANOVA, Ksenia KRIMER, Anna KARNAUKH. Head Coach: Mikhail NAKORYAKOV.
CHINA: YANG Jun, TENG Fei (2), LIU Ping, SUN Yujun, HE Jin, SUN Yating (1), SONG Donglun (1), ZHU Yajing, MEI Xiaohan (3), MA Huanhuan (2), ZHANG Cong, ZHANG Lei (1), WANG Ying. Head Coach: Alexander KLEYMENOV.
MA Huanhuan might have been the hero with three goals, but it was the entire Chinese team, which deserves recognition of a world crown. China dominated as Russia came back time and again and never gave up in a thrilling grand final.
China had a 13-10 advantage over Russia when they clashed on day three. However, the gold-medal final was something else.
It was China’s first gold medal in senior women’s competition and a first World League medal. It goes with 2011 FINA World Championships silver and 2010 FINA World Cup bronze. The set is complete.
Russia was last on the podium in Tenerife 2008 where it won gold, previously winning silver and bronze. It was a game to remember.
It was China who started the scoring surge before a crowd of several thousand people. MA Huanhuan, normally the outside shooter, found herself in Forbidden City territory at centre forward, scoring the opening goal in the first half minute. ZHANG Lei capped a beautiful counter attack when captain SUN Yujun crossed the ball over the two-metre line from right to left for 2-0. Ekaterina LISUNOVA converted a penalty by wrong-siding YANG Jun. MA swam up and converted a penalty for China for 3-1 at 2:42, the only scoring of the quarter.
LISUNOVA netted her second penalty goal and 16th goal for the tournament, a minute before China gained the fourth penalty attempt. TENG Fei made sure of the shot and China was 4-2 up. Olga BELOVA struck home a high shot from the near post on extra man for 4-2 at 1:01 — the halftime score.
Olga BELIAEVA opened the third period on counter to level the game. However, TENG Fei tipped in a short pass on the right post for 5-4; SONG Donglun converted the fifth penalty of the match, and SUN Yating converted extra-man attack for 7-4, a morale-boosting lead. Elvina KARIMOVA scored from a goalmouth scuffle on extra man for 7-5 at 2:55. China then pressured Russia’s goal, hitting the crossbar three times. Try as it might, it couldn’t improve the score before the tournament’s final quarter-time break.
Aleksandra ANTONOVA dragged the game back to one on extra after a timeout and the stadium fell silent. Two minutes later, the crowd erupted as MA lobbed from top left for 8-6 at 4:39. Just inside the four-minute mark — and history awaiting — China called a timeout. The resulting shot was tipped over the line. The ball was lost on the next attack. LISUNOVA was shut down on counter by YANG and was ejected for holding. China could not convert and on the subsequent counter, BELOVA waved and shot for goal at 2:33 and 8-7. China lost the ball at the end of the next possession. Russia was denied a goal on turnover and China’s shot was ineffective. BELOVA had another counter and slammed the ball into the advancing YANG. China had no shot at the other end. Russian captain Ekaterina IVANOVA lobbed and hit the crossbar at 0:33. China gathered the ball and slowly made its way up the field under fierce, tight pressure. Coach KLEYMENOV was urging his team to move forward to avoid the turnover. The final buzzer sounded and Russian head coach Mikhail NAKORYAKOV was calling for a timeout as China started the historic celebrations.
China's team, tasting their first victory at the World League - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Alexander KLEYMENOV (RUS) — China Head Coach
“There were many problems in there today. The Russian women were very strong and defended well and they counter-attacked. There are many jobs for Sasha (KLEYMENOV) as we prepare for Barcelona.”
*****
China holds on for first ever World League gold medal
| Waterpoloworld | | | Thursday 06 June 2013, 10:01 | | | Tim Hartog |
© Henk Swinkels
In a rematch of the opening day matchup between Australia and Canada, the Stingers Thursday won 9-8 to claim a seventh place finish in this year's World League campaign. Story of the game was the extra-man conversion rate as Australia shot 7-for-10 while Canada converted just 1 of 10 opportunities. Rowena Webster and Zoe Arancini each scored a pair for the Aussie Stingers while Emma Wright, Monika Eggens and lefthander Dominique Perrault scored two for Canada. The
win
marked the Stingers second triumph over Canada at the tournament, after two heartbreaking losses to Spain, and nail biting defeats to Italy and Hungary. The battle for fifth place in Beijing, China was yet another matchup of the opening day as Spain finished on top against Italy again. Saturday coach Miguel Oca's team had won 9-8, this time the final score was 10-8. The Spanish women managed to held top shooter Roberta Bianconi and captain Tania di Mario scoreless while walking away to an 8-5 and 9-7 lead in the third quarter. A defensive final term saw Spain holding on for the two-goal victory. USA claimed their first ever World League bronze medal beating Hunary in another close battle: 10-9.
Hungary had the better start leading 4-1 after the opening quarter but saw Team USA rallying back from that point. The game turned around and the World League record winners led 6-8 with eight minutes to go. In the final term they stuck with it and Lolo Silver's second goal of the game for the 10-8 score proved decisive. Rita Kesthelyi responded for Hungary netting one but after timeout with 0.22 to go the Magyars lost possession of the ball as USA held on for victory. Maggie Steffens, Kami Craig and Silver scored two each for USA while Ibolya Miskolczi finished as the game's top scorer with three for Hungary. China concluded the tournament winning their first ever international senior women's trophy holding off Russia 7-8. China was always in front but Russia managed to stay close throughout the match, even after trailing 7-4 in the third quarter. Several thousand home side fans exploded when Huanhuan Ma lobbed the ball in the back of the Russian net for 8-6 with 4.39 to go. Russia only managed to respond two minutes later through Olga Belova who waved and scored with 2.33 remaining and just a single goal difference. Turnovers and lost possessions denied both teams of forcing a decision but even an ultimate lob by Russian captain Ekaterina Ivanova was not to be. She hit the crossbar and China played out the clock, fiercly defended by the Russians as celebrations started in the 2008 Olympics water polo arena.
FINA women's World League 2012-2013
Super Final
Beijing, China
Schedule and results
Saturday, June 1
15.00: Spain vs. Italy 9-8 (2-1, 2-2, 1-3, 4-2)
16.20: Hungary vs. Russia 11-10 (3-2, 4-2, 2-3, 2-3)
17.40: USA vs. China 15-16 (3-5, 2-2, 4-2, 2-2; penalty shootout: 4-5)
19.00: Canada vs. Australia 8-12 (1-3, 3-4, 2-4, 2-1)
Sunday, June 2
15.00: USA vs. Russia 13-9 (5-2, 4-2, 3-1, 1-4)
16.20: Spain vs. Australia 10-9 (2-2, 4-3, 1-3, 3-1)
17.40: Hungary vs. China 14-13 (4-3, 4-4, 1-3, 5-3)
19.00: Canada vs. Italy 17-18 (5-2, 6-6, 2-4, 4-6)
Monday, June 3
15.00: Spain vs. Canada 9-8 (2-1, 4-2, 2-2, 1-3)
16.20: Hungary vs. USA 7-10 (1-2, 0-2, 2-6, 4-0)
17.40: Russia vs. China 10-13 (2-4, 1-3, 4-4, 3-2)
19.00: Italy vs. Australia 12-11 (4-3, 3-1, 4-2, 1-5)
Final standings
Group A
1. USA 3 - 7 pts
2. Hungary 3 - 6
3. China 3 - 5
4. Russia 3 - 0
Group B
1. Spain 3 - 9 pts
2. Italy 3 - 6
3. Australia 3 - 3
4. Canada 3 - 0
Tuesday, June 4 - quarter-finals
15.00: Hungary (2A) vs. Australia (3B) 17-16 (2-6, 6-3, 1-2, 4-2; penalty shootout: 4-3) - 13
16.20: USA (1A) vs. Canada (4B) 6-5 (2-1, 0-0, 2-3, 2-1) - 14
17.40: China (3A) vs. Italy (2B) 11-8 (5-2, 3-2, 1-1, 2-3) - 15
19.00: Russia (4A) vs. Spain (1B) 11-9 (1-2, 3-3, 3-2, 4-2) - 16
Wednesday, June 5 - semi-final round
14.40: Australia (L13) vs. Spain (L16) 13-14 (1-2, 4-3, 2-4, 3-1; penalty shootout: 3-4) - 17
16.00: China (W15) vs. USA (W14) 9-7 (1-0, 3-2, 3-2, 2-3) - 20
17.20: Canada (L14) vs. Italy (L15) 9-13 (3-3, 1-4, 3-4, 2-2) - 18
18.40: Hungary (W13) vs. Russia (W16) 9-12 (2-3, 0-1, 3-5, 4-3) - 19
Thursday, June 6 - ranking matches
7th-8th place ranking
12.00: Australia (L17) vs. Canada (L18) 9-8 (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 3-2)
5th-6th place ranking
13.20: Spain (W17) vs. Italy (W18) 10-8 (2-1, 3-4, 4-2, 1-1)
3rd-4th place ranking
14.40: Hungary (L19) vs. USA (L20) 9-10 (4-1, 1-2, 1-5, 3-2)
1st-2nd place ranking
16.00: Russia (W19) vs. China (W20) 7-8 (1-3, 2-1, 2-3, 2-1)
Previous winners:
2004 (Long Beach, USA): USA
2005 (Kirishi, Russia): Greece
2006 (Cosenza, Italy): USA
2007 (Montreal, Canada): USA
2008 (Santa Cruz, Spain): Russia
2009 (Kirishi, Russia): USA
2010 (La Jolla, USA): USA
2011 (Tianjin, China): USA
2012 (Changshu, China): USA
2013 (Beijing, China): China
Pictured: China's top shooter Huanhuan Ma scored three goals in the final
*****
China, campeona de la Liga Mundial Femenina ( RFEN )
06/06/2013 - La victoria de China ante Rusia (7—8) en la final ha puesto el broche a la Superfinal de la competición, desarrollada durante esta semana en el Cubo de Agua de Pekín. Estados Unidos se ha colgado el bronce tras derrotar a Hungría por 9—10 en la lucha por el 3º y 4º puesto. España ha finalizado en 5º puesto.
China es la nueva detentora del título de la Liga Mundial FINA de Waterpolo tras derrotar a Rusia por 7-8 en la gran final, que ha contado con el arbitraje de Jaume Teixidó. El conjunto oriental suma con ello su primera medalla en esta competición, de la que actuaba como anfitriona por tercera vez consecutiva. El podio de la competición lo ha acabado ocupando Estados Unidos, que cosecha con ello su peor resultado histórico en el torneo, tras colgarse siete oros y una plata sus ocho participaciones precedentes. Las campeonas olímpicas se han impuesto a Hungría por 9-10 en la final de consolación.
Tras quedar apeada por Rusia de la pelea por las medallas, la selección española se ha hecho con el quinto puesto tras imponerse a Italia 10-8, y han cerrado el ranking, por este orden, Australia y Canadá, que han resuelto el duelo por el 7º y 8º puesto con triunfo oceánico por 9-8.
El triunfo de China pone el broche final a una Superfinal de Liga Mundial igualadísima y que presagia un Campeonato Mundial de Barcelona muy interesante. El 80% de los encuentros de la semana se han resuelto con un margen de un solo gol, y tan sólo ha habido dos con un margen de más de tres dianas. El próximo encuentro oficial de todos estos equipos queda fijado para el próximo mes de julio en las piscinas Picornell de Barcelona.
*****
Jaume Teixidó arbitrará la gran final ( RFEN )
05/06/2013 - Jaume Teixidó, árbitro miembro de la delegación desplazada Pekín, acaba de ser designado por la FINA junto a la estadounidense Amber Drury para dirigir mañana la gran final de la Liga Mundial entre China y Rusia. El catalán ya ha dirigido previamente los tres encuentros de Hungría en la fase preliminar, el Estados Unidos—Canadá y ha sido cronometrador de la semifinal de esta mañana entre China y los Estados Unidos. ¡Enhorabuena y suerte, Jaume!
*****
WATERPOLO SUPERFINAL - La selecció 5a de la World League vencent a Itàlia per 10 a 8 (FCN)
La medalla de bronze de la World League se l'ha penjat EEUU que ha guanyat a Hongria per 10 a 9 i l'or és per Xina després de derrotar a Rússia per 8 a 7.
Liga Mundial: España se hace con el 5º puesto ( RFEN )
06/06/2013 - La Selección Femenina ha finalizado Superfinal de la la Liga Mundial en 5º lugar tras vencer a Italia por 10—8. El conjunto de Miki Oca cierra este torneo con buenas sensaciones a nivel de juego y un balance de cinco victorias y una única derrota ante Rusia en los cuartos de final. El conjunto nacional sigue desde ahora la preparación para el Mundial de Barcelona 2013.
El cuadro por el 5º puesto ha vuelto a medir a España a uno de sus rivales de la primera fase, Italia. El conjunto de Miki Oca saltaba al agua con la intensidad que marca esta época preparatoria para Barcelona 2013 y la advertencia de su técnico de ayer: "Tenemos que ser conscientes de que estamos ante las mejores selecciones del mundo, y los encuentros se resuelven en los últimos segundos".
Esta lógica ha imperado en la primera mitad. España ha firmado el 2-0 en sus primeros ataques para quedar, desde entonces, anulada durante seis minutos por errores propios y la defensa italiana. Tras encajar el 2-1, la Selección ha recuperado los dos tantos de margen en los compases iniciales del segundo período. Sin embargo, el cuadro rival ha repuesto el empate con dos tantos en superioridad de Aleksandra Cotti y Teresa Frassinetti. La igualada, en este caso a cinco goles, ha sido el marcador con que se ha llegado al descanso.
El tercer cuarto ha sido determinante en la historia del choque de hoy. Al 6-5 de Mati Ortiz, que ha llegado en el primer ataque español, ha sucedido la entrada en escena de una Laura Ester muy regular durante todo el encuentro. La meta catalana ha detenido un lanzamiento de penalti rival, lanzando poco después el ataque para generar el 7-5 de Roser Tarragó. Con una Italia estrellada sucesivamente con Ester y los palos, Jennifer
En los ocho minutos decisivos, España ha logrado conservar este margen. Aferrada, de nuevo, a una gran defensa y una inspirada Laura Ester, los ataques italianos han ido acumulando opciones sin alcanzar puerta. La sentencia no ha llegado hasta el último minuto, cuando Maica Garcia ha enviado a las mallas el tanto de la tranquilidad española (10-7). Italia no ha tenido tiempo más que para firmar una postrera diana que ponía el 10-8 y cerraba la final por el 5º puesto.
España se despide de la Superfinal de Pekín con la quinta plaza en el bolsillo y un balance de cinco victorias y una sola derrota. El conjunto de Miki Oca regresa mañana a España para proseguir con la preparación para el Campeonato del Mundo de Barcelona
*****
WATERPOLO SUPERFINAL - Les noies jugaran contra Itàlia per la 5a plaça (FCN)
El partit per la cinquena plaça es jugarà demà, dijous 6 de juny a les 7.20 h (hora d'aquí) i enfrontarà a les noies de Miki Oca contra Itàlia que ha vençut a Canadà per 13 a 9. El partit per la 7a plaça serà entre Austràlia i Canadà, ja que Canadà ha perdut contra Itàlia. Els partits per les medalles seran entre Hongria i EEUU el brobze, deprés que Hongria perdés contra Rússia per 12 a 9 i EEUU ha estat derrotada per Xina 9 a 7. La final per l'or serà doncs entre les locals, Xina, contra Rússia.
L'àrbitre català, Jaume Teixidó arbitrarà la final de la Superfinal de la World League.
Super Final 2013 (Women): China-Russia Super Final gold-medal clash
Russell McKinnon, FINA Press Commission Member
BEIJING, China (June 5) - China will play Russia for gold on day 6 of the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final at the Water Cube in Beijing on Thursday. China thrilled a huge crowd with a 9-7 victory over Olympic champion United States of America in the first semifinal and Russia outlasted Hungary 12-9 in the other.
Remarkably, such is the closeness and competitiveness of this tournament that Russia was winless after the three days of group matches and China, despite two victories, only finished third in its group.
The tournament has been a fantastic success and the fact that Olympic medallists Spain (silver) and Australia (bronze) went to a penalty shootout was testament to the fact that women’s water polo at the elite level is closer than anyone could predict.
Spain held Australia at bay for most of the match before the Oceania team drew level and forced a shootout that Spain won comfortably. The fulltime score was 10-10 and China won the shootout 4-3, but had the game in the bag at 14-12 before Australia took the last shot to narrow the final margin to one.
Italy, who lost to China 11-9 the day before, beat Canada 13-9 on a day when one-goal wins were hard to come by, unlike the rest of the week.
China is yet to
USA has never won a bronze, but could add to its excellent record of seven golds and one silver. Hungary has two silver medals.
Match reports:
Match 17: 14:40, 5-8 Semifinal, AUSTRALIA 13 SPAIN 14 in penalty shootout (FT: 10-10. Pens: 3-4)
Quarters: 1-2, 4-3, 2-4, 3-1. Pens: 3-4
Referees: Alexey KAPRIVAN (RUS), Kunihiro MAKIHASHI (JPN)
Extra Man: AUS: 7/12. ESP: 1/6
Pens: AUS: 1/1
Teams:
AUSTRALIA: Lea BARTA, Jayde APPEL, Hannah BUCKLING, Holly LINCOLN-SMITH (1), Isobel BISHOP, Bronwen KNOX (3), Rowena WEBSTER (4), Glencora RALPH (1), Zoe ARANCINI, Ashleigh SOUTHERN (3), Keesja GOFERS, Nicola ZAGAME (1), Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Greg McFADDEN.
SPAIN: Laura ESTER, Marta BACH, Anna ESPAR (3), Roser TARRAGO (3), Matilda ORTIZ, Jennifer PAREJA (1), Lorena MIRANDA, Pilar PENA (3), Andrea BLAS (1), Ona MESEGUER (1), Maica GARCIA (1), Laura LOPEZ (1), Patricia HERRERA. Head Coach: Miguel OCA.
This was the clash of two medallists from last year’s London Olympic Games. Both teams were expected to be at the sharp end but themselves in the 5-8 crossover. Both teams enjoyed the lead and Australia needed a 3-1 final quarter to force the shootout but could not prevail.
Anna ESPAR set the game alight with the two opening goals from the right side of the pool. They were a long time apart and Ashleigh SOUTHERN responded on extra at 1:52.
There was more action in the second quarter as captain Jennifer PAREJA and Maica GARCIA progressed Spain’s advantage to 4-1. It then became the turn of the Olympic bronze-medal team with SOUTHERN adding her second on penalty, Rowena WEBSTER backhanded one from centre forward and SOUTHERN converted extra-man attack. This was by 4:18. Australia took a timeout at 1:26 and captain Bronwen KNOX converted for the lead at 5-4. Roser TARRAGO hen started her dream run with six-metre shot at 0:42 to close the half scoring.
WEBSTER regained the lead for Australia with a shot from the top on extra, but TARRAGO from the left and Pilar PENA on extra had nullified that and Spain was 7-6 ahead. Nicola ZAGAME levelled on extra from the top and TARRAGO scored her third from the left, followed a minute and a half later by PENA from the same position for a 9-7 three-quarter-time advantage.
WEBSTER pulled one back on extra at 5:59 in the fourth quarter. ESPAR collected her third at left-hand catch, sending the ball into the top right for 10-8. KNOX made it 10-9 with a backhand effort from two metres at 1:57. At 1:12, Australia called timeout and on the stroke of 20 seconds WEBSTER backhanded in the goal from two metres for 10-10. Spain used two timeouts in the final 52 seconds but to no avail, sending the game to shootout.
Spain won the toss and sent Ona MESEGUER to the line first. She converted; SOUTHERN’s attempt was blocked; Andrea BLAS scored; KNOX scored; TARRAGO hit the left upright and ZAGAME’s shot was blocked. ESPAR and Holly LINCOLN-SMITH converted for 12-13, meaning Laura LOPEZ needed the goal for victory, which she got. Glencora RALPH scored for Australia to register a 13-14 scoreline, which was Australia’s right.
AUS vs ESP - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Greg McFADDEN (AUS) — Head Coach
“They’re the Olympic silver medallists and we had our opportunities and unfortunately didn’t make the most of them. We definitely played well in patches, the best this team has played. We limited their centre forwards and only had six fouls against us, the first in a long time that we have been at that end of the count. To lose in a penalty shootout against the Olympic silver medallists is not the end of the world. To have to play a shootout is a great experience, mentally.”
Holly LINCOLN-SMITH (AUS) — Centre forward
“There are positives for us with a new team in a new cycle. We learn our weaknesses and strengths. We only have to improve the little things and we could be the best in the world. Not now, but we will get there in time. We are playing solidly against the Olympic silver medallists. Come the World Championships and we make few mistakes, then we will go close.”
Miguel OCA (ESP) — Head Coach
“We played well today. Yesterday we were not so fresh. The games are all being played at a very good level, fighting with the best teams in the world. We are on a good line and as we work this way you can win some and lose some. We have to get used to playing these kinds of games, in general, games that are decided in the last minute.”
Matilda ORTIZ (ESP) — nicknamed ‘The Panther’
“Winning in a penalty shootout was really good, but it means you work hard the whole match. It was important to win as we lost yesterday. The team is playing really well but the best thing we are working as a team in and out of the water. We are playing hard as a team and that is the secret for us.”
Match 18: 17:20, 5-8 Semifinal, ITALY 13 CANADA 9
Quarters: 3-3, 4-1, 4-3, 2-2
Referees: Balasz FEKETE (HUN), Edmundo RODRIGUES (BRA)
Extra Man: ITA: 5/10. CAN: 2/9
Pen: ITA: 1/1
Teams:
ITALY: Elena GIGLI, Francesca POMERI, Arianna GARIBOTTI (2), Federica RADICCHI, Elisa QUEIROLO, Rosaria AIELLO, Tania DI MARIO (2), Roberta BIANCONI (4), Giulia EMMOLO (4), Valeria PALMIERI, Aleksandra COTTI (1), Teresa FRASSINETTI, Giulia GORLERO. Head Coach: Fabio CONTI.
CANADA: Michele RELTON, Krystina ALOGBO (1), Katrina MONTON, Emma WRIGHT (3), Monika EGGENS (1), Joelle BEKHAZI (2), Sophie BARON LA SALLE, Dominique PERRAULT (1), Carmen EGGENS, Christine ROBINSON, Stephanie VALIN, Marina RADU, Nicola COLTERJOHN. Head Coach: Guy BAKER.
