The fourth day of the Women’s European U17 Championships in Volos (Greece) saw a big surprise.
The winner of the day was Slovakia, which upset Hungary (9:7) in the crossover round.
In other crossover matches, Serbia defeated Great Britain (10:6), France beat Germany (11:8), while Russia overpowered Israel (20:4).
Quarterfinals (5 September)
Italy (1B)- France
Spain (1D) –Serbia
Netherlands(1C) Slovakia
Greece (1A) – Russia
Classification 9 – 12, semifinals (5 September): Great Britain – Hungary, Germany – Israel.
Semifinals (7 September): France or Italy – Spain or Serbia, Netherlands or Slovakia – Russia or Greece.
Women’s European U17 Championships, Day 4
Crossover round
Hungary – Slovakia 7:9 (2:2, 2:4, 1:2, 2:1)
Hungary: Dobi 2, Forgacs 1, Szabo 1, David 1, Alkasza 1, Domsodi 1.
Slovakia: Grezdova 2, Kissova 2, Halocka 2, Kolarova 2, Junasova 1.
Slovakia suffered big losses to Spain (6:18) and Russia (5:28) in Group C, while Hungary was very close to winning the 1st place in Group B. Few could expect that Slovakia might defeat Hungary, which was among the favourites for the medals. Still, a big surprise happened.
Hungary had a slim lead in the first quarter (1:0, 2:1). Slovakia turned around the deficit to a 2-goal advantage in the second quarter (4:2, 5:3, 6:4). The Slovaks added two goals after the middle break to build a 4-goal gap (8:4).
The Hungarians answered with three goals in a row and came to 7:8 with 3.23 remaining on the clock. But, Slovakia’s Katarina Kissova found the net for 9:7 two minutes from the end and her team secured a sensational victory.
Germany – France 8:11 (3:3, 2:0, 1:3, 2:5)
Germany: Vunder 4, Tadday 2, Plotz 1, Kulstra 1.
France: Benlekbir 4, Vernoux 3, Bouloukbachi 2, Barriere 1, Heurtaux 1.
Germany was leading for most of the time. But, before the last period, the teams were on the same starting point. The score was 6:6. Early in the fourth quarter, France earned its first lead in the match (7:6). Germany equalised quickly after that. France then netted four unanswered goals and jumped to an 11:7 lead. The Germans couldn’t recover from that shock.
Serbia – Great Britain 10:6 (2:0, 2:1, 2:4, 4:1)
Serbia: Ilic 3, Kaplarevic 2, Trmcic 1, Miskovic 1, Avdic 1, Milicevic 1, Roncevic 1.
Great Britain: Mills 3, Henderson 2, Poole 1.
Serbia opened the match with a 4:0 rush. The Brits were able to come back. The team of Great Britain broke the deadlock in the last second of the 2nd quarter (1:4) and caught Serbia in the 23rd minute (5:5). The Serbian teenagers dominated the last quarter and recorded a 10:6 victory.
Russia – Israel 20:4 (3:0, 4:0, 6:1, 7:3)
Russia: Sharafutdinova 4, Lapteva 4, Panfilova 3, Bogdanova 3, Golubeva 3, Vorontsova 2, Bunakova 1.
Israel: Bogachenko 2, Yaacobi 1, Sasover 1.
Russia left no chance to Israel. The Russians earned a 12:0 lead before Israel scored its first goal two minutes from the end of the third period.
Classification 13-16, semifinals
Romania – Bulgaria 19:7 (6:2, 4:1, 6:1, 3:3)
Romania: Piedemonte 6, Olteanu 5, Bonca 4, Cristea 2, Sucigan 1, Sandu 1.
Bulgaria: Rumenova 3, Naneva 3, Dimitrova 1.
Czech Republic – Turkey 5:6 (2:2, 0:1, 2:1, 1:2)
Czech Republic: Drnkova 3, Hola 2.
Turkey: Visha 3, Duran 1, Arici 1, Uysal 1.
Romania and Turkey will face off in the match for the 13th place on Friday, while the Czech Republic and Bulgaria will meet in the encounter for the 15th place.
