BIWPA

24 agosto 2014

FINA men´s World CUP Almaty (KAZ) 2014 19-24/08/2014 (actualización diaria)















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Serbia retains World Cup crown in penalty shootout over Hungary

|Sunday 24 August 2014, 08:44|Tim Hartog














Serbia proved its dominance of world water polo in 2014 with a clean sweep of the major events, beating Hungary 11-9 in a penalty shootout on the sixth day of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World Cup at Almaty’s Central Swimming Pool today.
For the third time this year, Serbia beat Hungary in a gold-medal final after the June FINA World League Super Final in Dubai, UAE, and the July European Championships in Budapest, Hungary. The victory was the third time Serbia has reached the top step on the podium after winning as Serbia & Montenegro in Budapest in 2006 and as Serbia in Oradeo, Romania in 2010. Much of the success of Serbia was put down to goalkeeper Stefan Zivodinovic , whose vital saves in the dying moments of the final typified his drive, determination and blocking skills. For Hungary it was a fourth silver medal to go with its three gold and two bronzes at World Cups — the most medals of any country since the first edition in 1979. Hungary’s last victory was in 1999 in Sydney, Australia at the start of its magnificent run that led to three consecutive Olympic titles. Hungary led most of the match and was only inside the final two minutes that Serbia drew level to force the penalty shootout and win it 4-2 for ultimate success in Almaty. Hungarian captain Daniel Varga was adjudged the best player in the tournament, as voted by the coaches, so dangerous an opponent he was.
In the bronze-medal final, Croatia added to its lone silver achieved in Oradeo last time out, beating United States of America 8-6. For the USA, it was not to be a first bronze medal, following golds in 1991 in Barcelona, Spain and 1997 in Athens, Greece. It also won two silvers — in 1979 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia and 1985 in Duisberg, Germany. USA’s Jesse Smith was named the best defender and teammate Bret Bonnani amassed the highest number of goals with 13. Australia, whose previous best at World Cups was a bronze medal in 1993, took out fifth place with a well-controlled 12-6 victory over Kazakhstan, who upset Montenegro the day before. It was Kazakhstan’s first visit to the World Cup. Montenegro, so disappointing in Almaty, had to settle for seventh place, beating South Africa, another World Cup newcomer, 13-10. Earlier in the week Montenegro beat South Africa 12-4, so it showed how much the African qualifier improved during the week. From the tournament, four teams qualified for the 2015 FINA World Championships. As Serbia and Hungary had qualified from the FINA World League, the next four teams gained a spot for Kazan — Croatia, USA, Australia and Kazakhstan.
Working the score bench during the week was former international referee Vladimir Prikhodko (KAZ), who refereed the 1999 men’s World Cup final in Sydney. Among his many other appointments, he also controlled the 1996 Olympic Games men’s final in Atlanta, USA, the 2000 Olympic women’s final in Sydney and the final of the men’s FINA World Championship in Rome, Italy in 1994.
 


2014 FINA Men's World Cup
Almaty, Kazakhstan

19-24 August

Schedule and results

Sunday, 24 August - final round

South Africa (L17) vs. Montenegro (L18) 10-13 (2-3, 1-3, 4-4, 3-3) - (7th/8th place)
SOUTH AFRICA: Dwayne Flatscher, Etienne Le Roux (2), Devon Card (1), Ignardus Badenhorst (2), Nicholas Rodda, Joao Marco De Carvalho (1), Lodewyk Rabie (1), Jared Wingate-Pearse, Dean Whyte, Pierre Le Roux (3), Christopher Baker, Nicholas Hock, Julian Lewis. Head Coach: Paul Martin.

MONTENEGRO: Dejan Lazovic, Marko Vukmirovic, Nikola Markovic (1), Stefan Vidovic (1), Darko Brguljan, Bogdan Durdic, Dorde Bulatovic (2), Jovan Saric (4), Radovan Latinovic, Nikola Murisic (3), Filip Klikovac, Uros Cuckovic (2), Slaven Kandic. Head Coach: Ranko Perovic.

Montenegro gained its second win of the week and they were both against South Africa. Montenegro won the first encounter in the rounds 12-4. While South Africa seemed to improve with each match, Montenegro has had a patchy week and needed to save face with victory today. South Africa showed its best attacking play of the week and opened through Etienne Le Roux from the top right. Montenegro went 2-1 up and Etienne Le Roux equalised. However, Nikola Murisic, off the near post, converted extra-man attack for 3-2 by quarter time. Jovan Saric scored twice, Uros Cuckovic added a second and the match was at 6-2. Radovan Latinovic was sent for disrespect at 5:28 in the second quarter and left the pool deck. Joao Marco De Carvalho lifted South Africa to within three at 5:06 and there were no more goals for the half. The third period was exciting for the number of goals and the fact that it was squared at 4-4. Pierre Le Roux scored his first and second and Saric netted his third for Montenegro. Both teams scored a centre-forward goal — a rarity at this event — to close the quarter at 10-7. Murisic received a clean pass cross-cage to tip in for 11-7 in the fourth quarter and Pierre Le Roux responded with a high-left shot at the other end for his third goal. Just like he did against South Africa earlier in the tournament, Saric scored his fourth goal on extra for 12-8 and ninth for the tournament. Badenhorst scored his second with a backhander from two metres and Murisic netted a third at 2:23. The final score belonged to South Africa when Devon Card tipped in an angled pass to two metres for double figures. South Africa scored just nine goals in the five lead-up matches, so to manage 10 in the last day — and against Montenegro — was most commendable.



Australia (W17) vs. Kazakhstan (W18) 12-6 (1-1, 5-2, 4-2, 2-1) - (5th/6th place)
AUSTRALIA: James Clark, Richard Campbell, George Ford, John Cotterill (4), Nathan Power, Jarrod Gilchrist (1), Aidan Roach (3), Aaron Younger (3), Lachlan Edwards, Tyler Martin, Mitchell Emery (1), Blake Edwards, Edward Slade, James Stanton. Head Coach: Elvis Fatovic.

KAZAKHSTAN: Makhmetov Madikhen, Sergey Gubarev, Yevgeniy Medvedev, Roman Pilipenko (1), Vladimir Ushakov, Alexey Shmider, Murat Shakenov, Anton Koliadenko (1), Rustam Ukumanov (2), Mikhail Ruday (1), Ravil Manafov (1), Branko Pekovich, Valeriy Shlemov. Head Coach: Sergey Drozdov.