Italy moved into the play-off for fifth and sixth with Spain after a dominant showing over Canada. With the like of Giulia EMMOLO and Roberta BIANCONI on fire and a superb performance from goalkeeper Elena GIGLI, Italy looked assured of the win.
Arianna GARIBOTTI started the scoring with a skip shot on the deep left inside the first half minute. Emma WRIGHT and Joelle BEKHAZI, from an identical position on the right, scored the next two. Giulia EMMOLO and Roberta BIANCONI scored the next two goals, giving Italy a 3-2 lead. Dominique PERRAULT scored from deep right at 0:44 to close the first quarter.
Canada went into the lead through 16-year-old WRIGHT, from the same position at PERRAULT had scored. Italy was stung into action and EMMOLO and COTTI on extra from opposite sides of the pool had the match back in Italy’s grasp at 5-4. Captain Tania DI MARIO showed her class with consecutive goals from wide on the right, the first with a lob and the seconds with a skip shot, 13 seconds from time for a 7-4 advantage at the long break.
BEKHAZI used her left arm to good effect scoring the first and third goals of the third period with GARIBOTTI gaining her third for 8-6. Italy then pushed the margin to four as EMMOLO from 8m and BIANCONI from the penalty line produced one of the biggest gaps of the week. Italy went to a unrewarded timeout at 3:12. Monika EGGENS scored from the left side and well out, but BIANCONI sent in an 8m lob at 1:03 to regain the four-goal lead at 11-7.
Canada’s timeout ploy at 5:24 in the fourth yielded a Krystina ALOGBO goal with a close pass on the near-post position. BIANCONI struck again on extra from the top left and at 3:18 WRIGHT converted extra for Canada and 12-9. EMMOLO stunned Canada with a sharp, swift shot early on extra and the match was almost over. Canada called a timeout but their was no further scoring. Italy was through to the fifth-sixth play-off.
CAN vs ITA - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Fabio CONTI (ITA) — Head Coach
“It was a good game, but when you arrive at this part of the tournament and you are playing for fifth to eighth, it is another kind of game. After the first quarter we tried a different motivation and changed our plan. We wanted to play this game like a final, for the future.”
Giulia EMMOLO (ITA) — four goals
“We approached the match quarter by quarter and did not think of the result. It is important for us to do this well and find the solution through our
Krystina ALOGBO (USA) — Captain
“We just wanted to play our own game. We wanted to come out sharp and swim hard and work on different defences, different styles, with different referees. Also one of our goals was to work on power play percentages. We fell away from the game today and played their game instead.” On tomorrow’s clash with Australia for seventh and eighth, she said: “We will approach them like every team. It will be a rematch of the first game (won 12-8 by Australia). It will be an indicator of character, win or lose.”
Match 19: 16:00, 1-4 Semifinal, CHINA 9 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 7
Quarters: 1-0, 3-2, 3-2, 2-3
Referees: Alan BALFANBAYEV (KAZ), Maro SAVINOVIC (CRO)
Extra Man: CHN: 3/10. USA: 2/4
Pens: USA: 0/2
Teams:
CHINA: YANG Jun, TENG Fei, LIU Ping (1), SUN Yujun (1), HE Jin (1), SUN Yating (1), SONG Donglun (2), ZHU Yajing, MEI Xiaohan, MA Huanhuan (2), ZHANG Cong (1), ZHANG Lei, WANG Ying. Head Coach: Alexander KLEYMENOV.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Lauren SILVER (2), Melissa SEIDEMANN, Danielle WARDE, Caroline CLARK, Margaret STEFFENS (1), Courtney MATHEWSON (1), Kiley NEUSHAL, Jillian KRAUS, Kelly RULON, Annika DRIES (2), Kameryn CRAIG (1), Tumuaialii ANAE. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
Nothing prepared USA for this match. China was pumped and went at it from the first whistle, gaining the kudos and a berth in the gold-medal final. To see the Olympic champion restricted to two goals in the first half was a humbling sight.
It took time for the teams to sort each other out and the first quarter was a dour, defensive game. MA Huanhuan scored the only goal of the period form the top on extra.
SONG Donglun started the second period with a beautiful bouncer into the top of the net and two minutes later captain SUN Yujun drove down the right to score for a stunning 3-0. China used its first timeout early to no effect. Kami CRAIG opened USA’s scoring from centre forward with what seemed an easy effort. LIU Ping converted extra from outside five metres and China was 4-1 ahead. Lauren SILVER drew the game closer for USA on extra to close the half’s scoring. Courtney MATHEWSON hit the crossbar on a penalty attempt at 6:46 in the third period. SONG was on song again with an extra-man conversion for 5-2. MATHEWSON made some amends on extra at 4:44 and the SILVER had a penalty attempt, only for the in-form YANG Jun to block. Two penalty misses in three and a half minutes was not a good time for the USA. International newcomer MEI Xiaohan scored her first goal of the week with a rocket from 8m. SILVER faked and shot into top right for 6-4. MA closed the period with an 8m shot with two seconds remaining for a handsome 7-4.
USA came back in the fourth with a vengeance, thanks to two Annika DRIES shots from two metres. The first she turned and bounced the ball and the second she didn’t bother to turn, just backhanding it into the net. Maggie STEFFENS levelled the game for the first time at 7-7 with a shot from the right. ZHANG Cong would have had the live television broadcast viewers excited with a bouncer from the deep left at 4:50. USA used up a timeout for no result at 3:02 and China went 9-7 ahead through HE Jin on extra, accepting a pass from the top on the post position to turn and ram the ball over the line. China went to a timeout after another fantastic YANG save but the lob was late and hit the crossbar. USA used its second timeout at 0:55 with the match slipping away. The idea was to get Kiley NEUSHAL to blast a shot early, which she did but YANG saved, HE had a shot at the far end, USA lost the ball on attack and the game was over with China through to the gold-medal final.
CHN vs USA - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Alexander KLEYMENOV (RUS) — China Head Coach
“We played very strong today. I might be Russian, but my heart is with China. The team listens and now all China is united, together. The team has been up some years and down others, but now it is a very big family.”
Adam KRIKORIAN (USA) — Head Coach
On the slow start: “The last three or four games that has been the story for us. We are having trouble from the perimeter shooting the ball. We’re tired. China played great. For some of our team it’s the first matches since the Olympic Games. We have a long way to go, but I am proud of the way we battled back. It was a tough game and we missed two penalties. China is good. Full of
Match 20: 18:40, 1-4 Semifinal, HUNGARY 9 RUSSIA 12
Quarters: 2-3, 0-1, 3-5, 4-3
Referees: Marie-Claude DESLIERES (CAN), Andrew CARNEY (AUS)
Extra Man: HUN: 2/6. RUS: 7/9
Pens: HUN: 0/1. RUS: 2/2
Teams:
HUNGARY: Orsolya KASO, Anna ILLES (2), Dora ANTAL (1), Ibolya MISKOLCZI (1), Gabriella SZUCS, Orsolya TAKACS (2), Brigitta HORVATH, Rita KESZTHELYI (1), Ildiko TOTH, Barbara BUJKA, Krisztina GARDA, Kata MENCZINGER (2), Edina GANGL. Head Coach: Andras MERESZ.
RUSSIA: Anna USTYUKHINA, Diana ANTONOVA, Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (1), Elvina KARIMOVA (2), Alexandra ANTONOVA (2), Olga BELOVA (1), Ekaterina LISUNOVA (3), Anna GRINEVA (1), Anna TIMOFEEVA (1), Olga BELIAEVA (1), Evgeniya IVANOVA, Ksenia KRIMER, Anna KARNAUKH. Head Coach: Mikhail NAKORYAKOV.
It was a battle for the best in Europe and Russia did not disappoint with what turned out to be a dour match at stages.
Hungary opened through Dora ANTAL at 5:59 in what was a level quarter. Ekaterina LISUNOVA made it 1-1 on extra. Hungary had an excellent chance on penalty, but Ibolya MISKOLCZI sent the ball into the goalkeeper. LISUNOVA scored her second, again on extra. Kata MENCZINGER netted from the deep left for 2-2 at 1:00. Elvina KARIMOVA broke the deadlock at 0:27 on extra for the quarter-time advantage.
It took a while before a breakthrough in the second quarter with Russia using a timeout, only to score a second after the exclusion time through KARIMOVA at the four-metre line. Russia stretched the margin when Anna TIMOFEEVA drilled a shot from nine metres, gaining a slight deflection en route and catching out the goalkeeper for 5-2. Rita KESZTHELYI responded from eight metres with just three seconds left on the halftime clock.
The margin stretched to four when Olga BELOVA and Anna GRINEVA both scored. Anna ILLES made it 7-4 from deep left, then Alexandra ANTONOVA and LISUNOVA on penalty took the margin to five goals. A Hungarian timeout was unrewarded. Olga BELIAEVA scored off the left-post position on extra for 10-4. Hungary was not down and out. Three successive goals gave hope with MISKOLCZI (7m lob) and Kata MENCZINGER (extra) closing the third period at 10-6. Captain Orsolya TAKACS scored off the under side of the crossbar form six metres at 7:10 in the fourth quarter. Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA took a foul 10m out and swiftly sent the ball skimming across the top of the water into goal for 11-7. A Russian timeout did nothing to the scoreboard. ILLES scored her second from the deep left on extra for 11-8 at 3:21. The game was safe when Russia earned a penalty shot, which Alexandra ANTONOVA converted at 3:03 for 12-8. TAKACS completed the scoring from the top in the last 11 seconds for 12-9, not enough to make the gold-medal final.
HUN vs RUS - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — Head Coach
“That game was between two very tired teams with a lot of physicality. I am empty right now. Tomorrow, I think, there are two (important) games and always the bronze-medal match is harder. I hope I can power my team to victory.”
Remarkably, such is the closeness and competitiveness of this tournament that Russia was winless after the three days of group matches and China, despite two victories, only finished third in its group.
The tournament has been a fantastic success and the fact that Olympic medallists Spain (silver) and Australia (bronze) went to a penalty shootout was testament to the fact that women’s water polo at the elite level is closer than anyone could predict.
Spain held Australia at bay for most of the match before the Oceania team drew level and forced a shootout that Spain won comfortably. The fulltime score was 10-10 and China won the shootout 4-3, but had the game in the bag at 14-12 before Australia took the last shot to narrow the final margin to one.
Italy, who lost to China 11-9 the day before, beat Canada 13-9 on a day when one-goal wins were hard to come by, unlike the rest of the week.
China is yet to
win
a medal of any colour in the World League while Russia has a complete set. China’s best performance was silver at the 2011 FINA World Championships.USA has never won a bronze, but could add to its excellent record of seven golds and one silver. Hungary has two silver medals.
Match reports:
Match 17: 14:40, 5-8 Semifinal, AUSTRALIA 13 SPAIN 14 in penalty shootout (FT: 10-10. Pens: 3-4)
Quarters: 1-2, 4-3, 2-4, 3-1. Pens: 3-4
Referees: Alexey KAPRIVAN (RUS), Kunihiro MAKIHASHI (JPN)
Extra Man: AUS: 7/12. ESP: 1/6
Pens: AUS: 1/1
Teams:
AUSTRALIA: Lea BARTA, Jayde APPEL, Hannah BUCKLING, Holly LINCOLN-SMITH (1), Isobel BISHOP, Bronwen KNOX (3), Rowena WEBSTER (4), Glencora RALPH (1), Zoe ARANCINI, Ashleigh SOUTHERN (3), Keesja GOFERS, Nicola ZAGAME (1), Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Greg McFADDEN.
SPAIN: Laura ESTER, Marta BACH, Anna ESPAR (3), Roser TARRAGO (3), Matilda ORTIZ, Jennifer PAREJA (1), Lorena MIRANDA, Pilar PENA (3), Andrea BLAS (1), Ona MESEGUER (1), Maica GARCIA (1), Laura LOPEZ (1), Patricia HERRERA. Head Coach: Miguel OCA.
This was the clash of two medallists from last year’s London Olympic Games. Both teams were expected to be at the sharp end but themselves in the 5-8 crossover. Both teams enjoyed the lead and Australia needed a 3-1 final quarter to force the shootout but could not prevail.
Anna ESPAR set the game alight with the two opening goals from the right side of the pool. They were a long time apart and Ashleigh SOUTHERN responded on extra at 1:52.
There was more action in the second quarter as captain Jennifer PAREJA and Maica GARCIA progressed Spain’s advantage to 4-1. It then became the turn of the Olympic bronze-medal team with SOUTHERN adding her second on penalty, Rowena WEBSTER backhanded one from centre forward and SOUTHERN converted extra-man attack. This was by 4:18. Australia took a timeout at 1:26 and captain Bronwen KNOX converted for the lead at 5-4. Roser TARRAGO hen started her dream run with six-metre shot at 0:42 to close the half scoring.
WEBSTER regained the lead for Australia with a shot from the top on extra, but TARRAGO from the left and Pilar PENA on extra had nullified that and Spain was 7-6 ahead. Nicola ZAGAME levelled on extra from the top and TARRAGO scored her third from the left, followed a minute and a half later by PENA from the same position for a 9-7 three-quarter-time advantage.
WEBSTER pulled one back on extra at 5:59 in the fourth quarter. ESPAR collected her third at left-hand catch, sending the ball into the top right for 10-8. KNOX made it 10-9 with a backhand effort from two metres at 1:57. At 1:12, Australia called timeout and on the stroke of 20 seconds WEBSTER backhanded in the goal from two metres for 10-10. Spain used two timeouts in the final 52 seconds but to no avail, sending the game to shootout.
Spain won the toss and sent Ona MESEGUER to the line first. She converted; SOUTHERN’s attempt was blocked; Andrea BLAS scored; KNOX scored; TARRAGO hit the left upright and ZAGAME’s shot was blocked. ESPAR and Holly LINCOLN-SMITH converted for 12-13, meaning Laura LOPEZ needed the goal for victory, which she got. Glencora RALPH scored for Australia to register a 13-14 scoreline, which was Australia’s right.
AUS vs ESP - credit: Russell McKinnon
Greg McFADDEN (AUS) — Head Coach
“They’re the Olympic silver medallists and we had our opportunities and unfortunately didn’t make the most of them. We definitely played well in patches, the best this team has played. We limited their centre forwards and only had six fouls against us, the first in a long time that we have been at that end of the count. To lose in a penalty shootout against the Olympic silver medallists is not the end of the world. To have to play a shootout is a great experience, mentally.”
Holly LINCOLN-SMITH (AUS) — Centre forward
“There are positives for us with a new team in a new cycle. We learn our weaknesses and strengths. We only have to improve the little things and we could be the best in the world. Not now, but we will get there in time. We are playing solidly against the Olympic silver medallists. Come the World Championships and we make few mistakes, then we will go close.”
Miguel OCA (ESP) — Head Coach
“We played well today. Yesterday we were not so fresh. The games are all being played at a very good level, fighting with the best teams in the world. We are on a good line and as we work this way you can win some and lose some. We have to get used to playing these kinds of games, in general, games that are decided in the last minute.”
Matilda ORTIZ (ESP) — nicknamed ‘The Panther’
“Winning in a penalty shootout was really good, but it means you work hard the whole match. It was important to win as we lost yesterday. The team is playing really well but the best thing we are working as a team in and out of the water. We are playing hard as a team and that is the secret for us.”
Match 18: 17:20, 5-8 Semifinal, ITALY 13 CANADA 9
Quarters: 3-3, 4-1, 4-3, 2-2
Referees: Balasz FEKETE (HUN), Edmundo RODRIGUES (BRA)
Extra Man: ITA: 5/10. CAN: 2/9
Pen: ITA: 1/1
Teams:
ITALY: Elena GIGLI, Francesca POMERI, Arianna GARIBOTTI (2), Federica RADICCHI, Elisa QUEIROLO, Rosaria AIELLO, Tania DI MARIO (2), Roberta BIANCONI (4), Giulia EMMOLO (4), Valeria PALMIERI, Aleksandra COTTI (1), Teresa FRASSINETTI, Giulia GORLERO. Head Coach: Fabio CONTI.
CANADA: Michele RELTON, Krystina ALOGBO (1), Katrina MONTON, Emma WRIGHT (3), Monika EGGENS (1), Joelle BEKHAZI (2), Sophie BARON LA SALLE, Dominique PERRAULT (1), Carmen EGGENS, Christine ROBINSON, Stephanie VALIN, Marina RADU, Nicola COLTERJOHN. Head Coach: Guy BAKER.
Italy moved into the play-off for fifth and sixth with Spain after a dominant showing over Canada. With the like of Giulia EMMOLO and Roberta BIANCONI on fire and a superb performance from goalkeeper Elena GIGLI, Italy looked assured of the win.
Arianna GARIBOTTI started the scoring with a skip shot on the deep left inside the first half minute. Emma WRIGHT and Joelle BEKHAZI, from an identical position on the right, scored the next two. Giulia EMMOLO and Roberta BIANCONI scored the next two goals, giving Italy a 3-2 lead. Dominique PERRAULT scored from deep right at 0:44 to close the first quarter.
Canada went into the lead through 16-year-old WRIGHT, from the same position at PERRAULT had scored. Italy was stung into action and EMMOLO and COTTI on extra from opposite sides of the pool had the match back in Italy’s grasp at 5-4. Captain Tania DI MARIO showed her class with consecutive goals from wide on the right, the first with a lob and the seconds with a skip shot, 13 seconds from time for a 7-4 advantage at the long break.
BEKHAZI used her left arm to good effect scoring the first and third goals of the third period with GARIBOTTI gaining her third for 8-6. Italy then pushed the margin to four as EMMOLO from 8m and BIANCONI from the penalty line produced one of the biggest gaps of the week. Italy went to a unrewarded timeout at 3:12. Monika EGGENS scored from the left side and well out, but BIANCONI sent in an 8m lob at 1:03 to regain the four-goal lead at 11-7.
Canada’s timeout ploy at 5:24 in the fourth yielded a Krystina ALOGBO goal with a close pass on the near-post position. BIANCONI struck again on extra from the top left and at 3:18 WRIGHT converted extra for Canada and 12-9. EMMOLO stunned Canada with a sharp, swift shot early on extra and the match was almost over. Canada called a timeout but their was no further scoring. Italy was through to the fifth-sixth play-off.
CAN vs ITA - credit: Russell McKinnon
Fabio CONTI (ITA) — Head Coach
“It was a good game, but when you arrive at this part of the tournament and you are playing for fifth to eighth, it is another kind of game. After the first quarter we tried a different motivation and changed our plan. We wanted to play this game like a final, for the future.”
Giulia EMMOLO (ITA) — four goals
“We approached the match quarter by quarter and did not think of the result. It is important for us to do this well and find the solution through our
training
.” On her shooting, she said: “I must work harder for the World Championships and beyond.”Krystina ALOGBO (USA) — Captain
“We just wanted to play our own game. We wanted to come out sharp and swim hard and work on different defences, different styles, with different referees. Also one of our goals was to work on power play percentages. We fell away from the game today and played their game instead.” On tomorrow’s clash with Australia for seventh and eighth, she said: “We will approach them like every team. It will be a rematch of the first game (won 12-8 by Australia). It will be an indicator of character, win or lose.”
Match 19: 16:00, 1-4 Semifinal, CHINA 9 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 7
Quarters: 1-0, 3-2, 3-2, 2-3
Referees: Alan BALFANBAYEV (KAZ), Maro SAVINOVIC (CRO)
Extra Man: CHN: 3/10. USA: 2/4
Pens: USA: 0/2
Teams:
CHINA: YANG Jun, TENG Fei, LIU Ping (1), SUN Yujun (1), HE Jin (1), SUN Yating (1), SONG Donglun (2), ZHU Yajing, MEI Xiaohan, MA Huanhuan (2), ZHANG Cong (1), ZHANG Lei, WANG Ying. Head Coach: Alexander KLEYMENOV.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Lauren SILVER (2), Melissa SEIDEMANN, Danielle WARDE, Caroline CLARK, Margaret STEFFENS (1), Courtney MATHEWSON (1), Kiley NEUSHAL, Jillian KRAUS, Kelly RULON, Annika DRIES (2), Kameryn CRAIG (1), Tumuaialii ANAE. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
Nothing prepared USA for this match. China was pumped and went at it from the first whistle, gaining the kudos and a berth in the gold-medal final. To see the Olympic champion restricted to two goals in the first half was a humbling sight.
It took time for the teams to sort each other out and the first quarter was a dour, defensive game. MA Huanhuan scored the only goal of the period form the top on extra.
SONG Donglun started the second period with a beautiful bouncer into the top of the net and two minutes later captain SUN Yujun drove down the right to score for a stunning 3-0. China used its first timeout early to no effect. Kami CRAIG opened USA’s scoring from centre forward with what seemed an easy effort. LIU Ping converted extra from outside five metres and China was 4-1 ahead. Lauren SILVER drew the game closer for USA on extra to close the half’s scoring. Courtney MATHEWSON hit the crossbar on a penalty attempt at 6:46 in the third period. SONG was on song again with an extra-man conversion for 5-2. MATHEWSON made some amends on extra at 4:44 and the SILVER had a penalty attempt, only for the in-form YANG Jun to block. Two penalty misses in three and a half minutes was not a good time for the USA. International newcomer MEI Xiaohan scored her first goal of the week with a rocket from 8m. SILVER faked and shot into top right for 6-4. MA closed the period with an 8m shot with two seconds remaining for a handsome 7-4.
USA came back in the fourth with a vengeance, thanks to two Annika DRIES shots from two metres. The first she turned and bounced the ball and the second she didn’t bother to turn, just backhanding it into the net. Maggie STEFFENS levelled the game for the first time at 7-7 with a shot from the right. ZHANG Cong would have had the live television broadcast viewers excited with a bouncer from the deep left at 4:50. USA used up a timeout for no result at 3:02 and China went 9-7 ahead through HE Jin on extra, accepting a pass from the top on the post position to turn and ram the ball over the line. China went to a timeout after another fantastic YANG save but the lob was late and hit the crossbar. USA used its second timeout at 0:55 with the match slipping away. The idea was to get Kiley NEUSHAL to blast a shot early, which she did but YANG saved, HE had a shot at the far end, USA lost the ball on attack and the game was over with China through to the gold-medal final.
CHN vs USA - credit: Russell McKinnon
Alexander KLEYMENOV (RUS) — China Head Coach
“We played very strong today. I might be Russian, but my heart is with China. The team listens and now all China is united, together. The team has been up some years and down others, but now it is a very big family.”
Adam KRIKORIAN (USA) — Head Coach
On the slow start: “The last three or four games that has been the story for us. We are having trouble from the perimeter shooting the ball. We’re tired. China played great. For some of our team it’s the first matches since the Olympic Games. We have a long way to go, but I am proud of the way we battled back. It was a tough game and we missed two penalties. China is good. Full of
energy
and a tough team to beat.”Match 20: 18:40, 1-4 Semifinal, HUNGARY 9 RUSSIA 12
Quarters: 2-3, 0-1, 3-5, 4-3
Referees: Marie-Claude DESLIERES (CAN), Andrew CARNEY (AUS)
Extra Man: HUN: 2/6. RUS: 7/9
Pens: HUN: 0/1. RUS: 2/2
Teams:
HUNGARY: Orsolya KASO, Anna ILLES (2), Dora ANTAL (1), Ibolya MISKOLCZI (1), Gabriella SZUCS, Orsolya TAKACS (2), Brigitta HORVATH, Rita KESZTHELYI (1), Ildiko TOTH, Barbara BUJKA, Krisztina GARDA, Kata MENCZINGER (2), Edina GANGL. Head Coach: Andras MERESZ.
RUSSIA: Anna USTYUKHINA, Diana ANTONOVA, Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (1), Elvina KARIMOVA (2), Alexandra ANTONOVA (2), Olga BELOVA (1), Ekaterina LISUNOVA (3), Anna GRINEVA (1), Anna TIMOFEEVA (1), Olga BELIAEVA (1), Evgeniya IVANOVA, Ksenia KRIMER, Anna KARNAUKH. Head Coach: Mikhail NAKORYAKOV.
It was a battle for the best in Europe and Russia did not disappoint with what turned out to be a dour match at stages.
Hungary opened through Dora ANTAL at 5:59 in what was a level quarter. Ekaterina LISUNOVA made it 1-1 on extra. Hungary had an excellent chance on penalty, but Ibolya MISKOLCZI sent the ball into the goalkeeper. LISUNOVA scored her second, again on extra. Kata MENCZINGER netted from the deep left for 2-2 at 1:00. Elvina KARIMOVA broke the deadlock at 0:27 on extra for the quarter-time advantage.
It took a while before a breakthrough in the second quarter with Russia using a timeout, only to score a second after the exclusion time through KARIMOVA at the four-metre line. Russia stretched the margin when Anna TIMOFEEVA drilled a shot from nine metres, gaining a slight deflection en route and catching out the goalkeeper for 5-2. Rita KESZTHELYI responded from eight metres with just three seconds left on the halftime clock.
The margin stretched to four when Olga BELOVA and Anna GRINEVA both scored. Anna ILLES made it 7-4 from deep left, then Alexandra ANTONOVA and LISUNOVA on penalty took the margin to five goals. A Hungarian timeout was unrewarded. Olga BELIAEVA scored off the left-post position on extra for 10-4. Hungary was not down and out. Three successive goals gave hope with MISKOLCZI (7m lob) and Kata MENCZINGER (extra) closing the third period at 10-6. Captain Orsolya TAKACS scored off the under side of the crossbar form six metres at 7:10 in the fourth quarter. Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA took a foul 10m out and swiftly sent the ball skimming across the top of the water into goal for 11-7. A Russian timeout did nothing to the scoreboard. ILLES scored her second from the deep left on extra for 11-8 at 3:21. The game was safe when Russia earned a penalty shot, which Alexandra ANTONOVA converted at 3:03 for 12-8. TAKACS completed the scoring from the top in the last 11 seconds for 12-9, not enough to make the gold-medal final.
HUN vs RUS - credit: Russell McKinnon
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — Head Coach
“That game was between two very tired teams with a lot of physicality. I am empty right now. Tomorrow, I think, there are two (important) games and always the bronze-medal match is harder. I hope I can power my team to victory.”
*****
Super Final 2013 (Women): Host China to play USA and Hungary against Russia in World League semifinals
Russell McKinnon, FINA Press Commission Member
BEIJING, China (June 4) - Host China will play Olympic and reigning FINA World League champion United States of America in one semifinal on day five of the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final at the Water Cube in Beijing tomorrow. Hungary will play Russia in the other semifinal.
Russia beat Olympic silver medallist Spain 11-9 in what was a controversial final 14 seconds when a penalty was awarded against Spain in what was seen as possible referee error. Hungary beat Olympic bronze medallist Australia 17-16 in a penalty shootout after the game was tied at 13-13 in regular time. It reversed what Australia did to Hungary in the bronze-medal finals of the last two Olympic Games by winning in penalties in 2008 and in extra time in 2012.
USA, so often a top finisher in this tournament, had to work hard to defeat Canada 6-5 in their quarterfinal and advance to the top four and encounter China.
Australia, will play Spain in the round 5-8 semifinals and Italy will face Canada. The irony of the competition is that the top four teams all came from Group A.
Match reports:
Match 13: 15:00, Quarterfinal, HUNGARY 17 AUSTRALIA 16 in penalty shootout (FT: 13-13. Pens: 4-3)
Quarters: 2-6, 6-3, 1-2, 4-2. Pens: 4-3
Referees: Amber DRURY-PINTO (USA), Massimo SAVARESE (ITA)
Extra Man: HUN 5/10. AUS: 9/16
Pens: HUN: 1/1
Teams:
HUNGARY: Orsolya KASO, Anna ILLES, Dora ANTAL (2), Ibolya MISKOLCZI (2), Gabriella SZUCS (2), Orsolya TAKACS, (4) Brigitta HORVATH (1), Rita KESZTHELYI (2), Ildiko TOTH (1), Barbara BUJKA (2), Krisztina GARDA, Kata MENCZINGER (1), Edina GANGL. Head Coach: Andras MERESZ.
AUSTRALIA: Lea BARTA, Jayde APPEL, Hannah BUCKLING (1), Holly LINCOLN-SMITH, Isobel BISHOP (2), Bronwen KNOX (3), Rowena WEBSTER (4), Glencora RALPH, Zoe ARANCINI (1), Ashleigh SOUTHERN (2), Keesja GOFERS, Nicola ZAGAME (3), Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Greg McFADDEN.
At the last two Olympic Games, Australia beat Hungary for bronze in a penalty shootout and in extra time. In Beijing today, it was Hungary’s turn to taste victory. Down 6-2 at one stage, Hungary fought back to trail by one at halftime and two at the final break before winning the last period 4-2, forcing a shootout. Hungary scored four penalties to Australia’s three.
Australia started like a greyhound out of a trap, shooting to 2-1 and 4-1 leads and then closing the first quarter at 6-2. But, by halftime, Hungary was within one goal. Rowena WEBSTER opened from the top and Nicola ZAGAME scored from the deep left for 2-0. Gabriella SZUCS opened Hungary’s account, also from outside. WEBSTER blasted in another from the top and captain Bronwen KNOX went on counter from the rear and shot and scored from 6m for 4-1. Hungarian captain Orsolya TAKACS used her strength to gain height and accept a cross pass for 4-2 at two metres. Ashleigh SOUTHERN and Hannah BUCKLING both scored goals on extra from the top to close the scoring, with the last goal four seconds from time.
It was all Hungary at the start of the second period. Ibolya MISKOLCZI scored twice with the first on extra and the second on a double exclusion. Barbara BUJKA sent in an easy shot from centre forward for 5-6. WEBSTER scored her third from centre forward. Rita KESZTHELYI converted extra and SOUTHERN netted her second from the top after the exclusion period for an 8-6 advantage. Brigitta HORVATH and Ildiko TOTH, both on extra, drew the match level at 8-8. The second came after a timeout. Australia snared a last-second goal through Nicola ZAGAME from one metre, pouncing on a rebound to give Australia a 9-8 halftime lead.
Hungary began the second half with a change of goalkeepers, Orsolya KASO leaving for Edina GANGL. Australia took an early timeout, but to no avail. Isobel BISHOP scored twice, either side of a TAKACS outside score for 11-9 in what seemed a pedestrian quarter.
The final period was all Hungary as Dora ANTAL from deep left and BUJKA on penalty had the game at 11-11. KNOX struck back off a near-post pass on extra. SZUCS netted her second from 8m and the game was tied at 12-12. Two minutes later (3:32), TAKACS scored a fantastic shot from deep right to take the lead. Hungary had a chance on extra after a timeout, but not joy. Then, at 1:54, Zoe ARANCINI scored on extra from deep left for 13-13, a score that couldn’t be changed, even though Australia failed to shoot when on extra for the final 11 seconds.
In the shootout, SOUTHERN and HORVATH had their shots blocked by GANGL and Lea BARTA. KESZTHELYI, Webster, Kata MENCZINGER all scored for 15-15. Then Glencora RALPH had her shot stopped. ANTAL and ZAGAME scored, leaving TAKACS to send in the final shot on rotation for the 17-16 victory.
Quarters: 2-6, 6-3, 1-2, 4-2. Pens: 4-3
Referees: Amber DRURY-PINTO (USA), Massimo SAVARESE (ITA)
Extra Man: HUN 5/10. AUS: 9/16
Pens: HUN: 1/1
Teams:
HUNGARY: Orsolya KASO, Anna ILLES, Dora ANTAL (2), Ibolya MISKOLCZI (2), Gabriella SZUCS (2), Orsolya TAKACS, (4) Brigitta HORVATH (1), Rita KESZTHELYI (2), Ildiko TOTH (1), Barbara BUJKA (2), Krisztina GARDA, Kata MENCZINGER (1), Edina GANGL. Head Coach: Andras MERESZ.
AUSTRALIA: Lea BARTA, Jayde APPEL, Hannah BUCKLING (1), Holly LINCOLN-SMITH, Isobel BISHOP (2), Bronwen KNOX (3), Rowena WEBSTER (4), Glencora RALPH, Zoe ARANCINI (1), Ashleigh SOUTHERN (2), Keesja GOFERS, Nicola ZAGAME (3), Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Greg McFADDEN.
At the last two Olympic Games, Australia beat Hungary for bronze in a penalty shootout and in extra time. In Beijing today, it was Hungary’s turn to taste victory. Down 6-2 at one stage, Hungary fought back to trail by one at halftime and two at the final break before winning the last period 4-2, forcing a shootout. Hungary scored four penalties to Australia’s three.
Australia started like a greyhound out of a trap, shooting to 2-1 and 4-1 leads and then closing the first quarter at 6-2. But, by halftime, Hungary was within one goal. Rowena WEBSTER opened from the top and Nicola ZAGAME scored from the deep left for 2-0. Gabriella SZUCS opened Hungary’s account, also from outside. WEBSTER blasted in another from the top and captain Bronwen KNOX went on counter from the rear and shot and scored from 6m for 4-1. Hungarian captain Orsolya TAKACS used her strength to gain height and accept a cross pass for 4-2 at two metres. Ashleigh SOUTHERN and Hannah BUCKLING both scored goals on extra from the top to close the scoring, with the last goal four seconds from time.
It was all Hungary at the start of the second period. Ibolya MISKOLCZI scored twice with the first on extra and the second on a double exclusion. Barbara BUJKA sent in an easy shot from centre forward for 5-6. WEBSTER scored her third from centre forward. Rita KESZTHELYI converted extra and SOUTHERN netted her second from the top after the exclusion period for an 8-6 advantage. Brigitta HORVATH and Ildiko TOTH, both on extra, drew the match level at 8-8. The second came after a timeout. Australia snared a last-second goal through Nicola ZAGAME from one metre, pouncing on a rebound to give Australia a 9-8 halftime lead.
Hungary began the second half with a change of goalkeepers, Orsolya KASO leaving for Edina GANGL. Australia took an early timeout, but to no avail. Isobel BISHOP scored twice, either side of a TAKACS outside score for 11-9 in what seemed a pedestrian quarter.
The final period was all Hungary as Dora ANTAL from deep left and BUJKA on penalty had the game at 11-11. KNOX struck back off a near-post pass on extra. SZUCS netted her second from 8m and the game was tied at 12-12. Two minutes later (3:32), TAKACS scored a fantastic shot from deep right to take the lead. Hungary had a chance on extra after a timeout, but not joy. Then, at 1:54, Zoe ARANCINI scored on extra from deep left for 13-13, a score that couldn’t be changed, even though Australia failed to shoot when on extra for the final 11 seconds.
In the shootout, SOUTHERN and HORVATH had their shots blocked by GANGL and Lea BARTA. KESZTHELYI, Webster, Kata MENCZINGER all scored for 15-15. Then Glencora RALPH had her shot stopped. ANTAL and ZAGAME scored, leaving TAKACS to send in the final shot on rotation for the 17-16 victory.
HUN vs AUS - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — Head Coach
“After a terrible first quarter my players fought back and their minds were in a good place. Their hearts hurt but their minds were like ice. It’s hard to play Australia because it is such a very, very strong team. Right now, I don’t think we will have an easy game tomorrow. We must work more and more before the World Championships and then for the Olympic Games in Brazil. (2016).”
Rita KESZTHELYI (HUN) — two-goal scorer
“The
USA vs CAN
RUS vs ESP - credit: Russell McKinnon
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — Head Coach
“After a terrible first quarter my players fought back and their minds were in a good place. Their hearts hurt but their minds were like ice. It’s hard to play Australia because it is such a very, very strong team. Right now, I don’t think we will have an easy game tomorrow. We must work more and more before the World Championships and then for the Olympic Games in Brazil. (2016).”
Rita KESZTHELYI (HUN) — two-goal scorer
“The
win
was very good because at the last two Olympic Games we lost to Australia after full time. We haven’t beaten them for such a long time. We are not in the best shape, like Australia. We have a lot of time until the World Championships and if we meet them there we want to win again.”
Greg McFADDEN (AUS) — Head Coach
“The first quarter we played excellently. We played the way we are supposed to play by sticking to the game plan. We then allowed them to get plenty of space to score. At 6-3 it went to 9-8 and it was anyone’s game. It was pleasing in a way as we have seven new players and they have not had many changes. I think that since the Olympics we are the team that has changed the most. We have not had much time together. I hope they will learn from the experience, what to do, how to stick to the game plan and not deviate and get caught out. The eight best teams in the world are here and then there is Greece and the Netherlands. Women’s teams are currently very competitive and any team can beat another on any day.”
Rowena WEBSTER (AUS) — four goals
“We stopped playing on and our game was sporadic. In the first quarter we played to our game plan. We were 6-3 up and you can’t expect a team to come back and expect to come up with a win. We had our opportunities, but didn’t score. We don’t have the best record in shootouts at World League, but it shouldn’t have come down to that. We have to be more confident in pressure situations.”
Greg McFADDEN (AUS) — Head Coach
“The first quarter we played excellently. We played the way we are supposed to play by sticking to the game plan. We then allowed them to get plenty of space to score. At 6-3 it went to 9-8 and it was anyone’s game. It was pleasing in a way as we have seven new players and they have not had many changes. I think that since the Olympics we are the team that has changed the most. We have not had much time together. I hope they will learn from the experience, what to do, how to stick to the game plan and not deviate and get caught out. The eight best teams in the world are here and then there is Greece and the Netherlands. Women’s teams are currently very competitive and any team can beat another on any day.”
Rowena WEBSTER (AUS) — four goals
“We stopped playing on and our game was sporadic. In the first quarter we played to our game plan. We were 6-3 up and you can’t expect a team to come back and expect to come up with a win. We had our opportunities, but didn’t score. We don’t have the best record in shootouts at World League, but it shouldn’t have come down to that. We have to be more confident in pressure situations.”
Match 14: 17:40, Quarterfinal, CHINA 11 ITALY 8
Quarters: 5-2, 3-2, 1-1, 2-3
Referees: Alan BALFANBAYEV (KAZ), Marie-Claude DESLIERES (CAN)
Extra Man: CHN: 5/6. ITA: 4/10
Pens: ITA: 1/2
Teams:
CHINA: YANG Jun, TENG Fei, LIU Ping, SUN Yujun (4), HE Jin (1), SUN Yating (2), SONG Donglun, ZHU Yajing, MEI Xiaohan, MA Huanhuan, ZHANG Cong (2), ZHANG Lei (2), WANG Ying. Head Coach: Alexander KLEYMENOV.
ITALY: Elena GIGLI, Francesca POMERI, Arianna GARIBOTTI, Federica RADICCHI, Elisa QUEIROLO, Rosaria AIELLO, Tania DI MARIO (1), Roberta BIANCONI (4), Giulia EMMOLO (2), Valeria PALMIERI, Aleksandra COTTI (1), Teresa FRASSINETTI, Giulia GORLERO. Head Coach: Fabio CONTI.
Chinese eased into the semifinals in a high-fouling game in which there were an incredible eight double exclusions. China finished with four players on three major fouls and the second goalkeeper had to play the final minute in a white No. 13 cap. Chinese players were fouled 20 times to Italy’s 14.
Italy opened through superstar Roberta BIANCONI on penalty. China, however, made sure of first-quarter dominance with three consecutive goals via ZHANG Lei, and SUN Yujun on either of the deep wings, and ZHANG Lei again. BIANCONI struck again from the eight-metre line before SUN Yujun from deep right and SUN Yating with a centre-forward backhand, had China 5-2 up at the break.
SUN Yating and ZHANG Cong started the second quarter to give China an excellent buffer on which to build victory. Italy proved its fighting spirit with goals from Aleksandra COTTI — an 8m lob — and Giulia EMMOLO for 7-4. Captain Tania DI MARIO continued her run of bad luck from the penalty line with a blocked shot at 1:47. HE Jin on extra completed the Chinese scoring for 8-4 at halftime.
Italy used its first timeout at 5:47 in the third period and at the end of suspension time BIANCONI grabbed her third for 8-5. China took a timeout and SUN Yujun claimed her third for 9-5 at 3:07, which proved to be the last goal of the period.
DI MARIO opened the fourth quarter with a lob on counter for 9-6 at 6:08. On a double exclusion, ZHANG Cong scored for 10-6 at 5:15. BIANCONI scored her third on extra and SUN Yujun netted her fourth in a scramble down the front right for 11-7 at 2:48. EMMOLO drilled one from the right side of the pool for 11-8 at 2:27. China called a timeout when three goals up at 1:06 and placed second goalkeeper WANG Ying into a white 13 cap and she was soon excluded. DI MARIO’s last shot was deflected and China was through to the semifinals.
Quarters: 5-2, 3-2, 1-1, 2-3
Referees: Alan BALFANBAYEV (KAZ), Marie-Claude DESLIERES (CAN)
Extra Man: CHN: 5/6. ITA: 4/10
Pens: ITA: 1/2
Teams:
CHINA: YANG Jun, TENG Fei, LIU Ping, SUN Yujun (4), HE Jin (1), SUN Yating (2), SONG Donglun, ZHU Yajing, MEI Xiaohan, MA Huanhuan, ZHANG Cong (2), ZHANG Lei (2), WANG Ying. Head Coach: Alexander KLEYMENOV.
ITALY: Elena GIGLI, Francesca POMERI, Arianna GARIBOTTI, Federica RADICCHI, Elisa QUEIROLO, Rosaria AIELLO, Tania DI MARIO (1), Roberta BIANCONI (4), Giulia EMMOLO (2), Valeria PALMIERI, Aleksandra COTTI (1), Teresa FRASSINETTI, Giulia GORLERO. Head Coach: Fabio CONTI.
Chinese eased into the semifinals in a high-fouling game in which there were an incredible eight double exclusions. China finished with four players on three major fouls and the second goalkeeper had to play the final minute in a white No. 13 cap. Chinese players were fouled 20 times to Italy’s 14.
Italy opened through superstar Roberta BIANCONI on penalty. China, however, made sure of first-quarter dominance with three consecutive goals via ZHANG Lei, and SUN Yujun on either of the deep wings, and ZHANG Lei again. BIANCONI struck again from the eight-metre line before SUN Yujun from deep right and SUN Yating with a centre-forward backhand, had China 5-2 up at the break.
SUN Yating and ZHANG Cong started the second quarter to give China an excellent buffer on which to build victory. Italy proved its fighting spirit with goals from Aleksandra COTTI — an 8m lob — and Giulia EMMOLO for 7-4. Captain Tania DI MARIO continued her run of bad luck from the penalty line with a blocked shot at 1:47. HE Jin on extra completed the Chinese scoring for 8-4 at halftime.
Italy used its first timeout at 5:47 in the third period and at the end of suspension time BIANCONI grabbed her third for 8-5. China took a timeout and SUN Yujun claimed her third for 9-5 at 3:07, which proved to be the last goal of the period.
DI MARIO opened the fourth quarter with a lob on counter for 9-6 at 6:08. On a double exclusion, ZHANG Cong scored for 10-6 at 5:15. BIANCONI scored her third on extra and SUN Yujun netted her fourth in a scramble down the front right for 11-7 at 2:48. EMMOLO drilled one from the right side of the pool for 11-8 at 2:27. China called a timeout when three goals up at 1:06 and placed second goalkeeper WANG Ying into a white 13 cap and she was soon excluded. DI MARIO’s last shot was deflected and China was through to the semifinals.
Match 15: 16:20, Quarterfinal, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 6 CANADA 5
Quarters: 2-1, 0-0, 2-3, 2-1
Referees: Jaume TEIXIDO (ESP), Edmundo RODRIGUES (BRA)
Extra Man: USA: 3/7. CAN: 5/9
Pens: USA: 1/1
Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Lauren SILVER (1), Melissa SEIDEMANN, Danielle WARDE, Caroline CLARK, Margaret STEFFENS, Courtney MATHEWSON (1), Kiley NEUSHAL, Jillian KRAUS (1), Kelly RULON (2), Annika DRIES, Kameryn CRAIG (1), Tumuaialii ANAE. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
CANADA: Michele RELTON, Krystina ALOGBO, Katrina MONTON (1), Emma WRIGHT (1), Monika EGGENS (2), Joelle BEKHAZI, Sophie BARON LA SALLE, Dominique PERRAULT, Carmen EGGENS (1), Christine ROBINSON, Stephanie VALIN, Marina RADU, Nicola COLTERJOHN. Head Coach: Guy BAKER.