Australia played a controlled match against a potentially potent Kazakhstan, fresh from qualifying for next year’s FINA World Championships in Russia. Playing without a renowned centre forward, worked for extra-man chances and conversions while taking good options. Kazakhstan was not allowed to play at the intensity of the day before. Both teams took time to settle into the match and it was not until 1:18 that Anton Koliadenko blasted one in from the top for Kazakhstan. At 0:28, John Cotterill converted extra man at his second attempt of the phase. He opened the second quarter from deep left and a minute later Jarrod Gilchrist had the Aussie Sharks 3-1 up on a 2m cross pass on extra. Rustam Ukumanov converted a penalty; Aidan Roach sent one into the bottom right from the top and Ukumanov slid sideways , accepted a pass and scored from deep left for 4-3. Aaron Younger accepted the easiest of cross passes to score from point blank and Cotterill scored his eighth goal of the tournament from the left-post position on a one-stroke drive for 6-3 by halftime. Roach took it to 7-3 early in the third period and Mikhail Ruday responded on counter. Younger grabbed his second, also on counter and Roman Pilipenko converted extra-man attack for 8-5. Cotterill scored his fourth and Roach his third — on counter — for 10-5 by 1:37. Both teams called a timeout, but could not gain a goal by the final break. Ravil Manafov started the fourth period to breathe life into Kazakhstan’s claims, but Younger with his third and Mitchell Emery on extra, took the score out to 12-6 in favour of the Sharks. On the opening night, Australia beat Kazakhstan 11-8.



USA (L19) vs. Croatia (L20) 6-8 (2-2, 1-3, 0-2, 3-1) - (3rd/4th place)
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Merrill Moses, Ryder Roberts, Alex Obert (1), Michael Rosenthal, Luca Cupido (1), Conner Cleary, Josh Samuels, Bret Bonnani, Alex Bowen (2), Nolan McConnell (1), Jesse Smith (1), John Mann, McQuin Baron. Head Coach: Dejan Udovicic.

CROATIA: Marko Bijac, Luka Bukic (2), Ivan Milakovic (3), Marino Divkovic, Ante Vukicevic (1), Ivan Buljubasic, Petar Muslim, Kristijan Milakovic (1), Ante Viskovic, Duje Zivkovic, Andelo Setka, Marko Macan (1), Ivan Marcelic. Head Coach: Ivica Tucak.

Croatia claimed the bronze medal with a strong game in the middle part of the match. By restricting USA to one goal in those periods, it set itself up for the victory. USA opened through Nolan McConnell  and led 2-1 when Jesse Smith dragged down a ball on the far post on extra-man attack by 2:13. However, Luca Bukic repaired the damage, also on extra, to close the quarter at 2-2. Ivan Milakovic scored a centre-forward goal for 3-2 on the first attack of the second quarter and the margin stretched out to three when Ante Vukicevic and Kristijan Milakovic gave Croatia the lead it needed. Alex Bowen fired one back for USA to close the half at 5-3 in favour of Croatia. Ivan Milakovic scored his third and Bukic his second in the only goals of the period at a time when USA struggled on extra-man attack and could not make the shots count. At four goals down by the final break, USA was not out of the match. Luca Cupido pulled back one but Marko Macan took it back out to four. Both teams went to timeouts and Bowen made USA’s break work when scoring at 3:53 for 8-5. Bret Bonnani had a chance to narrow it further at 2:27, but his penalty attempt was blocked by Marko Bijac. Alex Obert made sure of his shot at 1:02 for 8-6, but it was too late. The middle of the match proved the killer for USA and assured Croatia of the bronze medal.



Hungary (W19) vs. Serbia (W20) 9-19 (2-1, 3-3, 1-1, 1-2; penalties: 2-4) - - (1st/2nd place)
HUNGARY: Attila Decker, Miklos Gor-Nagy, Norbert Madaras (1), Balazs Erdelyi (4), Bence Batori (1), Norbert Hosnyanszky (1), Adam Decker (1), Daniel Angyal, Daniel Varga, Krisztian Bedo, Balazs Harai (1), Marton Levai. Head Coach: Tibor Benedek.

SERBIA: Stefan Zivodinovic, Strahinja Rasovic (1), Dimitrije Obradovic (2), Dusan Markovic, Gavril Subotic (3), Nikola Eskert, Dusan Mandic (1), Viktor Rasovic, Sava Randelovic, Nemanda Ubovic (1), Dusan Vasic (2), Srdan Vuksanovic, Dimitrije Risticevic. Head Coach: Dejan Savic.

Serbia needed a goal inside the final two minutes to force a penalty shootout and Gavril Subotic gave Serbia that chance. In the shootout one Hungarian shot was blocked and the second hit the crossbar. Serbia made sure of all four attempts and laid its hands on the trophy. Hungary made all the play until the final two minutes and wanted to prove that it was not a one-man team. Hungary played without Denes Varga, who was on a one-match suspension for a brutality foul sustained late in the semifinal match with USA on Saturday. He sat in the media stand, draped in a Hungarian robe.
The first quarter was tight with two action goals and Bence Batori’s opening goal on extra. Serbia levelled through Dimitrije Obradovic on counter, receiving a pass and turning to score. Adam Decker and Norbert Hosnyanszky made it 4-2 before Nemanda Ubovic, who missed a match through suspension earlier in the tournament, pulled one back from the two-metre line. Gavril Subotic scored his 10th goal of the World Cup on extra to level at 4-4. Daniel Angyal had a glorious chance to take Hungary ahead late in the period but watched as his point-blank shot was blocked by goalkeeper Stefan Zivodinovic, the best keeper of the tournament. Balazs Erdelyi struck twice for Hungary, the first from an inside pass on two metres for 5-4 to close the half. Then he opened the third quarter with a blast from four metres for 6-4 at 6.50 in the third. Obradovic converted extra-man attack for 6-5 at 4:46 and from then until the end of the period, there were no more goals. Decker scored his second on extra when he received a pass from Daniel Varga for 7-5 at 6:42 in the fourth period. Dusan Vasic scored above the head of  Attila Decker for 706 at 5:32.
The match was starting to get to the most exciting stage and Denes Varga was standing in the seats. Both teams missed extra-man chances heading into the final three minutes. On the third extra, Krisztian Bedo had a close shot blocked, as Serbia had its attempt stopped at the other end. Serbia gained a turnover inside two minutes and Subotic calmly took the ball up and when not defended he sent the ball into the top left for 7-7 at 1:40.  On the next attack, Sava Randelovic gained his third major foul and Hungary called a timeout at 1:17. Hosnyanszky steered the ball to Balasz Harai on the far post, but Zivodinovic blocked it, as he did a subsequent shot. Hungary regained and, with the seconds ticking down, captain Daniel Varga, voted the most valuable player of the tournament despite missing two matches through an allergic reaction to celery, took the crucial final shot. It bounced off a defender and hit Zivodinovic in the face and the match went to a penalty shootout. Hungary shot first and Madaras and Mandic traded goals. Then Batori had his shot blocked by the keeper. Subotic scored his 12th goal of the week and Hosnyanszky hit the cross bar. Strahinja Rasovic converted for 10-8 and Erdelyi made it 9-10. The Vasic stepped up to score for Serbia and take the gold medal at 11-9.