USA averted a penalty shootout with a dour 6-5 victory over neighbour Canada. With former long-time USA coach Guy BAKER at the helm of Canada, and the frequent clashes between the two nations, there were no surprises.
The match didn’t look like it would be low scoring with Courtney MATHEWSON from the top and Kelly RULON from the field opening the scoring early. Sixteen-year-old Emma WRIGHT responded on extra for Canada midway through the period. For the rest of the period the wood of the goals saw more action than the goalkeepers.
The second quarter was the same with no goals and plenty of defence and wood. Lauren SILVER converted a penalty three minutes into the third quarter for 3-1. Canada took a timeout soon after and Katrina MONTON converted the opportunity for 3-2. Monika EGGENS, who had hit the wood five times, converted extra-man attack, which came after a double exclusion, meaning three players were out of the water at the same time. Two minutes later, Kami CRAIG gained an excellent cross pass along the two-metre line to score on extra for 4-3 at 1:21. Canada levelled through Carmen EGGENS at 1:04 on extra for 4-4.
The final quarter became a bit of a nail-biter with USA in charge. Jillian KRAUS scored on the deep right at 6:55. USA used a timeout, but the Canadian defence was too good. RULON netted her second at 2:14 for 6-4. Canada was not yet beaten and Monika EGGENS scored again from the top for 6-5 at 1:43. Canada called a timeout at 0:38, shot and received the rebound. The ball was sent into centre forward for no result. The ball came out to the top and the press defence stopped Canada having an equalising shot. USA’s hopes of yet another World League title were still live.
Quarters: 2-1, 0-0, 2-3, 2-1
Referees: Jaume TEIXIDO (ESP), Edmundo RODRIGUES (BRA)
Extra Man: USA: 3/7. CAN: 5/9
Pens: USA: 1/1
Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Lauren SILVER (1), Melissa SEIDEMANN, Danielle WARDE, Caroline CLARK, Margaret STEFFENS, Courtney MATHEWSON (1), Kiley NEUSHAL, Jillian KRAUS (1), Kelly RULON (2), Annika DRIES, Kameryn CRAIG (1), Tumuaialii ANAE. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
CANADA: Michele RELTON, Krystina ALOGBO, Katrina MONTON (1), Emma WRIGHT (1), Monika EGGENS (2), Joelle BEKHAZI, Sophie BARON LA SALLE, Dominique PERRAULT, Carmen EGGENS (1), Christine ROBINSON, Stephanie VALIN, Marina RADU, Nicola COLTERJOHN. Head Coach: Guy BAKER.
USA averted a penalty shootout with a dour 6-5 victory over neighbour Canada. With former long-time USA coach Guy BAKER at the helm of Canada, and the frequent clashes between the two nations, there were no surprises.
The match didn’t look like it would be low scoring with Courtney MATHEWSON from the top and Kelly RULON from the field opening the scoring early. Sixteen-year-old Emma WRIGHT responded on extra for Canada midway through the period. For the rest of the period the wood of the goals saw more action than the goalkeepers.
The second quarter was the same with no goals and plenty of defence and wood. Lauren SILVER converted a penalty three minutes into the third quarter for 3-1. Canada took a timeout soon after and Katrina MONTON converted the opportunity for 3-2. Monika EGGENS, who had hit the wood five times, converted extra-man attack, which came after a double exclusion, meaning three players were out of the water at the same time. Two minutes later, Kami CRAIG gained an excellent cross pass along the two-metre line to score on extra for 4-3 at 1:21. Canada levelled through Carmen EGGENS at 1:04 on extra for 4-4.
The final quarter became a bit of a nail-biter with USA in charge. Jillian KRAUS scored on the deep right at 6:55. USA used a timeout, but the Canadian defence was too good. RULON netted her second at 2:14 for 6-4. Canada was not yet beaten and Monika EGGENS scored again from the top for 6-5 at 1:43. Canada called a timeout at 0:38, shot and received the rebound. The ball was sent into centre forward for no result. The ball came out to the top and the press defence stopped Canada having an equalising shot. USA’s hopes of yet another World League title were still live.
USA vs CAN
FLASH QUOTE:
Krystina ALOGBO (CAN) — Captain
“It’s a battle every time we play them, at both ends of the pool. We stayed focused on our game plan and our game, opening up the offence and shooting when the openings are there. In the beginning the trouble was transition, going off our shots. Our defence was fine and we had to take away their strengths and not let them shoot where they wanted to shoot. We’re fairly well matched up and we now their strengths and weaknesses.”
Krystina ALOGBO (CAN) — Captain
“It’s a battle every time we play them, at both ends of the pool. We stayed focused on our game plan and our game, opening up the offence and shooting when the openings are there. In the beginning the trouble was transition, going off our shots. Our defence was fine and we had to take away their strengths and not let them shoot where they wanted to shoot. We’re fairly well matched up and we now their strengths and weaknesses.”
Match 16: 19:00, Quarterfinal, RUSSIA 11 SPAIN 9
Quarters: 1-2, 3-3, 3-2, 4-2
Referees: Maro SAVINOVIC (CRO), MENG Anlong (CHN)
Extra Man: RUS: 1/8 ESP: 2/5
Pens: RUS: 1/2. ESP: 2/2
Teams:
RUSSIA: Anna USTYUKHINA, Diana ANTONOVA, Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (3), Elvina KARIMOVA, Alexandra ANTONOVA (2), Olga BELOVA, Ekaterina LISUNOVA (3), Anna GRINEVA, Anna TIMOFEEVA, Olga BELIAEVA (3), Evgeniya IVANOVA (1), Ksenia KRIMER, Anna KARNAUKH. Head Coach: Mikhail NAKORYAKOV.
SPAIN: Laura ESTER, Marta BACH, Anna ESPAR (2), Roser TARRAGO (3), Matilda ORTIZ, Jennifer PAREJA (1), Lorena MIRANDA, Pilar PENA (1), Andrea BLAS, Ona MESEGUER (1), Maica GARCIA, Laura LOPEZ (1), Patricia HERRERA. Head Coach: Miguel OCA.
Russia beat Spain in a controversial finish in which Spain called a timeout with 14 seconds remaining when it appeared both referees had turned over the ball before Russia had used possession time. Spanish head coach, Olympic champion Miguel OCA, called a timeout just as the referees signalled but no whistle had been blown. After a long period of poolside discussions, Russia gained the penalty, converted and Spain was assigned to the round 5-8.
Olga BELIAEVA opened the scoring at centre forward for Russia. However, Spain scored the next four goals in the next eight minutes. Pilar PENA scored an immaculate goal on the drive, followed by captain Jennifer PAREJA down the left for 2-1 at quarter time.
Roser TARRAGO scored twice from the penalty line in quick succession and the margin was out to 4-1 by 6:56 of the second period. Russia jumped into the game with Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA, Ekaterina LISUNOVA and BELIAEVA with her second goal levelled the game at 4-4 by 2:50. Ona MESEGUER scored on extra from the deep right to break the deadlock at 1:20, the last scoring of the half.
PROKOFYEVA levelled from the left on the first attack of the third period. TARRAGO drilled one from the top for a Spanish advantage and then a very smart goal went to Alexandra ANTONOVA, a gift from centre forward BELIAEVA, who flicked the ball to the left when heavily defended. It was 6-6 at 4:59. Russia went to a timeout with no effect on the scoreboard. At 1:58, Alexandra ANTONOVA struck again for 7-6, Russia’s second lead of the match since 1-0. Anna ESPAR upset Russia with a 5m goal, one of the few this week. She rose high on the free throw and rocketed the ball high into the net for 7-7, three seconds from time.
PROKOFYEVA was on the spot to receive the ball from the top and score from very deep left at 7:18 in the fourth quarter and 8-7. LISUNOVA on a drive and BELIAEVA with a two-metre backhand took Russia 10-7 ahead by 3:39. PROKOFYEVA had her penalty attempt blocked and at the other end, ESPAR sent in a missile from downtown for 10-8. Russia went to a timeout at 1:31, more to settle the team than major tactics. Alexander ANTONOVA was caught offside and Spain had a sniff of a draw, drew an exclusion and on the second shot scored through Laura LOPEZ at 0:42. Spain called a timeout when Russia still had two seconds on the clock. It appeared both referees gave a signal for the turnover. Spanish head coach Miguel OCA advanced to the referee on the score bench side and protested wildly. Much chat ensued and it was decided that it was an illegal timeout and a penalty was given to Russia and LISUNOVA converted for 11-9, leaving a sour taste in Spain’s mouth.
Quarters: 1-2, 3-3, 3-2, 4-2
Referees: Maro SAVINOVIC (CRO), MENG Anlong (CHN)
Extra Man: RUS: 1/8 ESP: 2/5
Pens: RUS: 1/2. ESP: 2/2
Teams:
RUSSIA: Anna USTYUKHINA, Diana ANTONOVA, Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (3), Elvina KARIMOVA, Alexandra ANTONOVA (2), Olga BELOVA, Ekaterina LISUNOVA (3), Anna GRINEVA, Anna TIMOFEEVA, Olga BELIAEVA (3), Evgeniya IVANOVA (1), Ksenia KRIMER, Anna KARNAUKH. Head Coach: Mikhail NAKORYAKOV.
SPAIN: Laura ESTER, Marta BACH, Anna ESPAR (2), Roser TARRAGO (3), Matilda ORTIZ, Jennifer PAREJA (1), Lorena MIRANDA, Pilar PENA (1), Andrea BLAS, Ona MESEGUER (1), Maica GARCIA, Laura LOPEZ (1), Patricia HERRERA. Head Coach: Miguel OCA.
Russia beat Spain in a controversial finish in which Spain called a timeout with 14 seconds remaining when it appeared both referees had turned over the ball before Russia had used possession time. Spanish head coach, Olympic champion Miguel OCA, called a timeout just as the referees signalled but no whistle had been blown. After a long period of poolside discussions, Russia gained the penalty, converted and Spain was assigned to the round 5-8.
Olga BELIAEVA opened the scoring at centre forward for Russia. However, Spain scored the next four goals in the next eight minutes. Pilar PENA scored an immaculate goal on the drive, followed by captain Jennifer PAREJA down the left for 2-1 at quarter time.
Roser TARRAGO scored twice from the penalty line in quick succession and the margin was out to 4-1 by 6:56 of the second period. Russia jumped into the game with Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA, Ekaterina LISUNOVA and BELIAEVA with her second goal levelled the game at 4-4 by 2:50. Ona MESEGUER scored on extra from the deep right to break the deadlock at 1:20, the last scoring of the half.
PROKOFYEVA levelled from the left on the first attack of the third period. TARRAGO drilled one from the top for a Spanish advantage and then a very smart goal went to Alexandra ANTONOVA, a gift from centre forward BELIAEVA, who flicked the ball to the left when heavily defended. It was 6-6 at 4:59. Russia went to a timeout with no effect on the scoreboard. At 1:58, Alexandra ANTONOVA struck again for 7-6, Russia’s second lead of the match since 1-0. Anna ESPAR upset Russia with a 5m goal, one of the few this week. She rose high on the free throw and rocketed the ball high into the net for 7-7, three seconds from time.
PROKOFYEVA was on the spot to receive the ball from the top and score from very deep left at 7:18 in the fourth quarter and 8-7. LISUNOVA on a drive and BELIAEVA with a two-metre backhand took Russia 10-7 ahead by 3:39. PROKOFYEVA had her penalty attempt blocked and at the other end, ESPAR sent in a missile from downtown for 10-8. Russia went to a timeout at 1:31, more to settle the team than major tactics. Alexander ANTONOVA was caught offside and Spain had a sniff of a draw, drew an exclusion and on the second shot scored through Laura LOPEZ at 0:42. Spain called a timeout when Russia still had two seconds on the clock. It appeared both referees gave a signal for the turnover. Spanish head coach Miguel OCA advanced to the referee on the score bench side and protested wildly. Much chat ensued and it was decided that it was an illegal timeout and a penalty was given to Russia and LISUNOVA converted for 11-9, leaving a sour taste in Spain’s mouth.
RUS vs ESP - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (RUS) — two goals
“The Spanish team is very interesting. They are experienced and strong. We were prepared and very serious for this match. We knew there was a lot at stake, to be in the top four or not to be in the top four. We had to play as one, as a unit, a fist. We played very well as a team against the Olympic silver medallist.”
Miguel OCA (ESP) — Head Coach
“We didn’t play a good game. We were not fresh in attack and missed many shots. The centre forward for Russia took her chances and scored three goals. That hurts a lot. Tomorrow we have to play Australia. It is good to have difficult games on the way to the World Championships in Barcelona. I hope by being the host it is going to push us and help us
Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (RUS) — two goals
“The Spanish team is very interesting. They are experienced and strong. We were prepared and very serious for this match. We knew there was a lot at stake, to be in the top four or not to be in the top four. We had to play as one, as a unit, a fist. We played very well as a team against the Olympic silver medallist.”
Miguel OCA (ESP) — Head Coach
“We didn’t play a good game. We were not fresh in attack and missed many shots. The centre forward for Russia took her chances and scored three goals. That hurts a lot. Tomorrow we have to play Australia. It is good to have difficult games on the way to the World Championships in Barcelona. I hope by being the host it is going to push us and help us
deal
with the pressure.”
Superfinal: Italia, el rival por el 5º puesto ( RFEN )
05/06/2013 - España se medirá a Italia en el duelo por el 5º puesto de la competición, fijado para mañana jueves a las 13:20h (las 7:20h en España). El conjunto transalpino se ha impuesto esta mañana ante Canadá por 9—13. La sorpresa del día ha llegado en el otro extremo del cuadro con la eliminación de Estados Unidos ante China (9—7). El equipo anfitrión se medirá en la final a Rusia, verdugo de Hungría.
Jornada de sorpresas en la recta final de la Liga Mundial. La primera de ellas ha llegado en el cuadro absoluto con la derrota de la gran favorita y medalla de oro en Londres 2012, Estados Unidos, que ha cedido por 9-7 ante la anfitriona. La selección oriental se medirá en la final a Rusia, que de no ganar un encuentro en la primera fase (en la que cosechó tres derrotas) ha pasado a batallar por el oro tras dejar por el camino a Hungría por 12-9.
En la batalla por el 5º puesto, España sigue adelante tras imponerse a Australia en la tanda de penaltis. Su rival en la final será Italia, que ha derrotado a Canadá por 9-13 esta misma mañana.
La jornada final arrancará a las 6 de la madrugada (hora española) con los siguientes encuentros, todos ellos en directo por FINA TV:
7ª y 8ª posición: 12h (6h en España): Australia vs Canadá
5ª y 6ª posición: 13:20h (las 7:20h en España): España vs Italia
3ª y 4ª poisición: 14:40h (las 8:40h en España): Hungría vs Estados Unidos
1ª y 2ª posición: 16h (10h en España): Rusia vs China
Foto: Jaume Teixidó
*****
Super Final 2013 (Women): Spain and USA top groups in Beijing Super Final
Russell McKinnon, FINA Press Commission Member
Spain went three
wins
in regular time in Group B while USA had two wins and a loss in penalty shootout to win Group A. For USA, that first-day loss on penalties to China was enough to head off Hungary (two regular-time wins) and China with one regular win and the victory on penalties, which attracts only two points as opposed to the normal three. Russia, with three losses, was fourth.
In day-three Group B action, Spain needed a goal 14 seconds from time to head off Canada 9-8 and Italy squandered an 11-6 lead for Olympic bronze medallist Australia to level before Italy won 12-11 inside the final minute.
In Group A. USA beat Hungary 12-7 and China tossed out Russia 10-7.
In Tuesday’s quarterfinals, Spain should defeat Russia and USA will face continental neighbour Canada in what could be a traditional, dour encounter. In the cross-overs between the second and third-placed nations, Hungary and Australia will want to bring their A game and China and Italy is unpickable.
Two players and a coach were thrown out during the day with Chinese assistant coach HONG Xicheng given a red card and Roberta BIANCONI (ITA) and Glencora RALPH (AUS) going on a double exclusion for violence in the third quarter of their match. The latter two will be available to play on Tuesday.
Match reports:
Match 9: 15:00, Group B, SPAIN 9 CANADA 8
Quarters: 2-1, 4-2, 2-2, 1-3
Referees: Amber DRURY-PINTO (USA), MENG Anlong (CHN)
Extra Man: ESP: 5/11. CAN: 2/13
Pens: ESP: 0/1
Teams:
SPAIN: Laura ESTER, Marta BACH, Anna ESPAR, Roser TARRAGO (2), Matilda ORTIZ, Jennifer PAREJA (1), Lorena MIRANDA, Pilar PENA (3), Andrea BLAS, One MESEGUER, Maica GARCIA (2), Laura LOPEZ (1), Patricia HERRERA. Head Coach: Miguel OCA.
CANADA: Michele RELTON, Krystina ALOGBO (2), Katrina MONTON, Emma WRIGHT, Monika EGGENS (3), Joelle BEKHAZI, Sophie BARON LA SALLE (1), Dominique PERRAULT (1), Carmen EGGENS, Christine ROBINSON, Stephanie VALIN, Marina RADU (1), Nicola COLTERJOHN. Head Coach: Guy BAKER.
Spain won through control and aggression in front of goal. Solid defence also played its part as the Canadians struggled to get away decent shots, despite a lot of effort. This was especially so in extra-man attack where Canada could do no better than two from 13 attempts.
Spain started strong with Pilar PENA and Maica GARCIA taking the score to 2-0 in less than three minutes. It took until 2:25 before Sophie BARON LA SALLE opened Canada’s scoring, drilling a shot from the top on extra-man advantage.
PENA opened the second quarter on the first attack from extra-man attack and Dominique PERRAULT responded on the next attack, also on extra, for 3-2. Laura LOPEZ on extra and Marina RADU from action, traded goals for 4-3 in Spain’s favour. Then the goals dried up for Canada as Spain dominated. Captain Jennifer PAREJA sent in a slider from the top on extra but hit the crossbar on her penalty attempt one and a half minutes later. Never mind, as on the next Spanish attack, a fine, long pass from goalkeeper Laura ESTER to the fast-breaking Roser TARRAGO, lifted the score to 6-3. TARRAGO lobbed the young Michele RELTON.
GARCIA claimed her second on extra, receiving the ball at 4m and lifting her tall frame high to score on the first Spanish attack of the third period. Canadian captain Krystina ALOGBO scored her first of the tournament from centre forward at 5:35 for 7-4. Canada missed many opportunities with bounce shots that either hit the bar or went over the top. Either way, they did not trouble the keeper. That changed at 2:12 when, after a Canadian timeout, the big-shooting Monika EGGENS sent in a rocket from the left-hand-catch position for a threatening 7-5. EGGENS was ejected at the other end and PENA scored her third for 8-5 to close out the quarter.
Canada had the better of the final quarter with ALOGBO scoring early from two metres and EGGENS striking for a third time on counter-attack from the top. This goal was fortunate as at the other end it appeared a Spanish shot had gone over the line but it was disallowed, From this, Canada countered and scored for 8-7. The game became very interesting and neither side could break through, even when Spain went to a timeout on extra at 3:20. Two players blocked the shooter and ALOGBO came up with the ball. A double exclusion brought nothing, but on the next attack Canada gained an exclusion and went to a timeout at 0:4 9. The ball five times before EGGENS sat up at the top and equalised at 0:33. Looking at a shootout, Spain was not interested and TARRAGO, when unchecked, scored a bouncer from 4m to close out the match with 14 seconds remaining.
ESP vs CAN - credit: Russell McKinnon
Miguel OCA (ESP) — Head Coach
“I was very satisfied with the performance of the team and the attitude especially. The team is always going, never surrendering. Some parts were down, but we got up and going again.”
Laura ESTER (ESP) — Goalkeeper
“Canada is very strong. We knew they could get close or even win. They are a good team.” On the three victories: “We are thinking more about tomorrow’s game (cross-overs). We are taking the tournament step by step. There is a good sensation in the team, but we have to keep working.”
Monika EGGENS (CAN) — Three-goal scorer
“It felt good to get a lot of opportunities (personally). People opened up the game for me. I walked in and shot. We did anything to get the ball into the back of the net. We have had two tough losses, but tomorrow is the most important game and we have to get up and win. We’ll get there.”
Match 10: 16:20, Group A, HUNGARY 7 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 10
Quarters: 1-2, 0-2, 2-6, 4-0
Referees: Alan BALFANBAYEV (KAZ), Jaume TEIXIDO (ESP)
Extra Man: HUN: 4/14. USA: 5/12
Pens: None
Teams:
HUNGARY: Orsolya KASO, Anna ILLES, Dora ANTAL (2), Ibolya MISKOLCZI, Gabriella SZUCS (1), Orsolya TAKACS (1), Brigitta HORVATH, Rita KESZTHELYI, Ildiko TOTH, Barbara BUJKA (2), Krisztina GARDA, Kata MENCZINGER (1), Edina GANGL. Head Coach: Andras MERESZ.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Lauren SILVER (1), Melissa SEIDEMANN (3), Danielle WARDE, Caroline CLARK, Margaret STEFFENS (1), Courtney MATHEWSON, Kiley NEUSHAL (2), Jillian KRAUS, Kelly RULON, Annika DRIES (1), Kameryn CRAIG (2), Tumuaialii ANAE. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
Superb goalkeeping by USA’s Tumuaialii ANAE helped shut Hungary out in a game that USA had won by the end of three periods. Despite a four-goal Hungarian revival in the final quarter, the 16 saves by ANAE proved crucial to the outcome of the game. It was a huge improvement on his first-day outing and puts her in elite class.
Maggie STEFFENS opened the scoring for the USA from the 5m line, only for Hungary to equalise through Dora ANTAL on extra. Kami CRAIG took USA ahead with a centre-forward effort, but there the goals went missing as the next came nine and a half minutes later after a series of wayward shots and good defence. Melissa SEIDEMANN, looking strong at the top when she does not make a foray into centre forward, scored a sneaky goal when the ball was placed just beyond her reach and the passer drove past. SEIDEMANN leaned forward, picked up and turned and shot for 3-1 at 4:28 in the second. Hungary took a timeout to no scoring effect and Lauren SILVER screamed one in from the top of the arc for 4-1 at 0:52, a small halftime scoreline.