Match reports and photographs: Russel McKinnon.
Award winners



MVP: Daniel Varga (HUN)


Best goalkeeper: Stefan Zivodinovic (SRB)


Highest goal-scorer Bret Bonnani (USA)


Best defender: Jessie Smith (USA)











España no estará en el Mundial de Kazan 2015


España no estará en el Mundial de Kazan 2015

23/08/2014 - NOTA RFEN.— Ante algunos comentarios aparecidos en las últimas horas en las redes sociales, nos hacemos eco de la información oficial de la Web FINA en la que informa, respecto a la Copa del Mundo Masculina de Waterpolo que se está celebrando en Almaty (Kazakhstan), que la derrota de la favorita Montenegro ante los anfitriones de Kazakhstan por 8—9 a 2.7 segundos del final provocó el delirio local y que la séptima plaza de España obtenida en los Europeos de Budapest 2014 sea estéril.
A falta de confirmación definitiva de la FINA sobre los países que finalmente han ganado su plaza para estar en los próximos Campeonatos del Mundo FINA Kazan 2015, la única vía para estar en el Mundial sería acceder al mismo por la renuncia de algún país y posterior invitación.
Conviene recordar que España -uno de los históricos en Campeonatos del Mundo desde siempre- jugó en el denominado "grupo de la muerte" del Europeo de Budapest 2014 frente a las campeonas olímpica, mundial y europea (Hungría, Croacia y Serbia) en julio, y que la clasificación directa era harto complicada, mientras que la indirecta dependía aún de lo que ocurriese en la actual Copa del Mundo en Almaty (Kazakhstan), donde Montenegro, que ha perdido el partido clave para nuestros intereses con una inferior Kazakhstan, ha jugado con un equipo B con solo dos titulares respecto al Campeonato de Europa de Budapest 2014 donde obtuvieron su plaza mundialista.
Una España en creciente renovación, no obstante, continúa su ruta de viaje para intentar llegar a los Juegos Olímpicos de Río 2016, en gran objetivo del actual ciclo, y se preparará para la Liga Mundial 2014-15 antes de los Campeonatos de Europa de Belgrado 2016 (enero) paso previo para alcanzar el billete para la gran cita olímpica.
Esta la Ficha técnica y el comentario en la Web oficial de la FINA sobre lo ocurrido en el partido que ha dejado fuera a España del Mundial de Kazan 2015:
Match 18: 15:50, 5-8 Semifinal, MONTENEGRO 8 KAZAKHSTAN 9
Quarters: 2-3, 4-1, 1-1, 1-4


Referees: Georgios Stavridis (GRE), Gabor Vogel (HUN).
Extra Man: MNE: 4/9. KAZ: 2/11.
Pens: KAZ: 1/1.

Teams:
MONTENEGRO: Dejan Lazovic, Marko Vukmirovic, Nikola Markovic, Stefan Vidovic (1), Darko Brguljan (6), Bogdan Durdic, Dorde Bulatovic, Jovan Saric, Radovan Latinovic, Nikola Murisic, Filip Klikovac (1), Uros Cuckovic, Slaven Kandic. Head Coach: Ranko Perovic.
KAZAKHSTAN: Makhmetov Madikhen, Sergey Gubarev (2), Yevgeniy Medvedev, Roman Pilipenko (1), Vladimir Ushakov (3), Alexey Shmider, Murat Shakenov (2), Anton Koliadenko, Rustam Ukumanov (1), Mikhail Ruday, Ravil Manafov, Branko Pekovich, Valeriy Shlemov., Head Coach: Sergey Drozdov.
Kazakhstan really wanted to beat Montenegro and qualify for the 2015 FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia. It needed to win the final quarter by three goals. It needed to score a goal in the dying seconds. This it did. Even thought it was semifinal for the 5-8 positions, because of the make-up of the tournament and the fact that four qualifiers would come from the top six positions, Kazakhstan needed to gain a spot as of right and not to have to go to next month’s Asian Games in Korea and win the title for the spot. Now it has the luxury of competing knowing that it has already booked a plane trip to Kazan. Rustam Ukumanov was the go-to man for the winner. He obliged off a superb pass from Vladimir Ushakov from the top left. Ukumanov was on the far post and he took the catch with ease, turned dlowly and planted the ball down in the bottom right while the goalkeeper was on the other side of the cage. The goal came at 0:02.7 seconds and the crowd was ecstatic. Montenegro, now not bringing a better team to Almaty, will be looking elsewhere to gain a spot in Kazan. Montenegro always struggled and without Darko Brguljan, it would have been toast. He scored six of Montenegro’s eight goals and when Kazakhstan twigged to his potency he was pushed out of the way in the final five minutes after he had just gained his sixth. Montenegro took the lead at 4-3 early in the second quarter and was 6-4 ahead at halftime. This became 7-4 late in the third before Ushakov converted a penalty goal five seconds from the final break. Murat Shakenov scored either side of Brguljan’s sixth goal and when Sergey Gubarev went on counter to score at 2:02, the pool was set alight and at 8-8 there was a good chance for Kazakhstan to win. It came after a timeout at 0:42 and an earned extra-man attack. Kazakhstan was patient and sought out the right man for victory. Montenegro, shocked early, did not know how to finish and looked hesitant. Kazakhstan, however, had a reputation and a home crowd to protect. An assistant coach for Montenegro gained a red card after the final goal.
Comunicación RFEN- Foto: Instante en el que Kazakhstan se presta a batir a Montenegro y dejar a España sin Mundial 2015 ( Russell McKinnon-FINA).


21 agosto 2014

Informe Khanty Mansiysk FINA Women´s Waterpolo World Cup 2014 y artículo Waterpolista.com

La experiencia de arbitrar una gran competición 

– Por Jaume Teixidó


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El estar presente en grandes competiciones es una enorme satisfacción personal y hace sentirme afortunado de poder representar al arbitraje nacional y a nuestro waterpolo. Sin duda es una gran responsabilidad pues la exigencia en estas grandes citas es muy alta. En ella participamos árbitros de los países participantes y árbitros que actúan cómo neutrales. Somos evaluados en todos los partidos y tenemos varias reuniones técnicas para analizar lo que sucede en los partidos. Con independencia de los partidos que en ellas actuemos, el mero hecho de estar presente es ya un premio. Tenemos que tener en cuenta que, sin ser profesionales, el ser convocados para estos eventos, hace que tengamos que dedicar muchos días e incluso semanas de nuestras vacaciones personales para poder asistir cuando somos convocados por los organismos Internacionales cómo LEN o FINA. Todos tenemos familia y obligaciones personales y laborales… A título de ejemplo, este mismo verano, en el Campeonato de Europa de Budapest, estuvimos 17 días fuera de casa y en la reciente FINA Women´s World Waterpolo Cup en Khanty Mansiysk algo más de una semana.
Cuando estamos tantos días fuera de casa, en estas competiciones, el intercambio de experiencias con árbitros de otros países y continentes es fundamental así cómo la convivencia con ellos. Sin duda esto hace más llevadero el estar lejos de tu familia y seres queridos. También tienes la ventaja en estas competiciones de conocer in situ las instrucciones e indicaciones en relación con los criterios de aplicación del reglamento vigentes en cada momento y que posteriormente trasladamos a la vocalía de waterpolo del CNA de nuestra RFEN para que lo comparta con el resto del colectivo arbitral.
Por otro lado, muy intensamente viví hace unos días la final de la FINA Women`s World Waterpolo Cup, la cual arbitre. Una experiencia única. Este mismo verano tuve la oportunidad de estar en el bronce femenino en el Europeo de Budapest en un Hungría Italia y al finalizar el mismo, nuestras guerreras ganaban el oro ante las holandesas. En Khanty Mansiysk , fui yo el que estuvo en el partido por el oro entre USA y Australia mientras nuestro equipo luchaba por el bronce ante las chinas. Ya en el segundo día de competición, en la fase de grupos, había dirigido este mismo partido USA – AUS con un ajustado 8-6 pero las finales siempre son diferentes. No nos podemos permitir el más mínimo error e intenté hacerlo lo mejor posible. He de confesar que tal cómo creo que me fueron los partidos y estando , desgraciadamente, nuestro equipo fuera de la final, tenía posibilidades de estar presente en ese partido cómo a la postre sucedió aunque no siempre es así. En ocasiones puedes realizar un buen campeonato pero no tener el premio como afortunadamente sucedió.
* A mediados de septiembre Teixidó explicará en WATERPOLISTA.com todo lo referente a las instrucciones de aplicación al reglamento de cara la temporada 2014/2015.
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17 agosto 2014

Day by day FINA Women´s World CUP Khanty-Mansiysk (RUS) 2014 (actualización diaria)





FINA World Cup Women´s desde Kanthy Mansiysk en streaming en :







Domingo Day 6 , finales




España, BRONCE, primer metal en Copa del Mundo


España, BRONCE, primer metal en Copa del Mundo

17/08/2014 - Las campeonas del Mundo y de Europa cerraron este domingo su participación en la Copa del Mundo FINA en Rusia con la medalla de BRONCE colgada al cuello tras ganar su último encuentro frente a la selección de China por 7—5. Miki Oca realizó cambios en Siberia respecto al Europeo para dar descanso a algunas de las jugadoras importantes de la selección española. A destacar que es la primera medalla del waterpolo femenino español en la historia de la Copa del Mundo. Enhorabuena!
CHINA 5 SPAIN 7
Periodos: 1-2, 1-2, 2-1, 1-2
Árbitros: Gabriella Varkonyi (HUN) y Marie-Claude Deslieres (CAN)

China: 
Jun Yang, Jing Zhang, Ping Liu, Yujun Sun, Huili Chen, Yating Sun (1), Donglun Song (1), Cong Zhang, Zihan Zhao (1), Jianing Tian, Xinyan Wang (1), Guannan Niu (1), Lin Peng. Entrenador: Rick Azevedo.
España: Patricia Herrera, Marta Bach, Anna Espar (4), Beatriz Ortiz, Matilde Ortiz (2), Helena Lloret, Clara Espar, Lorena Miranda, Mar Pastor, Roser Tarragó (1), Paula Chillida, Laura Vicente, María Sánchez. Entrenador: Miguel Oca.

Comunicación RFEN. Foto: Bronce mundial de España en la Copa del Mundo FINA 2014 / RFEN

USA retains World Cup crown with repeat win over Australia

|Sunday 17 August 2014, 17:31|Tim Hartog














United States of America continued its charmed run through the FINA World Cup with a repeat win over Australia for the week and the last two World Cups. In Christchurch four years ago, USA triumphed over Australia, giving the country a second World Cup to go with the inaugural World Cup in 1979. Now it has three. On the final day at the Ugra State University Sports Complex, USA won 10-6 and Australia has to be content with its third silver to go with three golds and four bronzes. In fact, Australia has contested the last three World Cup finals with head coach Greg McFadden at the helm, winning his first in 2006 in Tianjin, China. In today’s final, USA led 3-1 at the quarter and 7-3 at halftime, showing its dominance of this event in the last two editions. It was enough to get across the line with Australia scoring the only goal of the final period. Earlier in the week, USA beat Australia 8-6.
USA head Coach Adam Krikorian was ecstatic with the way his team played. “A great win caps off a very good summer for us. We played tough all week. It was comforting to come into the final with the right attitude and preparation. It was excellent. It was a little bit reminiscent of Christchurch (four years ago) when we got up (6-0 at halftime) and they battled back (6-3). Anyway, it was good to get a good lead. All credit to Australia for fighting back. We expected it.”
Goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson was voted best for the tournament, even though she did not play the final. Her efforts earlier in the week gained huge votes from opposition coaches. Australia’s Rowena Webster was voted the Most Valuable Player for the week and deservedly so with her six-goal effort to salvage the 10-8 quarter-final against Russia. Bronze went to Spain — its first at this level — and still on the dais after winning world gold in Barcelona last year and the European championships this year. China pulled the game back to 5-5 in the last, but Anna Espar claimed four goals including the go-ahead goal before teammate Roser Tarrago, one of the week’s standouts, scored the last.
In the play-off for fifth and sixth, Hungary emerged the victor over host nation Russia, 14-11, in what was an interesting match-up. It was 9-9 early in the final quarter before Hungary pulled away. Ekaterina Prokofyeva, Russia’s captain, amassed the highest number of goals with 24, including a nine-goal haul against Singapore. South Africa gained its first win of the week, a week in which three players were sidelined at various stages through injury. South Africa beat fellow World Cup newcomer Singapore 11-6.


2014 FINA Women's World Cup
Khanty-Mansiysk (RUS)


12-17 August, 2014

Results

Sunday, 17 August

Singapore (L17) vs. South Africa (L18) 6-11 (0-3, 3-2, 0-5, 3-1) - (7th/8th place)
SINGAPORE: Seet Low, Ting Koh (1), Su-Lynn Tan, Enci Kan, Adelyn Yew (1), Angeline Teo, Ser Han Neo, Lynette Tan (2), Yiwen Ng, Denise Chen (2), En Yuan Loke, Cheng Ong, Eunice Fu. Head Coach: Luo Nan.

SOUTH AFRICA: Anke Jacobs, Amica Hallendorf (2), Kieren Paley, Kim Rosslee (1), Carly Wessels, Samantha Shead (1), Chloe Bradley, Lee-Ann Keet, Christy Rawstrom (1), Megan Parkes (1), Deborah O’Hanlon (1), Kelsey White (4), Rebecca Thomas. Head Coach: Brad Rowe.

South Africa created World Cup history for its country with a first win at this level of competition. Both South Africa and Singapore were playing at a World Cup for the first time and they suffered some heavy defeats all week, so relished the chance for closer competition. The injury-prone South Africa had control in the early stages and led 5-0 at 5:21 in the second period before Singapore awoke and snapped in three straight goals, two from centre forward Denise Chen to close out the half at 5-3. Singapore then had a rampant opposition in the third period as South Africa slotted five unanswered goals with Kelsey White adding two more to the two she scored in the opening quarter. Deborah O’Hanlon scored with a penalty goal at 8-3. Singapore, keen to get back scoring, went to a timeout at 1:18 , but the resulting shot by Chen went wide of the mark. On Singapore’s next attack it took three shots on goal for no reward, the last a drag-back on the buzzer. Adelyn Yew brought Singapore back on track with a strong effort at centre forward to start the final quarter, scoring Singapore’s 10th goal of the tournament. Tan struck again two minutes later with a low missile from the top just after the extra-play period was over for 10-5 at 5:21. O’Hanlon stepped up for another penalty attempt, but Seet Low blocked the shot. Christy Rawstrom converted extra-man attack at 2:46 for 11-5. When Ting Koh scored from well outside at 0:57 for 11-6, it doubled Singapore’s tally for the tournament.