Things heated up in the third period as Hungary struck form through a quick Barbara BUJKA two-metre goal, followed by an ANTAL score from wide left when heavily defended. At 4-3 to USA, the game was alive. HOWEVER, and it is a big however, USA went into overdrive and played probably its best water polo of the week with a six-goal streak before the final break. SEIDEMANN scored twice; Annika DRIES had to scramble to the goal as a lob shot over out-of-position goalkeeper Orsolya KASO dropped short of the line, only for DRIES to slap it into goal for 7-3. CRAIG repeated her earlier centre-forward effort and Kylie NEUSHAL scored twice on extra-man attack for 10-3.
Gabriella SZUCS scored the first goal of the fourth quarter for Hungary before four minutes of swimming finally yielded a Kata MENCZINGER shot on extra from the left-hand-catch position. Captain Orsolya TAKACS joined the mini revival for Hungary’s sixth goal off a cross pass at 5m. The seal was placed on the game by BUJKA from the left-hand-catch position at 1:23 and 10-6. Three of the four goals came on extra for Hungary.
HUN vs USA - credit: Russell McKinnon
Adam KRIKORIAN (USA) — Head Coach
“Hungary can play much better than that, but our goalkeeper (Tumuaialii ANAE) played excellently. We got to a comfort level and getting ready for the quarter-finals. We showed signs of fatigue and need to lift pour
fitness
levels. It’s great to play six games in six days. The level will get better as we go one and prepare for the World Championships.”
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — Head Coach
“It was a very hard game because USA is the Olympic champion team. I think my team was very tired and lost concentration in the second and third periods. Once again, like yesterday, our last period was very good. I hope we can play a non-European team in the quarterfinals as we play European teams all the time, at European Championships etc. Congratulations to USA on their Olympic gold medal, but congratulations also for this game.”
Ibolya MISKOLCZI (HUN) — 18 and one of four newcomers to the team this year
“We are very tired and would like to win the next game. This was a very hard game and we need to concentrate more. USA is very strong.”
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — Head Coach
“It was a very hard game because USA is the Olympic champion team. I think my team was very tired and lost concentration in the second and third periods. Once again, like yesterday, our last period was very good. I hope we can play a non-European team in the quarterfinals as we play European teams all the time, at European Championships etc. Congratulations to USA on their Olympic gold medal, but congratulations also for this game.”
Ibolya MISKOLCZI (HUN) — 18 and one of four newcomers to the team this year
“We are very tired and would like to win the next game. This was a very hard game and we need to concentrate more. USA is very strong.”
Match 11: 19:00, Group B, ITALY 12 AUSTRALIA 11
Quarters: 4-3, 3-1, 4-2, 1-5
Referees: Balasz FEKETE (HUN), Kunihiro MAKIHASHI (JPN)
Extra Man: ITA:
Pens: ITA: 2/3. AUS: 2/2
Teams:
ITALY: Elena GIGLI, Francesca POMERI, Arianna GARIBOTTI (2), Federica RADICCHI, Elisa QUEIROLO (1), Rosaria AIELLO, Tania DI MARIO (2), Roberta BIANCONI (3), Giulia EMMOLO (3), Valeria PALMIERI, Aleksandra COTTI (1), Teresa FRASSINETTI, Giulia GORLERO. Head Coach: Fabio CONTI.
AUSTRALIA: Lea BARTA, Jayde APPEL, Hannah BUCKLING, Holly LINCOLN-SMITH (1), Isobel BISHOP (2), Bronwen KNOX (1), Rowena WEBSTER (3), Glencora RALPH, Zoe ARANCINI (2), Ashleigh SOUTHERN (1), Keesja GOFERS, Nicola ZAGAME (1), Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Greg McFADDEN.
Italy won an “ugly” match 12-11 after taking Olympic bronze medallist Australia to the cleaners in the second and third quarters, shooting to 10-5 and 11-6 by the end of the third period. Italian star Roberta BIANCONI and Australian Olympian Glencora RALPH were rolled for fighting late in third period.
Australia may have had the lead at 2-1 in the first quarter, but by the first break it was 4-3 in Italy’s favour. Captain Tania DI MARIO scored the first Italian goal after having her earlier penalty shot stopped by Australian goalkeeper Kelsey WAKEFIELD, followed by Roberta BIANCONI, who scored six yesterday, netting the next two. Aleksandra COTTI scored the fourth on extra. Isobel BISHOP on extra and Aussie Stingers captain Bronwen KNOX converting a penalty gave Australia the lead. At 4-2 down, Holly LINCOLN-SMITH scored a backhand goal from centre forward 15 seconds from time.
DI MARIO and BIANCONI both scored from outside and Elisa QUEIROLO converted a penalty for her first of the week and 7-3. Ashleigh SOUTHERN scored on extra for Australia and her coach called a timeout in the latter stages of the half, with no goal eventuating.
Rowena WEBSTER converted a penalty to start the third quarter and then Arianna GARIBOTTI netted twice, from deep left and the penalty line. Italy called a timeout and, after the exclusion period, Giulia EMMOLO scored. WEBSTER tapped on an pass for an extra-man goal at 2:12 and EMMOLO completed the period on extra when a player from each team (BIANCONI and RALPH) was ejected. Italy had the lead at 11-6.
Zoe ARANCINI scored twice to start the fourth period, bringing Australia to within three of Italy. The first goal came on counter and the second on extra from her favoured deep-right-wing position. BISHOP replaced her in that position and scored the next goal on extra. Webster scored on extra at 4:02 and it was 11-10. Italy slowed the game with a timeout at 3:24 but it was Nicola ZAGAME who scored the equaliser for Australia on extra. Italy was not to be denied and EMMOLO converted extra at 0:51 for 12-11 and what was the victory. She had scored three consecutive goals.
ITA vs AUS - credit: Russell McKinnon
Fabio CONTI (ITA) — Head Coach
“We played very well against Australia, of course, who after the Olympic Games, I regarded as the best team in the world. Only our experience helped us to stay in this game and play harder and we have only had five days of
training
before this tournament.”
Greg McFADDEN (AUS) — Head Coach
“We rushed and panicked in the first to third quarters and didn’t adapt to what they were playing. The last quarter was great but we should have come away with a draw (and forced a shootout). Hungary (Tuesday opponent) is just another game for us and we will
Greg McFADDEN (AUS) — Head Coach
“We rushed and panicked in the first to third quarters and didn’t adapt to what they were playing. The last quarter was great but we should have come away with a draw (and forced a shootout). Hungary (Tuesday opponent) is just another game for us and we will
deal
with it as a team.”
Glencora RALPH (AUS) — Suspended for fighting in third quarter
“We didn’t play to our game plan or what I could see through a peep hole as we (her and BIANCONI) were kicked out for fighting. The ball was forced into centre forward and we didn’t capitalise on our opportunities. We took wrong shot options on attack. However, it was completely different in the fourth quarter.”
Match 12: 17:40, Group A, RUSSIA 10 CHINA 13
Quarters: 2-4, 1-3, 4-4, 3-2
Referees: Marie-Claude DESLIERES (CAN), Andrew CARNEY (AUS)
Extra Man: RUS: 4/11. CHN: 3/8
Pens: CHN: 1/1
Teams:
RUSSIA: Anna USTYUKHINA. Diana ANTONOVA, Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (1), Elvina KARIMOVA, Alexandra ANTONOVA (1), Olga BELOVA (1), Ekaterina LISUNOVA (3), Anna GRINEVA, Anna TIMOFEEVA (1), Olga BELIAEVA, Evgeniya IVANOVA (3), Ksenia KRIMER, Anna KARNAUKH. Head Coach: Mikhail NAKORYAKOV.
CHINA: YANG Jun, TENG Fei (3), LIU Ping, SUN Yujun (1), HE Jin (1), SUN Yating, SONG Donglun (1), ZHU Yajing (1), MEI Xiaohan, MA Huanhuan (3), ZHANG Cong (2), ZHANG Lei (1), WANG Ying. Head Coach: Alexander KLEYMENOV.
China kept Russia winless and secured third position in the process with a thrilling second victory. Unfortunately the tight group means finishing no better than third. With MA Huanhuan setting the pace for China with three goals and Russia’s Ekaterina LISUNOVA leading the Russian charge, the game was an excellent example of Europe versus Asia.
China may have opened the game quickly, but Russia was equal to the task in front of the smallest Chinese crowd so far — about 500. MA Huanhuan, so often the long-distance assault weapon for China, started and ZHU Yajing followed on extra soon after. However, Ekaterina LISUNOVA interlaced China’s goals with the first on extra and the second on counter attack. That was at 5:10 and it wasn’t until 1:38 that MA converted a penalty. ZHANG Cong scored from top on extra to make it 4-2 by quarter time.
SONG Donglun and Russian captain Evgeniya IVANOVA swapped goals before TENG Fei scored twice to take China out to 7-3 in the second quarter. China’s assistant coach HONG Xicheng, the former long-standing Chinese national goalkeeper, was red-carded.
In the third period, Anna TIMOFEEVA and Olga BELOVA brought the match back to 7-5 with the former shooting from 7m and BELOVA finishing the sweetest aerial passing move in front of goal. HE Jin did what she does best at centre forward on extra for 8-5. IVANOVA responded and China brought its No 13 goalkeeper, WANG Ying into the match. TENG squeezed the ball into the bottom right and SUN Yujun scored on counter for 10-6. Russia called a timeout and Alexandra ANTONOVA converted the extra-man chance. ZHANG Lei scored her first goal of the tournament with a centre-forward backhand shot. And China had the lead at the final break at 11-7. Russia also made a goalkeeper change from Anna USTYUKHINA to Anna KARNAUKH.
IVANOVA scored from well outside to start the fourth quarter, but MA was also accurate from the top. LISUNOVA came off the bench to score on extra for 12-9. ZHANG Cong sent in a deflected shot from the deep left for 13-9 and Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA broke her drought with a shot from the top on double extra for 13-10. China went to a timeout and two attempts at goal failed. Russia, in turn tried the ploy and China took its second to settle the team ahead of the victory.
Glencora RALPH (AUS) — Suspended for fighting in third quarter
“We didn’t play to our game plan or what I could see through a peep hole as we (her and BIANCONI) were kicked out for fighting. The ball was forced into centre forward and we didn’t capitalise on our opportunities. We took wrong shot options on attack. However, it was completely different in the fourth quarter.”
Match 12: 17:40, Group A, RUSSIA 10 CHINA 13
Quarters: 2-4, 1-3, 4-4, 3-2
Referees: Marie-Claude DESLIERES (CAN), Andrew CARNEY (AUS)
Extra Man: RUS: 4/11. CHN: 3/8
Pens: CHN: 1/1
Teams:
RUSSIA: Anna USTYUKHINA. Diana ANTONOVA, Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (1), Elvina KARIMOVA, Alexandra ANTONOVA (1), Olga BELOVA (1), Ekaterina LISUNOVA (3), Anna GRINEVA, Anna TIMOFEEVA (1), Olga BELIAEVA, Evgeniya IVANOVA (3), Ksenia KRIMER, Anna KARNAUKH. Head Coach: Mikhail NAKORYAKOV.
CHINA: YANG Jun, TENG Fei (3), LIU Ping, SUN Yujun (1), HE Jin (1), SUN Yating, SONG Donglun (1), ZHU Yajing (1), MEI Xiaohan, MA Huanhuan (3), ZHANG Cong (2), ZHANG Lei (1), WANG Ying. Head Coach: Alexander KLEYMENOV.
China kept Russia winless and secured third position in the process with a thrilling second victory. Unfortunately the tight group means finishing no better than third. With MA Huanhuan setting the pace for China with three goals and Russia’s Ekaterina LISUNOVA leading the Russian charge, the game was an excellent example of Europe versus Asia.
China may have opened the game quickly, but Russia was equal to the task in front of the smallest Chinese crowd so far — about 500. MA Huanhuan, so often the long-distance assault weapon for China, started and ZHU Yajing followed on extra soon after. However, Ekaterina LISUNOVA interlaced China’s goals with the first on extra and the second on counter attack. That was at 5:10 and it wasn’t until 1:38 that MA converted a penalty. ZHANG Cong scored from top on extra to make it 4-2 by quarter time.
SONG Donglun and Russian captain Evgeniya IVANOVA swapped goals before TENG Fei scored twice to take China out to 7-3 in the second quarter. China’s assistant coach HONG Xicheng, the former long-standing Chinese national goalkeeper, was red-carded.
In the third period, Anna TIMOFEEVA and Olga BELOVA brought the match back to 7-5 with the former shooting from 7m and BELOVA finishing the sweetest aerial passing move in front of goal. HE Jin did what she does best at centre forward on extra for 8-5. IVANOVA responded and China brought its No 13 goalkeeper, WANG Ying into the match. TENG squeezed the ball into the bottom right and SUN Yujun scored on counter for 10-6. Russia called a timeout and Alexandra ANTONOVA converted the extra-man chance. ZHANG Lei scored her first goal of the tournament with a centre-forward backhand shot. And China had the lead at the final break at 11-7. Russia also made a goalkeeper change from Anna USTYUKHINA to Anna KARNAUKH.
IVANOVA scored from well outside to start the fourth quarter, but MA was also accurate from the top. LISUNOVA came off the bench to score on extra for 12-9. ZHANG Cong sent in a deflected shot from the deep left for 13-9 and Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA broke her drought with a shot from the top on double extra for 13-10. China went to a timeout and two attempts at goal failed. Russia, in turn tried the ploy and China took its second to settle the team ahead of the victory.
RUS vs CHN - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Alexander KLEYMENOV (RUS) — China Head Coach
“Tomorrow we play Australia so it will be tough.”
Olga BELIAEVA (RUS) — Centre Forward
“We lost many balls from the second line and our defence was not so good. Also, we did not throw as many shots in attack, but we tried to play our own game. We did not follow the tactics our coach told us. We play Spain tomorrow (in the quarter-finals). They have very experienced players and are very good linking together. They are also very fast. I think we must know our rival and I think we can do everything to win.”
*****
España derrota a Australia en los penaltis (RFEN)
05/06/2013 - La Selección Femenina se ha clasificado para la final por el 5º puesto de la Superfinal de la Liga Mundial de waterpolo femenino tras derrotar a Australia en la tanda de penaltis. En un encuentro igualado a 10 al término de los 32 minutos reglamentarios, dos paradas de Laura Ester en la tanda de lanzamientos de cinco metros han dado el billete a las nuestras. España se medirá a Canadá o Italia mañana a las 7:20h, hora española, en directo por FINA TV.
España ha arrancado el encuentro enchufada en el partido ante Australia, la segunda vez que las dos selecciones se encontraban en este torneo y que suponía una excelente piedra de toque de cara a Barcelona 2013. La Selección ha anotado en su tercer ataque gracias a Pili Peña, tanto al que ha seguido uno de Anni Espar a la contra. Australia ha recortado distancias mediante Southern, una de sus jugadoras más destacadas, en una jugada en superioridad.
Al inicio de la segunda manga, España ha logrado su máxima renta (1-4) gracias a dos acciones de Jenny
Las alternativas entre uno y otro equipo se han sucedido en la tercera manga. La defensa española seguía contando sus acciones por expulsiones (han llegado a acumular 12 en todo el encuentro, por sólo cuatro favorables), muchas de ellas muy protestadas por Miki Oca y el banco español, y el ataque se encomendaba al acierto de las nuestras desde el arco. Al 7-7 australiano ha seguido un parcial final de 0-2 favorable a las nuestras, con un gran gol de Roser Tarragó desde seis metros y la tercera diana de Pili Peña a 23 segundos de la bocina.
España ha mantenido la ventaa de dos goles hasta que el cronómetro ha señalado que restaban dos minutos para la conclusión. Tras el 9-10, los colegiados han sancionado una nueva acción defensiva española con expulsión temporal, que Webster ha aprovechado para enviar al fondo de la red el 10-10. En la recta final del choque, uno y otro equipo han tenido una opción de anotar, aunque la resolución ha quedado aplazada a los lanzamientos de penalti.
En esta tanda decisiva, Ona Meseguer ha puesto el primero con facilidad, acción a la que ha seguido la primera parada de Laura Ester. El 0-2 ha sido obra de Andrea Blas, un tanto que dejaba el pase muy cerca. Tras el 1-2 Australiano, Roser Tarragó ha enviado su lanzamiento a la madera, lo que dejaba el empate en manos australianas. Sin embargo, la guardameta española ha vuelto a sacar una mano que daba medio pase a la final a las españolas. España ya no erraría desde entonces, resolviendo la tanda de penaltis con un 3-4 definitivo que dejaba el marcador final del choque en 13-14.
España se medirá mañana a las 13:20 (las 7:20 en España) al ganador del duelo entre Canadá e Italia.
*****
Las semifinales de la Liga Mundial, por FINA TV ( RFEN )
04/06/2013 - Fina TV emitirá desde mañana los cuatro encuentros de semifinales de la Liga Mundial. A partir de las 8:40h abrirá fuego el España—Australia que inicia la batalla de las jugadoras españolas por el 5º puesto. Acto seguido se ofrecerán el Canadá—Italia y los dos encuentros por las medallas: Hungría—Rusia y Estados Unidos—China. Enlace en la noticia.Enlace para seguir los encuentros
*****
España, fuera de la lucha por las medallas ( RFEN )
04/06/2013 - La Selección Femenina ha caído por 11—9 ante Rusia en el encuentro de Cuartos de Final de la Liga Mundial de Waterpolo y queda, con ello, fuera de la pelea por las medallas. El conjunto de Miki Oca se medirá, pues, por el 5º puesto a partir de mañana ante Australia a las 14:40 hora china (las 8:40h) en España en directo por FINA TV.
No pudo ser. En un nuevo choque muy igualado, Rusia ha apartado a España de la carrera por las medallas en la Superfinal de Pekín. El conjunto dirigido por Miki Oca ha llegado con un gol de desventaja al momento final del choque, momento en que se ha producido la jugada polémica del choque. Con posesión a favor, el Seleccionador ha reclamado tiempo muerto, que los colegiados han sancionado como reclamado fuera de tiempo. En consecuencia, han sancionado lanzamiento de cinco metros contrario que ha dado el 11-9 a Rusia. España ha considerado reclamar ante la FINA por esta acción, opción finalmente desestimada.
En los otros encuentros de la jornada, Hungría ha derrotado a Australia en la tanda de penaltis para clasificarse para semifinales, donde se encontrará con Rusia. Estados Unidos también avanza tras derrocar a Canadá por un ajustado 6-5, y se medirá a China, que se ha impuesto a Italia por 8-5.
España iniciará la lucha por la 5ª posición mañana a las 8:40h a Australia. El ganador jugará el jueves con el vencedor del Canadá-Italia, que se jugará a continuación. Todos los encuentros pueden seguirse en directo por streaming a través de FINA TV
*****
España, tercera victoria y liderato de grupo ( RFEN )
03/06/2013 - La Selección Femenina se ha impuesto a Canadá por 9—8 en el último encuentro de la fase regular de la Liga Mundial de waterpolo, celebrado esta mañana en China. El conjunto de Miki Oca se asegura matemáticamente con ello el liderato del Grupo B, y espera rival (China o Rusia) para la fase de cuartos, prevista mañana.
Con la tercera victoria por la mínima en esta Superfinal, España ha certificado el pase a los cuartos de final como único conjunto invicto del Grupo B. El conjunto de Miki Oca ha derrotado a Canadá por 9-8 en el choque inaugural de la tercera jornada, y se medirá mañana en cuartos a las 19 horas de China (la una del mediodía en España) a Rusia o China, que juegan en estos momentos.
*****
Super Final 2013 (Women): Euro teams prove their worth on day two
Russell McKinnon, FINA Press Commission Member
BEIJING, China (June 2) - European teams Spain, Hungary and Italy had one-goal victories on day two of the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final at the Water Cube in Beijing. It was the second day that three games went to the wire, but there were no penalty shootouts, although the last game of the night came within three seconds of doing so.
In Group A, after Olympic champion United States of America sent off Russia 13-9, Hungary had to come from behind to beat China 14-13 with a 5-3 final quarter. Gabriella SZUCS scored the winning goal 16 seconds from time. It was Hungary’s second
win
in regulation time while for the USA it was the first, having lost to China on penalties the night before.
In Group B, Olympic silver medallist Spain gained a second win after dispensing with Olympic bronze medallist Australia 10-9 after the Aussie Stingers led 8-7 at the final break. Try as it might, Australia brought the margin back to one goal inside the final 100 seconds, but could not force a shootout.
In the night’s final game Canada went five up against Italy only to see the lead whittled and then decimated with a minute to go. The winning goal came from Giulia EMMOLO with three seconds remaining in a foul-marred game where Roberta BIANCONI scored six goals — including five consecutive for her team in the second half — and Canada’s Joelle BEKHAZI netted five.
On day three, Hungary and USA will settle the Group A supremacy, while one-win China will be hoping to beat winless Russia. In Group B, undefeated Spain must be fancied over winless Canada while Australia and Italy, both on three points, will fight for what could be second place.
Match reports:
Match 5: 15:00, Group A, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 13 RUSSIA 9
Quarters: 5-2, 4-2, 3-1, 1-4
Referees: Marie-Claude DESLIERES (CAN), Massimo SAVARESE (ITA)
Extra Man: USA: 4/6. RUS: 3/10
Pens: USA: 1/1
Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Lauren SILVER, Melissa SEIDEMANN (1), Danielle WARDE, Caroline CLARK, Margaret STEFFENS (2), Courtney MATHEWSON (3), Kiley NEUSHAL (2), Jillian KRAUS (1), Kelly RULON (1), Annika DRIES (1), Kameryn CRAIG (2), Tumuaialii ANAE. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
RUSSIA: Anna USTYUKHINA, Diana ANTONOVA, Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA, Elvina KARIMOVA, Alexandra ANTONOVA (1), Olga BELOVA (2), Ekaterina LISUNOVA (3), Anna GRINEVA, Anna TIMOFEEVA, Olga BELIAEVA (2), Evgeniya IVANOVA (1), Ksenia KRIMER, Anna KARNAUKH. Head Coach: Mikhail NAKORYAKOV.
USA bounced back from its surprise sudden-death penalty shootout loss to China on day one, by recording an emphatic score. The pressure was on Russia from the start as USA scored early on each attack, preferring to change the scoreboard as often as possible. The mistakes were fewer than day one and the team looked far more cohesive. The desperation of the first game was replaced by determination.
Kami CRAIG (extra), Maggie STEFFENS (penalty and Kelly RULON (10m lob) gave USA the impetus it required. Russia was working hard and was rewarded with consecutive goals through Alexandra ANTONOVA and Ekaterina LISUNOVA. The second goal was an excellent counter attack where Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA flicked the ball left for LISUNOVA to finish. At 0:55, the quarter was not over, for USA at least. STEFFENS scored from the deep left at 0:42 and Melissa SEIDEMANN shoveled in a centre-forward goal with 11 seconds left on the clock.
The second quarter was just as frenetic with Courtney MATHEWSON starting her good run off a cross pass. CRAIG grabbed a second at centre forward and USA was 7-2 up. Olga BELIAEVA scored a deflected shot on extra but MATHEWSON and Kiley NEUSHAL took the margin to 9-3. Russian head coach Mikhail NAKORYAKOV, who tasted golden success with the Russian youth team in the 2009 FINA Youth World Championships in Siberia, called a timeout late in the period and Olga BELOVA scored on extra for 9-4.
MATHEWSON opened the third period from centre forward but nearly halfway through. Russia took a second timeout and LISUNOVA scored, but after the exclusion period. Jillian KRAUS scored her first goal of the tournament on extra from deep left and NEUSHAL cleaned up some scrappy ball with a snap backhand from 3m for 12-5 at 1:44, the final score of the period.
It was all Russia in the final quarter, lifting its game as USA took the foot off the pedal. BELOVA (one on one) and BELIAEVA (centre forward) took the score to 12-7 inside four minutes. Evgeniya IVANOVA scored from 9m before DRIES responded at centre forward. LISUNOVA accepted a cross pass when she had inside water to score the final goal for 13-9, scoring that Russia will be a force this year. USA had the game, however, looking sharp and in control at all times.
USA vs RUS - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Adam KRIKORIAN (USA) — Head Coach
“It was better than yesterday, defensively especially. We relaxed a little bit in the fourth quarter. Russia is so fast and they can score so quickly so next time we will have to be careful. We created faster goals and were more aggressive (than against China) and were less hesitant. We were very passive yesterday.”
Erkin SHAGAEV (AUS) — Russia adviser and 1980 Olympic champion for USSR
“It’s a new Olympic cycle with a new head coach and their first major tournament. Obviously, it’s not the game exactly to script but, no dramas, we will improve, gain experience and learn every situation they find themselves in. The final quarter was close to how the head coach wants to play. We kept going.”
Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (RUS) — Athlete
“The first half we allowed them a large margin. They were stronger today. That was a bit of a surprise to us. We still wanted to show the Russian fighting spirit and to keep going to the end of the match. However, we were not satisfied with the result.”
Match 6: 16:20, Group B, SPAIN 10 AUSTRALIA 9
Quarters: 2-2, 4-3, 1-3, 3-1
Referees: Maro SAVINOVIC (CRO), Edmundo RODRIGUES (BRA)
Extra Man: ESP: 5/10. AUS: 4/6
Pens: ESP: 2/2. AUS 1/1
Teams:
SPAIN: Laura ESTER, Marta BACH, Anna ESPAR (4), Roser TARRAGO (1), Matilda ORTIZ, Jennifer PAREJA, (2) Lorena MIRANDA, Pilar PENA, Andrea BLAS, One MESEGUER, Maica GARCIA (3), Laura LOPEZ, Patricia HERRERA. Head Coach: Miguel OCA.
AUSTRALIA: Lea BARTA, Jayde APPEL, Hannah BUCKLING, Holly LINCOLN-SMITH, Isobel BISHOP, Bronwen KNOX (2), Rowena WEBSTER (3), Glencora RALPH (2), Zoe ARANCINI, Ashleigh SOUTHERN, Keesja GOFERS, Nicola ZAGAME (2), Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Greg McFADDEN.
Spain made it two from two, having to come back from 8-7 down at the final break to score three consecutive goals and hold out a late-charging Australia.
Goals were traded in the first quarter with Spain netting first throw Lorena MIRANDA on extra. Glencora RALPH responded on counter, while Spanish captain Jennifer PAREJA converted a penalty. Rowena WEBSTER converted extra for 2-2 at 3:35, the final goal of the period.
Nicola ZAGAME sent Australia ahead from the top, but Anna ESPAR levelled on extra. RALPH gained her second with a penalty for a second Australian lead. Spain struck back with a vengeance through two ESPAR goals either side of a PAREJA penalty for a 6-4 advantage. Australia responded through a fast series of passes that reached captain Bronwen KNOX on the hand in centre forward. She turned and scored with two second left to trail 6-5.
Roser TARRAGO opened the third period for Spain from the top for 7-5. Two and a half minutes later WEBSTER scored from deep left and after an Australian timeout, KNOX converted extra-man attack for 7-7, scoring a donut over the goalkeeper’s head from point blank range. WEBSTER gave the Aussie Stingers an 8-7 lead at 1:46 to close the period’s scoring.
Spain used a timeout to score but it came three seconds after the exclusion time. No matter, It was the 8-8 leveller from Carmen GARCIA. ESPAR grabbed her fourth — the first person to do so in a single match — with a bouncer from 6m. GARCIA netted a second two minutes after her first for 10-8, on extra at 3:11. Australia called a second timeout at 1:53 and ZAGAME scored under the goalkeeper’s right arm for 10-9 at 1:37. Both teams tried desperately to score, but could not and Spain had a second win.
AUS vs ESP - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Greg McFADDEN (AUS) — Head Coach
“We were up (when referring to 8-7 ahead before Spain scored three straight for 10-8), It was dumb play and you don’t know what the referees will call. It makes it tougher for us and we have to work harder. We want to win the tournament.”
Nicola ZAGAME (AUS) — two-goal scorer
“We were one for one for most of the match. We had to come back and go in front. They scored a few in the final quarter and we couldn’t get it back. Our team was a little bit frantic and we communicated too much. We didn’t know who should do what. We will be clear and precise in future games.”
Miguel OCA (ESP) — Head Coach
“It was a good victory against Australia, one of the biggest teams in the world. We must keep it up (referring to a second win). We had to move fast against Australia, especially in defence. We player very calm on attack. We needed to do that because we know Australia is very fast on contra.”
Maica GARCIA (ESP) — three goals
“We concentrated in this game. It was very difficult, but we were intelligent and calm in our attack. It’s OK to have two victories, but we are taking (this tournament) by
degrees
and we have to just keep our feet on the ground.”
Match 7: 17:40, Group A, HUNGARY 14 CHINA 13
Quarters: 4-3, 4-4, 1-3, 5-3
Referees: Jaume TEIXIDO (ESP), Kunihiro MAKIHASHI (JPN)
Extra Man: HUN: 3/6. CHN: 8/14
Pens: CHN: 1/1
Teams:
HUNGARY: Orsolya KASO, Anna ILLES, Dora ANTAL (1), Ibolya MISKOLCZI, Gabriella SZUCS (3), Orsolya TAKACS (2), Brigitta HORVATH (1), Rita KESZTHELYI (1), Ildiko TOTH (1), Barbara BUJKA (3), Krisztina GARDA, Kata MENCZINGER (2), Edina GANGL. Head Coach: Andras MERESZ.
CHINA: YANG Jun, TENG Fei (1), LIU Ping (3), SUN Yujun (2), HE Jin (1), SUN Yating (1), SONG Donglun (1), ZHU Yajing (1), MEI Xiaohan, MA Huanhuan (2), ZHANG Cong (1), ZHANG Lei, WANG Ying. Head Coach: Alexander KLEYMENOV.
Hungary squandered a 7-4 lead midway through the second quarter and lost the lead midway through the third to China. Hungary had to level three more times before grabbing back the ascendancy three times in the final quarter with the winning goal from Gabriella SZUCS 16 seconds from full time.
The first four goals were traded with Gabriella SZUCS starting the momentum for Hungary. LIU Ping, Barbara BUJKA and MA Huanhuan from the penalty line, had the game at 2-2 and the 2000-strong crowd was happy. Even happier when SUN Yating scored at centre forward but not happy when Brigitta HORVATH and SZUCS gave Hungary a 4-3 lead at the quarter break. The last came from 8m with 14 seconds left.
Dora ANTAL and BUJKA at centre forward had the game well and truly the way of the Europeans at 6-3. TENG Fei on extra and Rita KESZTHELYI on a cross pass, had the game at 7-4. LIU scored a second and it was halfway through the quarter. International newcomer ZHU Yajing scored from the top on extra and another debutante, ZHANG Cong, scored off a rebound for 7-7 at 1:38. Half a minute later, Kata MENCZINGER gave Hungary the halftime lead at 8-7 on extra.
The game swung China’s way in the third period when LIU with her third and HE Jin on extra made it 9-8. Hungarian captain Orsolya TAKACS levelled from 7m, but SUN Yujun made up for missing her first shot on the attack by scoring her second attempt for 10-9 at 1:47.
Hungary caught up quickly in the final quarter through BUJKA, 18 seconds into the final quarter. SONG Donglun converted extra-man attack and TAKACS replied for the third goal in less than a minute. One and a half minutes later Ildiko TOTH was smothered at centre forward but backhanded in a goal for 12-11. MA, the best player at the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai, scored from the top for 12-12, thrilling the crowd. China went to a timeout at 4:36, but not on extra. Tensions mounted and China hit the upright on extra. Hungary also had trouble penetrating WANG Ying’s goalkeeping defence. China again hit the left upright on extra. With no goal for two and a half minutes, probably the most miserly of the match, Hungary went to a timeout. Hungary earned an exclusion and MENCZINGER took her team ahead at 2:00. SUN Yating scored on extra at 1:37 and the 13-13 score made the finish exciting. Both teams lost the ball on attack and then Hungary struggled to get another shot away. It was left to SZUCS to send in a shot from 9m, which she did for 14-13 at 0:16. China had a timeout. MA had the last shot on foul and was fouled but the game ended with Hungary on top.
HUN vs CHN - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — Head Coach
“The third period we were in deep ‘Wally’, but we showed we could get up in the game. It was a very difficult period (won 3-1 by China) and some players who did not play well in that quarter played better in the fourth. It showed spirit to win the game, which is very important.”
Gabriella SZUCS (Hun) — winning goal-scorer
“It was a very important goal and I was very happy I scored it for my team. It was a close game and I am happy we could play the whole game (to a high level). The first part and the end part were the best for us. We could play what we wanted. Our goalkeeper (KASO) played very well, as did the defenders. China is very strong and pressed, too. However, we played for us more, not one on one. We had teamwork. This was the most important thing.”
Match 8: 19:00, Group B, CANADA 17 ITALY 18
Quarters: 5-2, 6-6, 2-4, 4-6
Referees: Balasz FEKETE (HUN), MENG Anlong (CHN)
Extra Man: CAN: 3/6. ITA 11/16
Pens: CAN: 2/3. ITA: 2/2
Teams:
CANADA: Michele RELTON, Krystina ALOGBO, Katrina MONTON (1), Emma WRIGHT (3), Monika EGGENS (2), Joelle BEKHAZI (5), Sophie BARON LA SALLE (3), Dominique PERRAULT (3), Carmen EGGENS, Christine ROBINSON, Stephanie VALIN, Marina RADU, Nicola COLTERJOHN. Head Coach: Guy BAKER.
ITALY: Elena GIGLI, Francesca POMERI, Arianna GARIBOTTI (4), Federica RADICCHI (1), Elisa QUEIROLO (1), Rosaria AIELLO, Tania DI MARIO (3), Roberta BIANCONI (6), Giulia EMMOLO (1), Valeria PALMIERI (1), Aleksandra COTTI (1), Teresa FRASSINETTI, Giulia GORLERO. Head Coach: Fabio CONTI.
Canada was beaten by the mounting foul count after leading 11-6 late in the second quarter. With a staggering 16 fouls against, Italy converted an amazing 11 while Canada could muster just three goals from six attempts. The foul count was the difference in the match, a match Canada should have won and had the chances to do so.
Canada started the scoring through Joelle BEKHAZI and she could have made it 2-1 but had her penalty attempt blocked by Eleni GIGLI, the 2004 Olympic champion. Emma WRIGHT with a slider and Dominique PERRAULT had Canada 3-1 up with Federica RADICCHI the only thorn, scoring on extra for Italy. Aleksandra COTTI pulled another back, but PERRAULT and Sophie BARRON LA SALLE, from the top, gave Canada comfortable 5-2, quarter-time margin.
BEKHAZI scored her second penalty attempt at the top of the second period and Katrina MONTON hit the scorer’s sheet with a goal in between two Arianna GARIBOTTI strikes for 7-4. WRIGHT scored a pair for 9-4. Giulia EMMOLO, BARON LA SALLE and Roberta BIANCONI, with a big lob, traded goals for 10-6. The frenetic pace of the period saw BEKHAZI drill her third goal for 11-6 with two minutes left in the half. Italy stepped up and Tania DI MARIO, another survivor from the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, narrowed the score. GARIBOTTI converted a penalty attempt in the last five seconds and Italy had become a viable opponent at 11-8.
Neither side could breach the defence in the third so Italian head coach Fabio CONTI called a timeout on extra at 4:45. A shot off the crossbar and then into the goalkeeper negated any opportunity. However, on the next attack, GARIBOTTI made it her fourth for 11-9 at 3:24. The game became even more interesting when BIANCONI scored her second (extra) and third (deep left) goals either side of BEKHAZI’s fourth (top on extra) for 12-11 at 1:35, Monika EGGENS scored on extra at 0:24. The last score of the period came from super shot BIANCONI from top on extra for her fourth goal and third in under two and a half minutes.
EGGENS started the fourth period with a missile from 10m and BARRON LA SALLE emulated the feat, but from 9m, having her shot deflect off BIANCONI’s defensive arm, wrong-footing GIGLI and it was 15-12. BIANCONI scored again, 24 seconds later, for 15-13, and for her fifth goal. Left-hander PERRAULT netted her third to take the margin to three again, but, and there is a but, BIANCONI sat up at right-hand catch, on extra, to claim her sixth — and her team’s fifth consecutive — and 16-14. Captain DI MARIO scored, but Canadian captain Krystina ALOGBO drew a penalty and BEKHAZI scored her fifth for 17-15. Valeria PALMIERI continued the see-saw match to bring Italy to 17-16 at 3:05. Canada called a timeout at 1:59 when on extra, but could not score, gaining another extra-man chance and Christine ROBINSON’s shot blocked by GIGLI. Teresa FRASSINETTI drew a third major foul on ROBINSON and DI MARIO went to the penalty, earning the 17-17 draw right on the final minute. Canada went to its second timeout. The ball finally got to ALOGBO at two metres and her shot, well taken, smashed into GIGLI. Italy called timeout at 0:30. The ball worked around and FRASSINETTI earned an exclusion at 0:18. With just three seconds on the clock, EMMOLO shot the winner for a remarkable 18-17 victory.
CAN vs ITA - credit: Russell McKinnon
FLASH QUOTES:
Fabio CONTI (ITA) — Head Coach
“Yesterday we had a mind to work toward Barcelona. Today we tried something different with our defence but it became difficult. After halftime we went back to our usual defence and the game changed. I am still not happy with the mind of my team, especially when five goals down. To be a strong team we have to be strong in the mind. This was the first time in 2013 that my girls have done this.”
Roberta BIANCONI (ITA) — six goals
“It was a very hard game. By the end of the game we can see the spirit of this group. If you can do this against a strong team like Canada when five goals down, we can be a great group. We have spoken about the mentality of the team and working on our concentration. Little mistakes we can’t do in a tournament like this. The mentality of the team changed in the second half.”
Joelle BEKHAZI (CAN) — five goals
“Coming after yesterday we decided we wanted to play our game and not anyone else’s. We have to buy into our new system and new coach and see what we can do. The ejections were probably two to one against (actually, nearly three to one) and that was a problem. We had no problem converting our chance. We were not pleased with our power play defence, but I am proud of our team for fighting to the end. It’s a good step forward.”
*****USA vs RUS - credit: Russell McKinnon
AUS vs ESP - credit: Russell McKinnon
HUN vs CHN - credit: Russell McKinnon
CAN vs ITA - credit: Russell McKinnon
Superfinal: Rusia, rival de España en cuartos (RFEN)
03/06/2013 - España se medirá a Rusia, cuarto clasificado del Grupo A, a las 13 horas de mañana en los cuartos de final de la Superfinal de la Liga Mundial Femenina de Pekín, China. El ganador se medirá a Hungría o Australia en semifinales. En el otro grupo, Estados Unidos ha arrebatado el liderato a la selección magiar y se enfrentará a Canadá en Cuartos.
El único equipo invicto de la competición contra otro que busca todavía su primera victoria. Rusia será el rival en los cuartos de final de la Superfinal de la Liga Mundial, un rival que está viviendo un torneo muy difícil. El conjunto ruso ha cerrado sus tres encuentros con derrota ante Hungría (11-10), Estados Unidos (13-9) y China (10-13), este último determinante de cara a definir su cuarta plaza del Grupo A. España, por su parte, subsiste como único conjunto que cuenta sus actuaciones por victorias, tras imponerse esta mañana a Canadá por 11-10.
En los restantes encuentros del día, Italia se ha impuesto a Australia por 12-11 para hacerse con la segunda plaza de grupo, y Estados Unidos ha arrebatado el liderato del Grupo A a Hungría tras imponerse por 7-10. De este modo, así quedan las clasificaciones y los cruces de los cuartos de mañana:
Grupo A
1. Estados Unidos, 7 puntos
2. Hungría, 6
3. China, 5
4. Rusia, 0
Grupo B1. España, 92. Italia, 6
3. Australia, 3
4. Canadá, 0
Cuartos de final (martes, 4 de junio
15h (9h en España): Hungría vs Australia
16:20h (10:20h): China vs Italia
17:40h (11:40h): Canadá vs Estados Unidos
19h (13h): Rusia vs España
El ganador del encuentro entre Rusia y España se medirá en semifinales al vencedor del Hungría-Australia el miércoles a las 17:20 horas (11:20h en España).
Foto: Jaume Teixidó
*****
Superfinal: España doblega a Australia 10—9 (RFEN)
02/06/2013 - La Selección Femenina ha derrotado esta mañana a Australia por 10—9 en el segundo encuentro de la Liga Mundial, alzándose con ello al liderato en solitario del Grupo B y acariciando con ello la primera plaza de grupo. El conjunto de Miki Oca tratará de certificar esta clasificación mañana a las 15h (las 9 en España) frente a Canadá.
España ha encadenado la segunda victoria en la segunda jornada de la Liga Mundial ante Australia en un intenso encuentro decidido apenas en la recta final. Tras una primera manga igualada (2-2), las jugadoras de Miki Oca vieron como sus rivales tomaban ventaja hacia el ecuador del segundo período tras un lanzamiento de penalti rival. Sin embargo, un potente parcial de 3-0 en tan sólo tres minutos las puso dos tantos al frente (6-4), margen que Knox recortó al 6-5 con que se llegó al descanso a dos segundos de la bocina.
En un gran tercer cuarto australiano, las jugadoras aussies lograron pasar del 7-5 a irse al último descanso un gol arriba (7-8). Sin embargo, en una excelente recta final de encuentro, las de Miki Oca devolvieron las aguas a su cauce inicial para resolver por 10-9 y sumar su segundo triunfo en la Superfinal de la Liga Mundial.
Este marcador sitúa a España en cabeza del Grupo B con dos victorias y a un paso del liderato de grupo. El encuentro de mañana a las 9h (las 15h en China) ante Canadá decidirá el cruce de cuartos de final
*****
Liga Mundial: España y Hungría, líderes (RFEN)
02/06/2013 - Las selecciones de España y Hungría lideran el grupo a escasas horas de arrancar el tercero y definitivo duelo de la fase preliminar, que enlazará los cuartos de final. Tanto España como Hungría, los únicos conjuntos que han sumado dos victorias, lideran los dos grupos.La segunda jornada de Liga Mundial se ha cerrado sin sorpresas y el triunfo de todos los favoritos. En el Grupo A, del que saldrá el rival de España, Estados Unidos y Hungría han sellado las dos primeras plazas y se jugarán, mañana, el liderato en duelo directo. Las detentoras del oro olímpico han logrado hoy su primer triunfo a costa de Rusia por 13-19, y las húngaras han hecho lo propio con China por un ajustado 14-13 con el arbitraje de nuestro Jaume Teixidó. En la sesión de mañana, China y Rusia batallarán por eludir la cuarta plaza, que las cruzaría con España si las de Miki Oca finalizan al frente del Grupo B.
El liderato del mismo es para nuestro conjunto nacional, único equipo, junto a Hungría, que ha acumulado dos triunfos en el tiempo reglamentario. La victoria de las nuestras ante la potente Australia asegura la segunda plaza, y deja la primera más que encaminada. En el encuentro que cerraba la jornada, italia se ha deshecho de Canadá, próximo rival de España, por 17-18.
La tercera jornada arrancará mañana a las 9h, hora española, con el España-Canadá.
*****
Super Final 2013 (Women): Olympic champion USA loses in penalty shootout to host China
Russell McKinnon, FINA Press Commission Member
BEIJING, China (June 1) - Olympic champion United States of America suffered a dramatic, sudden-death, penalty-shootout loss to host China on the opening day of the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final at the Water Cube in Beijing. Featuring new players and some new coaches, the Super Final is an excellent chance for athletes to
The 3000-strong crowd in the revamped Water Cube main auditorium was treated to some spectacular water polo as the Chinese team went three goals up against the USA, only to see the multiple World League champion level the game at 9-9 by the end of the third quarter and then 10-10 just before full time to force the shootout.
Each team missed a shot in the rotational round of five and China converted the first of the sudden-death attempts while the USA shot was blocked, giving China its historic first victory over USA in women’s water polo. In the same group, Hungary outlasted a late-charging Russia 11-10 in what was an earlier nerve-tingler.
Group B provided two different
In day-two Group A action, USA will play Russia and China will look to
Match Reports:
Match 1: 15:00, Group B, SPAIN 9 ITALY 8
Quarters: 2-1, 2-2, 1-3, 4-2
Referees: Amber DRURY-PINTO (USA), Alan BALFANBAYEV (KAZ)
Extra Man: ESP: 2/4. ITA: 5/9
Pens: ESP: 1/1. ITA: 1/1
Teams:
SPAIN: Laura ESTER, Marta BACH, Anna ESPAR (2), Roser TARRAGO (1), Matilda ORTIZ, Jennifer PAREJA (1), Lorena MIRANDA (1), Pilar PENA (1), Andrea BLAS, One MESEGUER, Carmen GARCIA (1), Laura LOPEZ (2), Patricia HERRERA. Head Coach: Miguel OCA.