Hungary (W17) vs. Russia (W18) 14-11 (4-4, 5-4, 3-1, 3-1) - (5th/6th place)
HUNGARY: Orsolya Kaso, Dora Czigany, Dora Antal (1), Hannah Kisteleki (2), Gabriella Szucs (1), Orsolya Takacs, Anna Illes, Rita Keszthelyi (4), Ildiko Toth (3), Barbara Bujka (2), Anita Hevesi, Kata Menczinger (1), Edina Gangl. Head Coach: Andras Meresz.

RUSSIA: Maria Bersneva, Ekaterina Prokofyeva (1), Elvina Karimova (3), Valeriia Kolmakova (1), Olga Koryakina, Nadezhda Iarondaykina (1), Maria Borisova (1), Anna Kravchenko, Anna Grineva (2), Evgeniya Ivanova (2), Daria Ryzhkova. Anna Karnaukh. Head Coach: Mikhail Nakoriakov.

Hungary and Russia could have expected higher finishes at this tournament, but such was the luck and superior play of other teams, they had to settle for fifth and sixth. Hungary came through in what was an engrossing match. The pace of the match was frantic from the start with 17 goals by halftime. Hungary started fastest at 2-0, only to be overtaken 3-2 by Russia — five goals in just over three minutes. The eight goals in the quarter were scored by eight different players. The intensity was there still in the second quarter Barbara Bujka took Hungary to the lead and, soon after Rita Keszthelyi had a penalty attempt blocked by Anna Karnaukh, Maria Borisova regained the lead for Russia at 6-5. Hannah Kisteleki and Kata Menczinger brought Hungary 7-6 ahead, only for Elvina Karimova to respond. The match see-sawed through to 10-9 midway through the third period when Prokofyeva had her penalty attempt blocked by  Orsolya Kaso.  Ildiko Toth, who missed a match through injury earlier in the week, scored at centre forward and Keszthelyi drilled a shot on counter at 3:26 for 12-9 and the final goal of the period. Karimova gave Russia hope on extra at 6:26, but Kiszthelyi, then Valeriia Kolmakova and Keszthelyi again, for her 24th goal of the tournament had the match secured at 0:26.



China (L19) vs. Spain (L20) 5-7 (1-2, 1-2, 2-1, 1-2) - (3rd/4th place)
CHINA: Jun Yang, Jing Zhang, Ping Liu, Yujun Sun, Huili Chen, Yating Sun (1), Donglun Song (1), Cong Zhang, Zihan Zhao (1), Jianing Tian, Xinyan Wang (1), Guannan Niu (1), Lin Peng. Head Coach: Rick Azevedo.

SPAIN: Patricia Herrera, Marta Bach, Anna Espar (4), Beatriz Ortiz, Matilde Ortiz (2), Helena Lloret, Clara Espar, Lorena Miranda, Mar Pastor, Roser Tarrago (1), Paula Chillida, Laura Vicente, Maria Sanchez. Head Coach: Miguel Oca.

Spain gained its first World Cup medal, out-gunning China 7-5 with two late goals and the experience and guile of Anna Espar. It was Espar who grabbed the limelight with four goals and could have taken a fifth had she not had her penalty attempt blocked six minutes from full time. Once Espar scored from outside and then from centre forward to take Spain into the lead at 2-1 in the first quarter, the world and European champion maintained the advantage, despite China coming back at 2-2 at the start of the second period, and then 5-5 early in the final quarter. When Zihan Zhao equalised at 5-5, the match looked like it could go to a penalty shootout, something that did not look likely in any of the four matches on Saturday. There was a buzz in the pool and both teams had the experience of big matches to produce a winning effort. Espar did not succeed with the penalty but she did strike back three minutes later on extra for her fourth goal. Then Roser Tarrago, so much the driving force for Spain all week, struck the winning goal and China’s effort after a timeout was commendable, but too late. Yating Sun was given the ball at two metres and snappily went with a backhand shot that was blocked. If it went in, China could have won the ball and equalised. However, Spain was not to be denied a medal, something that is starting to become a habit. Head Coach Miguel Oca said on Saturday that his team had no right to expect title after title. They had to be earned each tournament, he said.



USA (W19) vs. Australia (W20) 10-6 (3-1, 4-2, 3-2, 0-1) - (1st/2nd place)
USA: Samantha Hill, Alys Williams, Melissa Seidemann (3), Rachel Fattal (1), Caroline Clark, Maggie Steffens (1), Courtney Mathewson (2), Kiley Neushul (2), Jillian Kraus, Kaleigh Gilchrist, Annike Dries, Kameryn Craig (1), Ashleigh Johnson. Head Coach: Adam Krikorian.

AUSTRALIA: Lilian Hedges, Jayde Appel, Hannah Buckling, Bronte Colenso, Isobel Bishop, Bronwen Knox (1), Rowie Webster (2), Glencora McGhie (2), Zoe Arancini, Ashleigh Southern, Morgan Baxter, Keesja Gofers (1) , Kelsey Wakefield. Head Coach: Greg McFadden.

United States of America proved why it is one of the best teams of the past decade, collecting a second consecutive gold medal, while Australia had to settle for silver for the second time, following a third consecutive appearance, winning gold in 2006. USA had the goods in all departments and used them effectively. It was a high-class match as they always are, as evidenced by Olympic, World League and World Cup titles. Only Spain’s world title has eluded it in recent years. The Aussie Stingers began the goal assault, but USA struck the next four times and it was not until two minutes into the second period that Australia made it 4-2. By halftime, USA had taken a stranglehold with a 7-3 margin. Australia kept fighting back, but just when it looked good at 7-5 down by 4:31 in the third, USA hammered in three more for 10-5 by the end of the third quarter. Courtney Mathewson converted one of the few penalty conversions of the day. Glencora McGhie brought one back  at 4:18 in the final quarter and a late timeout ploy saw Ashleigh Southern smash the crossbar. It was not to be Australia’s day, but it goes home with 10 medals in this competition, second only to the Netherlands, who have 12. USA and Australia now have three golds, which USA has five silvers and a bronze compared to Australia’s three silvers and four bronzes.

Australian head coach Greg McFadden said: “USA is a very good team and been together since May. They are a well-drilled team and do not have many weaknesses. We made some silly errors and maissed opportunities and didn’t get close enough to put pressure on them. The senior players — Rowie (Webster), Glennie (Glencora McGhie) and Bronnie (captain Bronwen Knox), worked their butts off all week.”



Final placings
1. United States of America
2. Australia
3, Spain
4. China
5. Hungary
6. Russia
7. South Africa
8. Singapore

Awards
Most Valuable player:   Rowena Webster (AUS)
Best Goalkeeper:         Ashleigh Johnson (USA)
Highest goal-scorer:     Rita Keszthelyi (HUN)    24 goals

Media All Star Team
Goalkeeper:
Ashleigh Johnson (USA)

Centre forward:
Kameryn Craig (USA)

Field players:       
Rita Keszthelyi (HUN)
Ekaterina Prokofyeva (RUS)
Yujun Sun (CHN)
Roser Tarrago (ESP)
Rowena Webster (AUS)

Match reports and photographs: Russel McKinnon.


Sábado Day 5 , semifinales






Equipo mixto de árbitros y delegados presentes en la competición que nos enfrentamos a un combinado local
en un partido amistoso.


FINA W. Cup: España, a por el bronce ante China


16/08/2014 - España no podrá disputar el oro ante USA en la Copa del Mundo FINA de Rusia —en la que hubiera sido una reedición de la final del Mundial de BCN2013— al perder hace unos minutos ante Australia por 8—2 (2—1, 1—0, 3—1 y 2—0). El equipo de Miki Oca, que cuenta con ausencias notables respecto al Europeo de Budapest por descanso, jugará este domingo por la medalla de bronce frente a la selección de China, que a su vez perdió ante Estados Unidos por 11—4.
La excelente noticia para nuestra delegación es que el español Jaume Teixidó arbitrará la gran final de la Copa del Mundo FINA Australia-USA formando pareja con el ruso Alexei Kaprivin.

AUSTRALIA 8 - 2 ESPAÑA
Periodos: 2-1, 1-0, 3-1, 2-0
Arbitros:
 Alexey Krapivin (RUS) Y Gabriella Varkonyi (HUN)
AUSTRALIA: Lilian Hedges, Jayde Appel, Hannah Buckling, Bronte Colenso, Isobel Bishop, Bronwen Knox (3), Rowie Webster (2), Glencora McGhie (2), Zoe Arancini, Ashleigh Southern, Morgan Baxter, Keesja Gofers (1), Kelsey Wakefield. Entrenador: Greg McFadden.
ESPAÑA: Patricia Herrera, Marta Bach, Anna Espar, Beatriz Ortiz, Matilde Ortiz, Helena Lloret, Clara Espar, Lorena Miranda, Mar Pastor, Roser Tarrago (2), Paula Chillida, Laura Vicente, Maria Sanchez. Entrenador: Miguel Oca.

USA to defend World Cup crown against Australia

|Saturday 16 August 2014, 12:24|Tim Hartog

















Defending champion United States of America and Australia was face off in Sunday’s gold-medal final after both teams had convincing semifinal victories. USA beat off China 11-4 and Australia had the better of world and European champion Spain 8-2. on day five of the FINA Women’s Water Polo World Cup at the Ugra State University Sports Complex. In the semifinal round for place 5-8, Hungary shunted Singapore 42-0 and Russia was kinder to South Africa, winning 22-2.




2014 FINA Women's World Cup
Khanty-Mansiysk (RUS)


12-17 August, 2014

Schedule and results

Saturday, 16 August

Hungary (L13) vs. Singapore (L16) 42-0 (14-0, 11-0, 7-0, 10-0)
 - game 17
HUNGARY: Orsolya Kaso, Dora Czigany (5), Dora Antal (5), Hannah Kisteleki (2), Gabriella Szucs (2), Orsolya Takacs, Anna Illes (2), Rita Keszthelyi (9), Ildiko Toth (3), Barbara Bujka (8), Anita Hevesi (1), Kata Menczinger (5), Edina Gangl. Head Coach: Andras Meresz.

SINGAPORE: Seet Low, Ting Koh, Su-Lynn Tan, Enci Kan, Adelyn Yew, Angeline Teo, Ser Han Neo, Lynette Tan, Yiwen Ng, Denise Chen, En Yuan Loke, Cheng Ong, Eunice Fu. Head Coach: Luo Nan.

Hungary was far too strong for Singapore and did not take the foot off the pedal at any stage. As Hungary pressed for much of the time, Singapore struggled to get the ball up front and when it did have chances, it failed to take the opportunities.



Russia (L14) vs. South Africa (L15) 22-2 (7-0, 5-1, 9-0, 1-1) - game 18
RUSSIA: Maria Bersneva (2), Ekaterina Prokofyeva (2), Elvina Karimova (3), Valeriia Kolmakova (1), Olga Koryakina (2), Nadezhda Iarondaykina (3), Maria Borisova (1), Anna Kravchenko (1), Anna Grineva (1), Evgeniya Ivanova (3), Daria Ryzhkova (3). Anna Karnaukh. Head Coach: Mikhail Nakoriakov

SOUTH AFRICA: Anke Jacobs, Amica Hallendorf, Kieren Paley, Kim Rosslee (1), Carly Wessels, Samantha Shead (1), Chloe Bradley, Lee-Ann Keet, Christy Rawstrom, Megan Parkes, Deborah O’Hanlon, Kelsey White, Rebecca Thomas. Head Coach: Brad Rowe.

Russia played to win and give South Africa respect and South Africa responded with two goals and plenty of blocks and saves against a far superior team. With the result never being in doubt and eyes only on Hungary in Sunday’s play-off for fifth and sixth, Russia played with purpose in the first half and then the stars were rested to allow the full team water time. One of South Africa’s goals came on extra at the end of the second quarter at 12-1 and the second goal in action settled for 21-2 late in the fourth. In fact, such was South Africa’s resolve, it scored the first goal of the period at 2:58 and finished the eight minutes at 1-1.  Russia’s number one goalkeeper, Evgeniia Novoksenova, did not play, suffering from illness.



China (W13) vs. USA (W16) 4-11 (0-4, 0-3, 3-2, 1-2) - game 19
CHINA: Jun Yang, Jing Zhang, Ping Liu, Yujun Sun, Huili Chen, Yating Sun, Donglun Song (1), Cong Zhang (1), Zihan Zhao (1), Jianing Tian, Xinyan Wang, Guannan Niu (1), Lin Peng. Head Coach: Rick Azevedo.

USA: Samantha Hill, Alys Williams, Melissa Seidemann (1), Rachel Fattal (1), Caroline Clark (1), Maggie Steffens (4), Courtney Mathewson (1), Kiley Neushul (1), Jillian Kraus, Kaleigh Gilchrist, Annike Dries, Kameryn Craig (2), Ashleigh Johnson. Head Coach: Adam Krikorian.

When a team comes out and keeps the other scoreless in a World Cup semifinal for the first half, there must be something special about that team. USA owns the Olympic, World League and World Cup crowns and desperately wants to retain the title here in Khanty-Mansiysk. With a Kami Craig centre-forward special in the first minute, two Maggie Steffens goals — one on extra and the other on counter — USA was well placed. Kiley Neushul added a fourth with three seconds left from the top right. More damage was to ensue in the second quarter as Caroline Clark, Steffens with a third and Rachel Fattal with her 10th of the tournament set the bar high for China to jump. China settled in the third and won the period 3-2. Guannan Niu opened the period on extra and Craig responded. Cong Zhang sent in a soft lob down the left and Zihan Zhao nailed a third. Steffens closed the quarter with a close-in shot from deep left for 9-3, a margin almost too big for China to even contemplate surpassing. China maintained the pressure on USA in the final period, but USA was too good and not wanting to lose another period, as it marches on to Sunday’s final.