ITALY: Elena GIGLI, Francesca POMERI, Arianna GARIBOTTI (2), Federica RADICCHI, Elisa QUEIROLO, Rosaria AIELLO, Tania DI MARIO (2), Roberta BIANCONI (3), Giulia EMMOLO, Valeria PALMIERI (1), Aleksandra COTTI, Teresa FRASSINETTI, Giulia GORLERO. Head Coach: Fabio CONTI.
Spain was the faster-starting team with two goals inside the opening four minutes. The game then switched Italy’s way to go 3-2 ahead, only for Spain to wrest the halftime lead at 4-3. The match swung this way and that for the rest of the match until Spain took a two-goal winning lead into the final 90 seconds.
Lorena MIRANDA and Anna ESPAR saw Spain comfortably 2-0 ahead with the first coming on extra-man attack. Spain looked dangerous on attack while Italy struggled to get the ball cleanly to the centre forwards. Roberta BIANCONI netted on extra at 3:57 in the first and then 2004 Olympic gold medallist Tania DI MARIO, the captain in Beijing this week, converted a penalty shot. Arianna GARIBOTTI was left untouched on the deep left and made the most of the moment for a 3-2 lead. Halfway through the period. Spanish captain Jennifer PAREJA converted a penalty to level the game before Roser TARRAGO sent in an outside shot from the top at the end of possession time for 4-3 with 49 seconds left on the clock.
DI MARIO opened the second-half scoring with a deft shot from the top into the top left for 4-4, but when trying it again two attacks later, her defender broke off, received a long pass from goalkeeper Laura ESTER and countered for the 5-4 goal. Teresa FRASSINETTI used her exceptional centre-forward skills to gain an ejection and Italy called a timeout, but the attack failed to earn a shot. BIANCONI, however, made sure on the next attack Italian attack for 5-5 and the fourth draw of the match. Italy took the lead for the second time when Valeria PALMIERI accepted a short cross pass from DI MARIO on extra at 1:42, for what was the last score of the period.
Spain earned its second draw through Pilar PENA just after the exclusion period from deep right early in the fourth quarter, but BIANCONI blasted in her third from deep left on extra on the next attack for a third lead. Spain scored through its seventh different player when Carmen GARCIA accepted a final-second pass on possession at two metres and sent in a backhand shot for 7-7. Laura LOPEZ scored from six metres to have Spain 8-7 up at 4:13 for the fourth change of the lead. At 2:01 and with Spain on full press, Fabio CONTI called his second timeout. The pass looked good to centre forward, the player turned, but no call. ESPAR converted a chance from deep right on the next attack for 9-7 at 1:24. Italy tried hard and twice on attack looked good for penalty attempts but one was denied and the second gained just an exclusion, which GARIBOTTI converted nine seconds from time for a 9-8 Spanish
Spain vs Italy
FLASH QUOTES:
Miguel OCA (ESP) — Head Coach
“We are satisfied with the victory over Italy, which is a big team. We played very well with a lot of order. We did good for the first game.”
Jennifer PAREJA (ESP) — Captain
“The first game was important to feel the sensation of the competition. Italy is a very strong team. For sure, it is on top with strong centres, a strong goalkeeper and good defenders. When we were behind we some of our shots were not OK, but we played the same way. This is the only way possible to win.”
Fabio CONTI (ITA) — Head Coach
“I think it was a good game to start a new tournament with a different team of young players for the first tournament. It is not easy playing Spain, the silver medallist from the London Olympics. It was not good, but it was OK.”
Aleksandra COTTI — Athlete
“I feel we were not strong for three quarters of the game. We are sure we must work harder during this period before Barcelona. We are close to Italy. The best part of our game was the defence. It was good that Spain could not shoot easily at times.”
Match 2: 16:20, Group A, HUNGARY 11 RUSSIA 10
Quarters: 3-2, 4-2, 2-3, 2-3
Referees: Jaume TEIXIDO (ESP), Massimo SAVARESE (ITA)
Extra Man: HUN: 3/4. RUS: 1/8
Pens: HUN: 1/2.
Teams:
HUNGARY: Orsolya KASO, Anna ILLES, Dora ANTAL (2), Ibolya MISKOLCZI (1), Gabriella SZUCS (2), Orsolya TAKACS, Brigitta HORVATH (1), Rita KESZTHELYI (1), Ildiko TOTH (1), Barbara BUJKA (2), Krisztina GARDA, Kata MENCZINGER (1), Edina GANGL. Head Coach: Andras MERESZ.
RUSSIA: Anna KARNAUKH, Diana ANTONOVA, Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (3), Elvina KARIMOVA (1), Alexandra ANTONOVA (3), Olga BELOVA (1), Ekaterina LISUNOVA (2), Anna GRINEVA, Anna TIMOFEEVA, Olga BELIAEVA, Evgeniya IVANOVA, Ksenia KRIMER, Anna USTYUKHINA. Head Coach: Mikhail NAKORYAKOV.
Hungary looked the better team with the stronger tactics and the more precise execution in the early stages and when 6-2 up it looked a certain victory. Who would have guessed that Russia would be strong enough to come back and nearly force the penalty shootout? Russia levelled the game at 1, 2 and 10.
It took a while for Hungary to gain the advantage, but four successive goals straddling the first break took Hungary 6-2 ahead. Two came from right-hand catch, one just after the exclusion period and another on extra. The opening goals came via two for Barbara BUJKE (HUN) and two to Alexandra ANTONOVA (RUS). Dora ANTAL struck 25 seconds from the buzzer to give Hungary the lead it never relinquished.
Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA, who was the 2009 FINA World Youth Championships MVP, struck home with identical shots late in the second quarter, with the first from 10m and the second from 8m. Ildiko TOTH was excellent at centre forward, scoring with a backhand shot eight seconds from halftime and 7-4 up.
Ekaterina LISUNOVA opened the third period for 7-5, but Rita KESZTHELYI with a beautiful goal on a cross pass at two metres, and Gabriella SZUCS making up for her first-quarter penalty miss, converting an incredible shot from two metres inside her half. At 9-5, the game looked over. However, PROKOFYEVA responded on the next attack from close in and LISUNOVA grabbed her second after a timeout and on extra for 9-7 to close out the third period, which it won 3-2.
Russia drew to within one when Alexandra ANTONOVA converted extra on the first attack of the fourth quarter from deep right. However, ANTAL scored her second from the penalty line when TOTH drew a penalty foul on Elvina KARIMOVA. Not a minute had passed and the score had changed to 10-8.
Olga BELOVA gave Russia a hint of a chance when she scored on extra from the top for 10-9 at 3:59. The unthinkable happened when KARIMOVA scored from a long, scything pass on the angle to the deep right-hand-catch position and score on the acute angle for 10-10, lifting the roof with the 3000-strong crowd. Hungary had the control and desire to win a game it owned and, at the end of possession time, SZUCS decided the only option was to shoot from 8m and it went in with 48 seconds remaining — 11-10 was the winning score.
Hungary vs Russia
FLASH QUOTES:
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — Head Coach
“It was a very difficult first game since the qualification rounds. The Hungarian team is very tired with such a long trip, jet-lag and every day we are doing one and a half hours
Orsolya TAKACS (HUN) — Captain
“We played very well and we wanted to do our best in the World League and the World Championships. We have been training hard. We are very happy with the win because we started well but in the second two quarters we were not so good. At last, we won and against Russia is not easy. After the Olympic Games we wanted to do well and this we have today.”
Match 4: 17:40, Group A, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15 CHINA 16 in sudden-death penalty shootout (FT: 11-11. Pens: 4-5)
Quarters: 3-5, 2-2, 4-2, 2-2. Pens: 4-5
Referees: Maro SAVINOVIC (CRO), Andrew CARNEY (AUS)
Extra Man: USA: 3/6. CHN: 6/9
Pens (shootout only): USA: 4/6. CHN: 5/6
Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Lauren SILVER (2), Melissa SEIDEMANN (3), Danielle WARDE, Caroline CLARK, Margaret STEFFENS (3), Courtney MATHEWSON (1), Kiley NEUSHAL (2), Jillian KRAUS, Kelly RULON (1), Annika DRIES (2), Kameryn CRAIG (1), Tumuaialii ANAE. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
CHINA: YANG Jun, TENG Fei (2), LIU Ping (1), SUN Yujun (3), HE Jin (3), SUN Yating (2), SONG Donglun, ZHU Yajing, MEI Xiaohan, MA Huanhuan (2), ZHANG Cong, ZHANG Lei (3), WANG Ying. Head Coach: Alexander KLEYMENOV.
China created a large slice of history by beating Olympic champion USA in a penalty shootout after holding sway for much of the match. China led 9-6 in the third quarter before USA levelled at 9-9 going into the final break.
Before the match, China knew the task ahead would be tough, never having beaten the USA. The huge crowd was vociferous whenever their team touched the ball and especially when the quarter-time score hit 5-3. A three-goal unanswered spell in the middle of the period gave new Chinese coach and former Russian mentor Alexander KLEYMENOV yelling in hoarse Chinese, a language he has mastered since arriving in his new home.
The margin slipped to 6-3 when ZHANG netted her third from the deep left on extra. Annika DRIES proved why she is so good at centre forward with two goals in just over a minute to narrow the margin to 6-5. SUN Yujun scored from the top on extra with 11 seconds left in the half for 7-5.
SUN Yating made it 8-5 with a centre-forward backhander early in the third. Melissa SEIDEMANN, one of seven Olympic gold medallists returning this year, netted her second from outside on extra. However, HE Jin stretched the margin to 9-6. Maggie STEFFENS, the standout player at the 2012 London Olympic Games, scored her second; SEIDEMANN converted the next attack on extra and Kami CRAIG turned effortlessly at centre forward to level the game at 9-9, 15 seconds from the final break.
China went back into the lead through SUN Yating on extra at the top of the fourth, only for Lauren SILVER to equalise a half-minute later. Both teams went to a timeout for no score and China called a second 59 seconds from time. The ball moved all around the arc several times before MA Huahuan sent in the shot that lifted the roof. Tumuaialii ANAE, who played the whole game in goal, let it slip over the line. USA was still not out of the picture, working hard on attack and Kelly NEUSHAL picked up the rubbish and scored from deep right with just nine seconds left on the clock, forcing the shootout.
No one left the pool as China shot first with three successes against incoming Olympic gold medallist Betsy ARMSTRONG. RULON netted for the USA but MATHEWSON had her effort blocked. NEUSHAL netted and SONG Donglun hit the post. SILVER and MA swapped goals, leaving STEFFENS to convert off the post for 15-15 after the rotation. Sudden death ensued with TENG Fei scoring, but RULON had her shot blocked to give China the win.
USA vs China
FLASH QUOTES:
Alexander KLEYMENOV (RUS) — China Head Coach
“It was the first time in history that China has beaten the USA, Now they have many new players but it was really important for China to win. I need animation from my team and the players who did not play well in London (Olympic Games) played well tonight.”
Adam KRIKORIAN (USA) — Head Coach
“It was a good game and the Chinese played with a lot of energy. They had more energy and intensity than we did. I’m proud that we managed to battle back and force the penalty shootout. We want to get better as the tournament goes on.”
Match 3: 19:00, Group B, CANADA 8 AUSTRALIA 12
Quarters: 1-3, 3-4, 2-4, 2-1
Referees: Balasz FEKETE (HUN), Alexey KRAPIVIN (RUS)
Extra Man: CAN: 2/8. AUS: 4/7
Pens: CAN: 0/2. AUS: 1/1
Teams:
CANADA: Michele RELTON, Krystina ALOGBO, Katrina MONTON (1), Emma WRIGHT, Monika EGGENS, Joelle BEKHAZI (1), Sophie BARON LA SALLE (2), Dominique PERRAULT (1), Carmen EGGENS (1), Christine ROBINSON, Stephanie VALIN, Marina RADU (2), Nicola COLTERJOHN. Head Coach: Guy BAKER.
AUSTRALIA: Lea BARTA, Jayde APPEL, Hannah BUCKLING (2), Holly LINCOLN-SMITH, Isobel BISHOP (1), Bronwen KNOX, Rowena WEBSTER, Glencora RALPH (2), Zoe ARANCINI, Ashleigh SOUTHERN (2), Keesja GOFERS (1), Nicola ZAGAME (2), Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Greg McFADDEN.
Australia made its intention clear with a 3-1 opening quarter that went to a 7-4 halftime margin. In that half, Aussie Stingers goalkeeper Kelsey WAKEFIELD, celebrating her 22nd birthday today, stopped two penalty shots while Ashleigh SOUTHERN scored one for Australia in the last second of the half. The game continued Australia’s way but Canada fought hard and took every opportunity available.
Hannah BUCKLING scored Australia’s opening pair, either side of Dominique PERRAULT (CAN). SOUTHERN was the beneficiary of a cross pass on counter for 3-1 and WAKEFIELD stopped an Emma WRIGHT penalty attempt.
Nicola ZAGAME, one of six returning bronze medallists from London, scored a slider on extra to start the second quarter. Joelle BEKHAZI had her penalty attempt blocked by WAKEFIELD. Isobel BISHOP and Glencora RALPH took the lead to 6-1 before three Canadian goals had the match at 6-4. Marina RADU from outside, Carmen EGGENS on counter and Sophie BARON LA SALLE with a bouncer from the top made Australia step up. SOUTHERN scored her penalty and halftime was 7-4.
RALPH scored two at the start of the third, one from the top and the other on counter. Keesja GOFERS and RADU swapped outside shots, then ZAGAME on extra and BARON LA SALLE from the right made it 11-6 at the final break. Australia took a late timeout to no avail.
Rowie WEBSTER scored on counter, electing to shot with a bouncer from the top instead of going in close, to give the Stingers a 12-6 advantage at the start of the fourth. The game seized up as defence was king (or queen). Both teams took a timeout with Katrina MONTON converting off the third pass on Canada’s play at 2:58. WAKEFIELD stopped two excellent Canadian shots inside the final minute, laying down the gauntlet for the other teams.
FLASH QUOTES:
Greg McFADDEN (AUS) — Head Coach
“We had good moments but then gradually let them back into the game. We’d get out to a 4-5-goal lead and lapses in concentration let us down. It was hard today as we have not had many hard games lately so that was a good hit-out.”
Kelsey WAKEFIELD (AUS) — Goalkeeper having 22nd birthday
“I like the pressure of penalty goals. It is just one on one (she said of the two penalty saves). It’s good to start with a win but there are still things we have to work on. Our communication broke down and goals slipped in so we will have to work on that.”
Guy BAKER (USA) — Canada Head Coach
“We went 0-2 on penalties and 0-3 on power plays (six on five) in the first half. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that we scored on that. Australia did a really nice job. They went 3/4 on power plays and that was the difference and we never caught up. At 6-4 we looked good but gave up a late goal. We were always playing uphill.”
Christine ROBINSON (CAN) — 10-year veteran on the national team
“I think we had a lot of good opportunities, but we couldn’t seem to finish them. It was a rough opening game, but we’ll get better. We showed a lot of character when we scored three straight (in the second quarter), but we couldn’t keep it up. It was not our night tonight but we will get better. Today was just one game.”
cement
their positions ahead of the FINA World Championships in Barcelona next month.The 3000-strong crowd in the revamped Water Cube main auditorium was treated to some spectacular water polo as the Chinese team went three goals up against the USA, only to see the multiple World League champion level the game at 9-9 by the end of the third quarter and then 10-10 just before full time to force the shootout.
Each team missed a shot in the rotational round of five and China converted the first of the sudden-death attempts while the USA shot was blocked, giving China its historic first victory over USA in women’s water polo. In the same group, Hungary outlasted a late-charging Russia 11-10 in what was an earlier nerve-tingler.
Group B provided two different
types of games
with 2012 London Olympic silver medallist Spain overcoming 2004 Olympic champion Italy 9-8 in the day’s opener. The final match of the evening was a comprehensive 12-8 victory for Olympic bronze medallist Australia over Canada, who fought hard in the second quarter, but struggled to keep up with the Aussie Stingers.In day-two Group A action, USA will play Russia and China will look to
back up
against Hungary in the clash of the first-day winners. Group B leaders Spain and Australia clash, while Canada and Italy are looking for first points.Match Reports:
Match 1: 15:00, Group B, SPAIN 9 ITALY 8
Quarters: 2-1, 2-2, 1-3, 4-2
Referees: Amber DRURY-PINTO (USA), Alan BALFANBAYEV (KAZ)
Extra Man: ESP: 2/4. ITA: 5/9
Pens: ESP: 1/1. ITA: 1/1
Teams:
SPAIN: Laura ESTER, Marta BACH, Anna ESPAR (2), Roser TARRAGO (1), Matilda ORTIZ, Jennifer PAREJA (1), Lorena MIRANDA (1), Pilar PENA (1), Andrea BLAS, One MESEGUER, Carmen GARCIA (1), Laura LOPEZ (2), Patricia HERRERA. Head Coach: Miguel OCA.
ITALY: Elena GIGLI, Francesca POMERI, Arianna GARIBOTTI (2), Federica RADICCHI, Elisa QUEIROLO, Rosaria AIELLO, Tania DI MARIO (2), Roberta BIANCONI (3), Giulia EMMOLO, Valeria PALMIERI (1), Aleksandra COTTI, Teresa FRASSINETTI, Giulia GORLERO. Head Coach: Fabio CONTI.
Spain was the faster-starting team with two goals inside the opening four minutes. The game then switched Italy’s way to go 3-2 ahead, only for Spain to wrest the halftime lead at 4-3. The match swung this way and that for the rest of the match until Spain took a two-goal winning lead into the final 90 seconds.
Lorena MIRANDA and Anna ESPAR saw Spain comfortably 2-0 ahead with the first coming on extra-man attack. Spain looked dangerous on attack while Italy struggled to get the ball cleanly to the centre forwards. Roberta BIANCONI netted on extra at 3:57 in the first and then 2004 Olympic gold medallist Tania DI MARIO, the captain in Beijing this week, converted a penalty shot. Arianna GARIBOTTI was left untouched on the deep left and made the most of the moment for a 3-2 lead. Halfway through the period. Spanish captain Jennifer PAREJA converted a penalty to level the game before Roser TARRAGO sent in an outside shot from the top at the end of possession time for 4-3 with 49 seconds left on the clock.
DI MARIO opened the second-half scoring with a deft shot from the top into the top left for 4-4, but when trying it again two attacks later, her defender broke off, received a long pass from goalkeeper Laura ESTER and countered for the 5-4 goal. Teresa FRASSINETTI used her exceptional centre-forward skills to gain an ejection and Italy called a timeout, but the attack failed to earn a shot. BIANCONI, however, made sure on the next attack Italian attack for 5-5 and the fourth draw of the match. Italy took the lead for the second time when Valeria PALMIERI accepted a short cross pass from DI MARIO on extra at 1:42, for what was the last score of the period.
Spain earned its second draw through Pilar PENA just after the exclusion period from deep right early in the fourth quarter, but BIANCONI blasted in her third from deep left on extra on the next attack for a third lead. Spain scored through its seventh different player when Carmen GARCIA accepted a final-second pass on possession at two metres and sent in a backhand shot for 7-7. Laura LOPEZ scored from six metres to have Spain 8-7 up at 4:13 for the fourth change of the lead. At 2:01 and with Spain on full press, Fabio CONTI called his second timeout. The pass looked good to centre forward, the player turned, but no call. ESPAR converted a chance from deep right on the next attack for 9-7 at 1:24. Italy tried hard and twice on attack looked good for penalty attempts but one was denied and the second gained just an exclusion, which GARIBOTTI converted nine seconds from time for a 9-8 Spanish
win
.Spain vs Italy
FLASH QUOTES:
Miguel OCA (ESP) — Head Coach
“We are satisfied with the victory over Italy, which is a big team. We played very well with a lot of order. We did good for the first game.”
Jennifer PAREJA (ESP) — Captain
“The first game was important to feel the sensation of the competition. Italy is a very strong team. For sure, it is on top with strong centres, a strong goalkeeper and good defenders. When we were behind we some of our shots were not OK, but we played the same way. This is the only way possible to win.”
Fabio CONTI (ITA) — Head Coach
“I think it was a good game to start a new tournament with a different team of young players for the first tournament. It is not easy playing Spain, the silver medallist from the London Olympics. It was not good, but it was OK.”
Aleksandra COTTI — Athlete
“I feel we were not strong for three quarters of the game. We are sure we must work harder during this period before Barcelona. We are close to Italy. The best part of our game was the defence. It was good that Spain could not shoot easily at times.”
Match 2: 16:20, Group A, HUNGARY 11 RUSSIA 10
Quarters: 3-2, 4-2, 2-3, 2-3
Referees: Jaume TEIXIDO (ESP), Massimo SAVARESE (ITA)
Extra Man: HUN: 3/4. RUS: 1/8
Pens: HUN: 1/2.
Teams:
HUNGARY: Orsolya KASO, Anna ILLES, Dora ANTAL (2), Ibolya MISKOLCZI (1), Gabriella SZUCS (2), Orsolya TAKACS, Brigitta HORVATH (1), Rita KESZTHELYI (1), Ildiko TOTH (1), Barbara BUJKA (2), Krisztina GARDA, Kata MENCZINGER (1), Edina GANGL. Head Coach: Andras MERESZ.
RUSSIA: Anna KARNAUKH, Diana ANTONOVA, Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA (3), Elvina KARIMOVA (1), Alexandra ANTONOVA (3), Olga BELOVA (1), Ekaterina LISUNOVA (2), Anna GRINEVA, Anna TIMOFEEVA, Olga BELIAEVA, Evgeniya IVANOVA, Ksenia KRIMER, Anna USTYUKHINA. Head Coach: Mikhail NAKORYAKOV.
Hungary looked the better team with the stronger tactics and the more precise execution in the early stages and when 6-2 up it looked a certain victory. Who would have guessed that Russia would be strong enough to come back and nearly force the penalty shootout? Russia levelled the game at 1, 2 and 10.
It took a while for Hungary to gain the advantage, but four successive goals straddling the first break took Hungary 6-2 ahead. Two came from right-hand catch, one just after the exclusion period and another on extra. The opening goals came via two for Barbara BUJKE (HUN) and two to Alexandra ANTONOVA (RUS). Dora ANTAL struck 25 seconds from the buzzer to give Hungary the lead it never relinquished.