Australia (W14) vs. Spain (W15) 8-2 (2-1, 1-0, 3-1, 2-0) - game 20
AUSTRALIA: Lilian Hedges, Jayde Appel, Hannah Buckling, Bronte Colenso, Isobel Bishop, Bronwen Knox (3), Rowie Webster (2), Glencora McGhie (2), Zoe Arancini, Ashleigh Southern, Morgan Baxter, Keesja Gofers (1), Kelsey Wakefield. Head Coach: Greg McFadden.

SPAIN: Patricia Herrera, Marta Bach, Anna Espar, Beatriz Ortiz, Matilde Ortiz, Helena Lloret, Clara Espar, Lorena Miranda, Mar Pastor, Roser Tarrago (2), Paula Chillida, Laura Vicente, Maria Sanchez. Head Coach: Miguel Oca.

Australia and Spain played an amazing game of water polo, but Australia conquered the world and European champion with a powerful effort built on teamwork and skills around the pool. Throw in a three-goal effort to captain Bronwen Knox, who is approaching 300 internationals, and you have a team capable of matching it with USA in Sunday’s final. Knox scored two goals in the first quarter to Spanish powerhouse Roser Tarrago’s one. The second quarter saw both teams battering each other for little effect, although Glencora McGhie countered down the right for the 3-1 goal and only score of the period. After two periods of compact action where both teams crushed any attempt of a breakout, the third period lit up the stadium. Firstly Tarrago broke a 15-minute drought for Spain when allowed to shoot from seven metres for 3-2. However, Rowena Webster responded instantly on an extra-man attack for the second two-goal margin of the match. Then McGhie scored a second for 5-2. The match had suddenly changed. Both teams took timeouts to no avail and when Australia regained the ball in the dying seconds of the quarter, Webster took the ball on her 2m line, watched the clock and launched a satellite, slipping the ball through the hands of Spanish goalkeeper Patricia Herrera into the top left on zero seconds for a 6-2 margin going into the final period. Knox converted extra for 7-2 at 3:09 and the writing was on the wall. Spain gained a penalty when Hannah Buckling went for her third major and Tarrago, so often the heroine this tournament, had her shot blocked by Kelsey Wakefield. Down the other end, Keesja Gofers made the most of some confusion to lob Herrera at 0:26 for the 8-2 scoreline and a gold-medal-final berth.



Leading Scorers
Rita Keszthelyi (HUN) 20
Kameryn Craig (USA) 17
Roser Tarrago (ESP) 17
Elvina Karimova (RUS) 16
Rowena Webster (AUS) 14
Barbara Bujka (HUN) 14
Nadezhda Iarondaykina (RUS) 13
Hannah Kisteleki (HUN) 11
Ekaterina Prokofyeva (RUS) 11
Evgeniya Ivanova (RUS) 11
Dora Antal (HUN) 10
Rachel Fattal (USA) 10

Match reports and photographs: Russel McKinnon.

Sunday, 17 August

15.00: Singapore (L17) vs. South Africa (L18) - (7th/8th place)
16.30: Hungary (W17) vs. Russia (W18) - (5th/6th place)
18.00: China (L19) vs. Spain (L20) - (3rd/4th place)
19.30: USA (W19) vs. Australia (W20) - (1st/2nd place)





















*****

Viernes 15/08/14 Day 4
Empiezan los cuartos de final


FINA World Cup: España jugará por las medallas


15/08/2014 - Las actuales campeonas del Mundo y de Europa se han metido por méritos propios en las semifinales de la Copa del Mundo FINA 2014 que se está celebrando en Khanty—Mansiysk (Rusia) al imponerse esta tarde a Sudáfrica por 12—2 (2—0, 3—0, 3—0 y 4—2) en un choque desigual, con Laura Vicente y Roser Tarragó como máximas artilleras con tres tantos cada una. En la clasificación de goleadoras, sigue dominando esta última con 15 tantos. España se medirá en semifinales a Australia, y USA a China.

ESPAÑA 12 SUDAFRICA 2
Parciales: 
2-0, 3-0, 3-0 y 4-2
Arbitros: Marcela Mauss (GER) y Yagi Wang (CHN)
ESPAÑA: Patricia Herrera, Marta Bach, Anna Espar (1), Beatriz Ortiz, Matilde Ortiz (2), Helena Lloret (2), Clara Espar, Lorena Miranda (1), Mar Pastor, Roser Tarrago (3), Paula Chillida, Laura Vicente (3), Maria Sanchez. Entrenador: Miguel Oca.
SUDAFRICA: Anke Jacobs, Amica Hallendorf, Kieren Paley, Kim Rosslee, Carly Wessels, Samantha Shead (1), Chloe Bradley, Lee-Ann Keet, Christy Rawstrom (1), Megan Parkes, Deborah O’Hanlon, Kelsey White, Rebecca Thomas. Entrenador: Brad Rowe.

China-USA and Australia-Spain to clash in semi-finals - World Cup day 4

|Friday 15 August 2014, 11:09|Tim Hartog


























China, Spain, United States of America and Australia will contest the semifinals at the FINA Women’s Water Polo World Cup at the Ugra State University Sports Complex on Saturday. In play on Friday, China downed Hungary 8-6, world champion Spain defeated South Africa 12-2, Olympic champion United States of America sent off Singapore 24-2 and Australia held off Russia 10-8. In the semi-finals, China will face USA and Australia will take on Spain to see who contests the gold-medal final on Sunday.



2014 FINA Women's World Cup
Khanty-Mansiysk (RUS)


12-17 August, 2014

Schedule and results
Friday, 15 August


China (2A) vs. Hungary (3B) 8-6 (2-1, 3-2, 2-1, 1-2) - game 13
CHINA: Jun Yang, Jing Zhang (1), Ping Liu, Yujun Sun (2), Huili Chen, Yating Sun, Donglun Song (2), Cong Zhang, Zihan Zhao (3), Jianing Tian, Xinyan Wang, Guannan Niu, Lin Peng. Head Coach: Rick Azevedo.

HUNGARY: Orsolya Kaso, Dora Czigany, Dora Antal, Hannah Kisteleki (1), Gabriella Szucs, Orsolya Takacs (1), Anna Illes, Rita Keszthelyi (2), Ildiko Toth (2), Barbara Bujka, Anita Hevesi, Kata Menczinger, Edina Gangl. Head Coach: Andras Meresz.

Wow Zhao! Zihan Zhao did the unthinkable and won the quarterfinal match for China in the dying minute to advance to Saturday’s semifinals. China dominated throughout, but Hungary was not to be denied and two quick goals in the last three minutes had the match at 7-6 and the result in the balance. When Hungary had what looked like a certain goal blocked by a defender, China advanced up the field and the ball became stranded with Zhao wide on the right. She was looking everywhere to pass and it was obvious the centre forward wanted it. So much so that the Hungarian goalkeeper moved towards the hole position and Zhao squeeked the ball in from an acute angle from the sideline. It was 8-6 at 0:42 and Hungary’s last attempt was blocked, giving China the match. Hungary opened the match at the five-minute mark, such was the tight defence. Eight minutes later China was 4-1 up. China went to 6-3 and 7-4 in a period where the extra-man chances for China were denied by Hungary who dropped two players into the cage. All this did was to allow China to score after the extra-man period. In fact, six came in this manner, meaning China really had seven from 12 attempts. Hungary changed the tactic and it was more effective. Hungary was gutted when it had three shots from point blocked at the five-four-minute mark. Barbara Bujke did her best attempt yet at centre forward only for Yang Jun to clock. Hannah Kisteleki had her counter-attack attempt also blocked by Jun and then Bujke was denied again off a cross pass on extra. It was not Hungary’s day.

Spain (1A) vs. South Africa (4B) 12-2 (2-0, 3-0, 3-0, 4-2) - game 15
SPAIN: Patricia Herrera, Marta Bach, Anna Espar (1), Beatriz Ortiz, Matilde Ortiz (2), Helena Lloret (2), Clara Espar, Lorena Miranda (1), Mar Pastor, Roser Tarrago (3), Paula Chillida, Laura Vicente (3), Maria Sanchez. Head Coach: Miguel Oca.

SOUTH AFRICA: Anke Jacobs, Amica Hallendorf, Kieren Paley, Kim Rosslee, Carly Wessels, Samantha Shead (1), Chloe Bradley, Lee-Ann Keet, Christy Rawstrom (1), Megan Parkes, Deborah O’Hanlon, Kelsey White, Rebecca Thomas. Head Coach: Brad Rowe.

pain moved into the semifinals with a comfortable win over South Africa, a team with two players probably out for the tournament with a broken nose (captain Kelsey White) and concussion (Kieren Paley) respectively while a third injured player, goalkeeper Anke Jacobs, returned to play today.  White and Paley sat on the bench. It was the best performance by South Africa against the world and European champion team playing consistent water polo and saving a lot of energy for the semifinals and beyond. The stout resistance by South Africa and its constant long shots were a good progression in this tournament. Spain scored twice from the penalty line in the final quarter and made the most of extra-man offence tactics. Roser Tarrago continued to impress with her all-round play and three goals took her tally for the week to 15. For South Africa, Christy Rawstrom from the top just creasing the cross bar and Samantha Shead with an excellent centre-forward-turning goal, gave some joy in the final quarter. Spanish head coach Miki Oca was happy with the result: “We’re now in the semifinal,” he said.



Singapore (4A) vs. USA (1B) 0-24 (0-8, 0-7, 0-5, 0-4) - game 16
SINGAPORE: Seet Low, Ting Koh, Su-Lynn Tan, Enci Kan, Adelyn Yew, Angeline Teo, Ser Han Neo, Lynette Tan, Yiwen Ng, Denise Chen, En Yuan Loke, Cheng Ong, Eunice Fu. Head Coach: Luo Nan.

USA: Samantha Hill, Alys Williams (1), Melissa Seidemann (3), Rachel Fattal (1), Caroline Clark (1), Maggie Steffens (3), Courtney Mathewson, Kiley Neushul (2), Jillian Kraus (2), Kaleigh Gilchrist (4), Annike Dries (2), Kameryn Craig (5), Ashleigh Johnson. Head Coach: Adam Krikorian.

Olympic and world champion USA marched into the semifinals with a resounding victory over Singapore. USA used its full team and played hard the entire match, showing that Singapore had improved considerably since earlier in the week. Much can be said of USA’s sharpness and swift tactics, which proved too hard to overcome for Singapore. To its credit, Singapore defended stoutly, but trying to control a powerful centre forward like Kameryn Craig proved almost impossible. The accuracy of the USA shooting from the top and the speed off the catch will prove valuable for the next two days as it attempts to go back to back in this competition after Christchurch. The pool in which USA won the title was destroyed in the devastating earthquake just a week later and the entire QEII complex has since been demolished.



Russia (3A) vs. Australia (2B) 8-10 (2-2, 2-3, 2-3, 2-2) - game 14
RUSSIA: Evgeniia Novoksenova, Maria Bersneva, Ekaterina Prokofyeva, Elvina Karimova (2), Valeriia Kolmakova (1), Olga Koryakina, Nadezhda Iarondaykina (2), Maria Borisova (1), Anna Kravchenko, Anna Grineva, Evgeniya Ivanova (1), Daria Ryzhkova (1). Anna Karnaukh. Head Coach: Mikhail Nakoriakov.

AUSTRALIA: Lilian Hedges, Jayde Appel, Hannah Buckling, Bronte Colenso, Isobel Bishop, Bronwen Knox, Rowie Webster (6), Glencora McGhie, Zoe Arancini (1), Ashleigh Southern (2), Morgan Baxter, Keesja Gofers (1), Kelsey Wakefield. Head Coach: Greg McFadden.

The Webster factor proved the downfall of Russia with the powerful shooter sending in six goals to be the standout player for the Aussie Stingers and send the team through to a semifinal clash with world champion Spain on Saturday. Russia had to play catch-up and this it did, coming back four times at 1-1, 3-3, 6-6 and crucially 8-8 at 5:43 in the final quarter. Australia did a number on Russia’s star and captain Ekaterina Prokofyeva, keeping her off the scoresheet, something that proved critical. Webster may have been finishing off, but Glencora McGhie played her heart out on Prokofyeva. Australian captain Bronwen Knox was strong at centre forward and centre back as her team also had to come back, levelling at 2-2 late in the first and 4-4 in the second quarter. Nadezhda Iarondaykina, a sensation at this tournament, kept the huge crowd happy with two quick goals early in the fourth period to level the match. But, it was Webster who received an inside pass from Knox to lob for 9-8. Both teams took timeouts near the end of the match with Australia taking the second and Webster’s first shot rebounding to Ashleigh Southern, who scored what proved to be the winner on extra-man attack at 0:59. Russia had the ball stolen and Australia wasted time, giving no chance for Russia to get one back. Australia head coach Greg McFadden said: “We were kind of comfortable at times, but then made silly mistakes at crucial times and Russia’s counter-attack proved dangerous. We couldn’t find consistency. However, to come away with a win against the home side at home is fantastic. I’m pretty pleased. Rowie (Webster) played a blinder.”



Leading Scorers
Roser Tarrago (ESP) 15
Kameryn Craig (USA) 13
Elvina Karimova (RUS) 13
Rowena Webster (AUS) 12
Rita Keszthelyi (HUN) 11
Nadezhda Iarondaykina (RUS) 10
Ekaterina Prokofyeva (RUS) 9
Hannah Kisteleki (HUN) 9
Yujun SUN (CHN) 9
Rachel Fattal (USA) 9

Match reports and photographs: Russel McKinnon.

Saturday, 16 August

15.00: Hungary (L13) vs. Singapore (L16) - game 17
16.30: Russia (L14) vs. South Africa (L15) - game 18
18.00: China (W13) vs. USA (W16) - game 19
18.30: Australia (W14) vs. Spain (W15) - game 20

Sunday, 17 August

15.00: L17 vs. L18 (7th/8th place)
16.30: W17 vs. W18 (5th/6th place)
18.00: L19 vs. L20 (3rd/4th place)
19.30: W19 vs. W20 (1st/2nd place)





















*****