Ekaterina PROKOFYEVA, who was the 2009 FINA World Youth Championships MVP, struck home with identical shots late in the second quarter, with the first from 10m and the second from 8m. Ildiko TOTH was excellent at centre forward, scoring with a backhand shot eight seconds from halftime and 7-4 up.
Ekaterina LISUNOVA opened the third period for 7-5, but Rita KESZTHELYI with a beautiful goal on a cross pass at two metres, and Gabriella SZUCS making up for her first-quarter penalty miss, converting an incredible shot from two metres inside her half. At 9-5, the game looked over. However, PROKOFYEVA responded on the next attack from close in and LISUNOVA grabbed her second after a timeout and on extra for 9-7 to close out the third period, which it won 3-2.
Russia drew to within one when Alexandra ANTONOVA converted extra on the first attack of the fourth quarter from deep right. However, ANTAL scored her second from the penalty line when TOTH drew a penalty foul on Elvina KARIMOVA. Not a minute had passed and the score had changed to 10-8.
Olga BELOVA gave Russia a hint of a chance when she scored on extra from the top for 10-9 at 3:59. The unthinkable happened when KARIMOVA scored from a long, scything pass on the angle to the deep right-hand-catch position and score on the acute angle for 10-10, lifting the roof with the 3000-strong crowd. Hungary had the control and desire to win a game it owned and, at the end of possession time, SZUCS decided the only option was to shoot from 8m and it went in with 48 seconds remaining — 11-10 was the winning score.
Hungary vs Russia
FLASH QUOTES:
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — Head Coach
“It was a very difficult first game since the qualification rounds. The Hungarian team is very tired with such a long trip, jet-lag and every day we are doing one and a half hours
training
, plus gym work and swimming. We have very important competition coming up in the World Championships. We were very happy (with the win). I know the Russian team would come back (when 6-2 ahead) under new coach Mikhail (NAKORYAKOV). But, my team never gave up.”Orsolya TAKACS (HUN) — Captain
“We played very well and we wanted to do our best in the World League and the World Championships. We have been training hard. We are very happy with the win because we started well but in the second two quarters we were not so good. At last, we won and against Russia is not easy. After the Olympic Games we wanted to do well and this we have today.”
Match 4: 17:40, Group A, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15 CHINA 16 in sudden-death penalty shootout (FT: 11-11. Pens: 4-5)
Quarters: 3-5, 2-2, 4-2, 2-2. Pens: 4-5
Referees: Maro SAVINOVIC (CRO), Andrew CARNEY (AUS)
Extra Man: USA: 3/6. CHN: 6/9
Pens (shootout only): USA: 4/6. CHN: 5/6
Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Elizabeth ARMSTRONG, Lauren SILVER (2), Melissa SEIDEMANN (3), Danielle WARDE, Caroline CLARK, Margaret STEFFENS (3), Courtney MATHEWSON (1), Kiley NEUSHAL (2), Jillian KRAUS, Kelly RULON (1), Annika DRIES (2), Kameryn CRAIG (1), Tumuaialii ANAE. Head Coach: Adam KRIKORIAN.
CHINA: YANG Jun, TENG Fei (2), LIU Ping (1), SUN Yujun (3), HE Jin (3), SUN Yating (2), SONG Donglun, ZHU Yajing, MEI Xiaohan, MA Huanhuan (2), ZHANG Cong, ZHANG Lei (3), WANG Ying. Head Coach: Alexander KLEYMENOV.
China created a large slice of history by beating Olympic champion USA in a penalty shootout after holding sway for much of the match. China led 9-6 in the third quarter before USA levelled at 9-9 going into the final break.
Before the match, China knew the task ahead would be tough, never having beaten the USA. The huge crowd was vociferous whenever their team touched the ball and especially when the quarter-time score hit 5-3. A three-goal unanswered spell in the middle of the period gave new Chinese coach and former Russian mentor Alexander KLEYMENOV yelling in hoarse Chinese, a language he has mastered since arriving in his new home.
The margin slipped to 6-3 when ZHANG netted her third from the deep left on extra. Annika DRIES proved why she is so good at centre forward with two goals in just over a minute to narrow the margin to 6-5. SUN Yujun scored from the top on extra with 11 seconds left in the half for 7-5.
SUN Yating made it 8-5 with a centre-forward backhander early in the third. Melissa SEIDEMANN, one of seven Olympic gold medallists returning this year, netted her second from outside on extra. However, HE Jin stretched the margin to 9-6. Maggie STEFFENS, the standout player at the 2012 London Olympic Games, scored her second; SEIDEMANN converted the next attack on extra and Kami CRAIG turned effortlessly at centre forward to level the game at 9-9, 15 seconds from the final break.
China went back into the lead through SUN Yating on extra at the top of the fourth, only for Lauren SILVER to equalise a half-minute later. Both teams went to a timeout for no score and China called a second 59 seconds from time. The ball moved all around the arc several times before MA Huahuan sent in the shot that lifted the roof. Tumuaialii ANAE, who played the whole game in goal, let it slip over the line. USA was still not out of the picture, working hard on attack and Kelly NEUSHAL picked up the rubbish and scored from deep right with just nine seconds left on the clock, forcing the shootout.
No one left the pool as China shot first with three successes against incoming Olympic gold medallist Betsy ARMSTRONG. RULON netted for the USA but MATHEWSON had her effort blocked. NEUSHAL netted and SONG Donglun hit the post. SILVER and MA swapped goals, leaving STEFFENS to convert off the post for 15-15 after the rotation. Sudden death ensued with TENG Fei scoring, but RULON had her shot blocked to give China the win.
USA vs China
FLASH QUOTES:
Alexander KLEYMENOV (RUS) — China Head Coach
“It was the first time in history that China has beaten the USA, Now they have many new players but it was really important for China to win. I need animation from my team and the players who did not play well in London (Olympic Games) played well tonight.”
Adam KRIKORIAN (USA) — Head Coach
“It was a good game and the Chinese played with a lot of energy. They had more energy and intensity than we did. I’m proud that we managed to battle back and force the penalty shootout. We want to get better as the tournament goes on.”
Match 3: 19:00, Group B, CANADA 8 AUSTRALIA 12
Quarters: 1-3, 3-4, 2-4, 2-1
Referees: Balasz FEKETE (HUN), Alexey KRAPIVIN (RUS)
Extra Man: CAN: 2/8. AUS: 4/7
Pens: CAN: 0/2. AUS: 1/1
Teams:
CANADA: Michele RELTON, Krystina ALOGBO, Katrina MONTON (1), Emma WRIGHT, Monika EGGENS, Joelle BEKHAZI (1), Sophie BARON LA SALLE (2), Dominique PERRAULT (1), Carmen EGGENS (1), Christine ROBINSON, Stephanie VALIN, Marina RADU (2), Nicola COLTERJOHN. Head Coach: Guy BAKER.
AUSTRALIA: Lea BARTA, Jayde APPEL, Hannah BUCKLING (2), Holly LINCOLN-SMITH, Isobel BISHOP (1), Bronwen KNOX, Rowena WEBSTER, Glencora RALPH (2), Zoe ARANCINI, Ashleigh SOUTHERN (2), Keesja GOFERS (1), Nicola ZAGAME (2), Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Greg McFADDEN.
Australia made its intention clear with a 3-1 opening quarter that went to a 7-4 halftime margin. In that half, Aussie Stingers goalkeeper Kelsey WAKEFIELD, celebrating her 22nd birthday today, stopped two penalty shots while Ashleigh SOUTHERN scored one for Australia in the last second of the half. The game continued Australia’s way but Canada fought hard and took every opportunity available.
Hannah BUCKLING scored Australia’s opening pair, either side of Dominique PERRAULT (CAN). SOUTHERN was the beneficiary of a cross pass on counter for 3-1 and WAKEFIELD stopped an Emma WRIGHT penalty attempt.
Nicola ZAGAME, one of six returning bronze medallists from London, scored a slider on extra to start the second quarter. Joelle BEKHAZI had her penalty attempt blocked by WAKEFIELD. Isobel BISHOP and Glencora RALPH took the lead to 6-1 before three Canadian goals had the match at 6-4. Marina RADU from outside, Carmen EGGENS on counter and Sophie BARON LA SALLE with a bouncer from the top made Australia step up. SOUTHERN scored her penalty and halftime was 7-4.
RALPH scored two at the start of the third, one from the top and the other on counter. Keesja GOFERS and RADU swapped outside shots, then ZAGAME on extra and BARON LA SALLE from the right made it 11-6 at the final break. Australia took a late timeout to no avail.
Rowie WEBSTER scored on counter, electing to shot with a bouncer from the top instead of going in close, to give the Stingers a 12-6 advantage at the start of the fourth. The game seized up as defence was king (or queen). Both teams took a timeout with Katrina MONTON converting off the third pass on Canada’s play at 2:58. WAKEFIELD stopped two excellent Canadian shots inside the final minute, laying down the gauntlet for the other teams.
FLASH QUOTES:
Greg McFADDEN (AUS) — Head Coach
“We had good moments but then gradually let them back into the game. We’d get out to a 4-5-goal lead and lapses in concentration let us down. It was hard today as we have not had many hard games lately so that was a good hit-out.”
Kelsey WAKEFIELD (AUS) — Goalkeeper having 22nd birthday
“I like the pressure of penalty goals. It is just one on one (she said of the two penalty saves). It’s good to start with a win but there are still things we have to work on. Our communication broke down and goals slipped in so we will have to work on that.”
Guy BAKER (USA) — Canada Head Coach
“We went 0-2 on penalties and 0-3 on power plays (six on five) in the first half. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that we scored on that. Australia did a really nice job. They went 3/4 on power plays and that was the difference and we never caught up. At 6-4 we looked good but gave up a late goal. We were always playing uphill.”
Christine ROBINSON (CAN) — 10-year veteran on the national team
“I think we had a lot of good opportunities, but we couldn’t seem to finish them. It was a rough opening game, but we’ll get better. We showed a lot of character when we scored three straight (in the second quarter), but we couldn’t keep it up. It was not our night tonight but we will get better. Today was just one game.”
*****
Close opening clashes in Beijing
| Waterpoloworld | | | Saturday 01 June 2013, 13:40 | | | Wolfgang Philipps |
The X Super Final of the FINA Women's World went underway today in Beijing, China. After last year's difficult situation in the eve of the upcoming Olympic tournaments and an exhausting journey to China strong teams are going to battle for the first FINA title in the new Olympic circle The opening day of the eight-nation-event already created some tough battles, including a narrow 16-15 victory on penalties by the home team China against Olympic champion USA.
*****Liga Mundial: Debut con victoria ante Italia (RFEN)
01/06/2013 - La Selección Femenina ha derrotado por 9—8 a Italia en el encuentro inaugural de la Superfinal de la Liga Mundial Femenina de waterpolo, que ha arrancado hace una hora en Pekín, China. La nota más destacada de la primera jornada ha sido la derrota de Estados Unidos ante China en los penaltis. El próximo compromiso de las nuestras queda fijado para mañana a las 16:20h (las 10h en España) frente a Australia.
Arranque intenso de España frente a Italia, una de las selecciones más potentes del continente europeo. La subcampeona olímpica logró romper el intercambio de empates y ventajas en la recta final, en la que dos tantos de Laura López y Anni Espar situaron a las nuestras con una providencial ventaja de dos tantos (9-7). Al final, las transalpinas apenas pudieron recortar el margen a una sola diana.
Al término del choque, Miki Oca se confesaba satisfecho: "Ganar a Italia supone una gran satisfacción, ya que son un gran equipo. Hemos jugado bien y con mucho orden, lo que es excelente para tratarse del debut en la competición".
Este marcador deja a España en segunda plaza de grupo, igualada a puntos con Australia, que se impuso por 8-12 a Canadá. En el Grupo A, la nota más destacada de la jornada fue la derrota en los penaltis de Estados Unidos frente a China. En el segundo encuentro, arbitrado por el colegiado español Jaume Teixidó, Hungría se deshizo de Rusia por 11-10 y se alza a la primera plaza.
Foto: Mati Ortiz a punto de lanzar (Jaume Teixidó)
*****
España inicia su camino en la Superfinal (RFEN)
31/05/2013 - La Selección Femenina inicia mañana la disputa de su primer título oficial de 2013, la Superfinal de la Liga Mundial de waterpolo. El conjunto de Miki Oca ha quedado encuadrado en el Grupo B, junto a Canadá, Italia y Australia, y debutará mañana sábado a las 15h hora en Pekín (las 9 de la mañana en España) ante la selección transalpina.
España inicia en menos de 24 horas su concurso en la Superfinal de la Liga Mundial en Pekín, China, último torneo oficial antes de Barcelona 2013. Miki Oca celebraba la clasificación de las nuestras para esta competición precisamente por esta premisa, ya que ofrecerá una opción de verdadera excepción para medirse contra algunas de las futuras rivales mundialistas.Las jugadoras de Miki Oca aterrizaron ayer procedentes de Zurich, y disfrutan hoy de su cuarta jornada de preparación para esta competición, tras las tres sesiones dobles de ensayo de esta semana en el CAR de Sant Cugat.
El sorteo preliminar, que tuvo lugar ayer, ha definido dos grupos. España ha quedado encuadrada en el B, junto a Canadá, Italia y Australia. En el A jugarán la campeona olímpica, Estados Unidos, y Hungría, Rusia y la anfitriona, China.
La fase preliminar se disputará entre sábado y lunes. La clasificación del grupo definirá los cuartos de final, que se jugarán el martes, día 4, con cruces naturales: 1º contra 4º y 2º contra 3º de los grupos opuestos. Las semifinales se jugarán el miércoles 5, y los duelos por la posición final quedan fijados para el jueves 6. A nivel de formato, la FINA permitirá la disputa de prórroga o penaltis a partir de los cuartos de final de la competición.
Horarios
Fase preliminarSábado, 1 de junio15:00 (las 9h en España) España-Italia
Domingo, 2 de junio16:20h (10:20h) España-Australia
Lunes, 3 de junio15:00h (9h) España-Canadá
Cuartos de finalMartes, 4 de junio15:00h (9h) 2º Grupo A – 3º Grupo B (partido 13)
16:20h (10:20h) 3º Grupo A – 2º Grupo B (14)
17:40h (11:40h) 1º Grupo A – 4º Grupo B (15)
19:00 (13h) 4º Grupo A – 1º Grupo B (16)
SemifinalesMiércoles, 5 de junio14:40h (8:40h) Perdedor partido 13 – Perdedor partido 16
16:00h (10h) Perdedor partido 14 – perdedor partido 15
17:20h (11:20h) Ganador partido 13 – Ganador partido 16
18:40h (12:40h) Ganador partido 14 – Ganador partido 15
Finales
Jueves, 6 de junio12:00h (9h) 7º y 8º puesto
13:20h (10:20h) 5º y 6º puesto
14:40h (11:40h) Partido por el bronce
16:00h (13h) Final Liga Mundial
17:30h (14:30h) Entrega oficial de premios
*****
Convocatoria oficial para la Superfinal ( RFEN )
29/05/2013 - Tras las jornadas de entrenamiento de esta semana en el CAR de Sant Cugat, Miki Oca ha hecho pública la convocatoria oficial de 13 jugadoras para la Superfinal, que se disputará desde el día 1 en Pekín, China, y contará con la participación de Australia, Hungría, Italia, Rusia, Estados Unidos y Canadá, además de la selección anfitriona. El equipo volará hacia China mañana y tiene prevista su llegada a las 5 de la madrugada del día 1 de junio.
Convocatoria oficial
CN Madrid MoscardóPatricia Herrera (1993)
Laura López (1988)
CN MataróMarta Bach (1993)
Roser Tarragó (1993)
CN SabadellAnni Espar (1993)
Laura Ester (1990)
Maica Garcia (1990)
Mati Ortiz (1990)
Jennifer Pareja (1984)
Pilar Peña (1986)
CN Sant AndreuOna Meseguer (1988)
EW ZaragozaAndrea Blas
CW Dos Hermanas EMASESALorena Miranda (1991)
Equipo técnico
Miki Oca (Seleccionador)
Jordi Valls (preparador físico)
Claudio Camarena (Entrenador)
Albert Estiarte (médico)
Óscar Muncunill (Fisioterapeuta)
Jaume Teixidó (Árbitro)
Pere Robert (Delegado)
*****
From FINA :
http://www.fina.org/H2O/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3391:2013-womens-rankings&catid=230:women-rankings&Itemid=622
PRELIMINARIES
AMERICAS
| USA | CAN | BRA | M | W | L | Dif. | P | |
| USA | - | 11-7 | 10-0 | 4 | 4 | - | 40-15 | 12 |
| 8-7 | 11-1 | |||||||
| CAN | 7-11 | - | 17-4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 42-26 | 6 |
| 7-8 | 11-3 | |||||||
| BRA | 0-10 | 4-17 | - | 4 | - | 4 | 8-49 | 0 |
| 1-11 | 3-11 |
Games
May 24 (Los Alamitos): CAN 17 - BRA 4
May 24 (Los Alamitos): USA 11 - CAN 7
May 25 (Los Alamitos): BRA 0 - USA 10
May 26 (Los Alamitos): CAN 11 - BRA 3
May 26 (Los Alamitos): CAN 7 - USA 8
May 27 (Los Alamitos): BRA 1 - USA 11
May 24 (Los Alamitos): CAN 17 - BRA 4
May 24 (Los Alamitos): USA 11 - CAN 7
May 25 (Los Alamitos): BRA 0 - USA 10
May 26 (Los Alamitos): CAN 11 - BRA 3
May 26 (Los Alamitos): CAN 7 - USA 8
May 27 (Los Alamitos): BRA 1 - USA 11
Teams qualified for Super Final: USA 
and CANADA 
and CANADA ASIA/OCEANIA
| AUS | CHN | NZL | JPN | M | W | L | Dif. | P | |
| AUS | - | 15-13 | 10-5 | 10-2 | 6 | 6 | - | 79-39 | 17 |
| 17-7 | 15-7 | 12-5 | |||||||
| CHN | 13-15 | - | 16-7 | 13-6 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 75-63 | 13 |
| 7-17 | 14-7 | 12-11 | |||||||
| NZL | 5-10 | 7-16 | - | 12-11 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 51-74 | 5 |
| 7-15 | 7-14 | 13-8 | |||||||
| JPN | 2-10 | 6-13 | 11-12 | - | 6 | - | 6 | 43-72 | 1 |
| 5-12 | 11-12 | 8-13 |
Games
May 9 (Auckland): CHN 13 - AUS 15
May 9 (Auckland): NZL 12 - JPN 11
May 10 (Auckland): AUS 10 - JPN 2
May 10 (Auckland): NZL 7 - CHN 16
May 11 (Auckland): JPN 6 - CHN 13
May 11 (Auckland): NZL 5 - AUS 10
May 12 (Auckland): CHN 7 - AUS 17
May 12 (Auckland): NZL 13 - JPN 8
May 13 (Auckland): AUS 12 - JPN 5
May 13 (Auckland): NZL 7 - CHN 14
May 14 (Auckland): JPN 11 - CHN 12
May 14 (Auckland): NZL 7 - AUS 15
May 9 (Auckland): CHN 13 - AUS 15
May 9 (Auckland): NZL 12 - JPN 11
May 10 (Auckland): AUS 10 - JPN 2
May 10 (Auckland): NZL 7 - CHN 16
May 11 (Auckland): JPN 6 - CHN 13
May 11 (Auckland): NZL 5 - AUS 10
May 12 (Auckland): CHN 7 - AUS 17
May 12 (Auckland): NZL 13 - JPN 8
May 13 (Auckland): AUS 12 - JPN 5
May 13 (Auckland): NZL 7 - CHN 14
May 14 (Auckland): JPN 11 - CHN 12
May 14 (Auckland): NZL 7 - AUS 15
Teams qualified for Super Final: AUSTRALIA 
and CHINA 
and CHINA EUROPE - GROUP A
| GRE | ESP | HUN | M | W | L | Dif. | P | |
| HUN | 10-8 | 12-9 | - | 4 | 3 | 1 | 44-40 | 9 |
| 9-12 | 13-11 | |||||||
| ESP | 12-7 | - | 9-12 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 43-39 | 6 |
| 11-7 | 11-13 | |||||||
| GRE | - | 7-12 | 8-10 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 34-42 | 3 |
| 7-11 | 12-9 |
Games
January 23 (Mataro): ESP vs HUN 9-12
January 26 (Eger): HUN vs GRE 10-8
February 6 (Athens): ESP vs GRE 12-7
February 8 (Budapest): HUN vs ESP 13-11
March 13 (Athens): GRE vs HUN 12-9
March 16 (Barcelona): GRE vs ESP 7-11
January 23 (Mataro): ESP vs HUN 9-12
January 26 (Eger): HUN vs GRE 10-8
February 6 (Athens): ESP vs GRE 12-7
February 8 (Budapest): HUN vs ESP 13-11
March 13 (Athens): GRE vs HUN 12-9
March 16 (Barcelona): GRE vs ESP 7-11
Teams qualified for Super Final: HUNGARY 
and SPAIN 
and SPAIN EUROPE - GROUP B
| RUS | ITA | NED | M | W | L | Dif. | P | |
| ITA | 16-15 | - | 12-6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 47-45 | 8 |
| 6-14 | 13-10 | |||||||
| RUS | - | 15-16 | 4-6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 44-38 | 7 |
| 14-6 | 11-10 | |||||||
| NED | 6-4 | 6-12 | - | 4 | 1 | 3 | 32-40 | 3 |
| 10-11 | 10-13 |
Games
January 23 (Alphen aan den Rijn): NED vs ITA 6-12
January 26 (Catania): ITA vs RUS 16-15 (after penalties)
February 6 (Kirishi): RUS vs NED 4-6
February 9 (Avezzano): ITA vs NED 13-10
March 13 (Chelyabinsk): RUS vs ITA 14-6
March 16 (Dordrecht): NED vs RUS 10-11
January 23 (Alphen aan den Rijn): NED vs ITA 6-12
January 26 (Catania): ITA vs RUS 16-15 (after penalties)
February 6 (Kirishi): RUS vs NED 4-6
February 9 (Avezzano): ITA vs NED 13-10
March 13 (Chelyabinsk): RUS vs ITA 14-6
March 16 (Dordrecht): NED vs RUS 10-11
Teams qualified for Super Final: ITALY 
and RUSSIA 
and RUSSIA 
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