Medal contenders recorded easy wins in the first three matches of the second day of the women’s tournament at the 34th European Championships in Budapest.
The reigning champion the Netherlands, Greece and Russia dominated today.
Day 2 results (morning/afternoon session)
Group A: Croatia – Greece 3:18, Russia – Serbia 27:2.
Group B: Germany – Netherlands 2:31.
34th European Championships, women, Day 2
Group A
Russia – Serbia 27:2 (6:2, 8:0, 8:0, 5:0)
Russia: Fedotova 7, Serzhantova 6, Gorbunova 4, Borisova 3, Ivanova 3, Karimova 2, Timofeeva 2.
Serbia: Mandic 1, Vukovic 1.
Extra player shot Russia 6/12, Serbia 0/1. Penalty shots: Russia 2/2.
Yesterday, the Russians defeated newcomer to ECH Slovakia 31:2, while they were very close to scoring 30 goals today. But, they netted “just” 27. The Russians’ defense was superb once more. Serbia its last goal scored 47 seconds before the first break (2:5). The best players in front of Serbia’s goal were Anastasia Fedotova with 7 , and Alena Serzhatova with 6 goals.
Gorbunova (RUS) and Pantovic (SRB ) Photo:lalex k./Total Waterpolo
Croatia – Greece 3:18 (0:6, 2:4, 0:5, 1:3)
Croatia: Miljkovic 1, Miroslavic 1, D. Butic 1.
Greece: Eleftheriadou 3, Plevritou 3, Xenaki 3, Diamantopoulou 2, Avramidou 2, Myriokefalitaki 2, Tsoukala 1, Plevritou 1, Ninou 1.
Extra player shot: Croatia 0/6, Greece 7/13. Penalty shots: Greece 2/2.
The encounter between Croatia and Greece was, also, a one-sided contest. Greece rushed to a 7:0 lead before the Croats scored their first goal.
Evening session: Slovakia – Hungary
Rankings: 1. Russia 6 (2), 2. Greece 6 (2), 3. Hungary 3 (1), 4. Slovakia 0 (1), 5. Croatia 0 (2), 6. Serbia 0 (2).
Group B
Germany – Netherlands 3:23 (1:6, 0:5, 0:5, 2:7)
Germany: Pannasch 2, Krukenberg 1.
Netherlands: Sevenich 4, Van de Kraats 4, Megens 3, Van der Sloot 3, Keuning 3, Wolves 2, Genee 1, Stomphorst 1, Rogge 1, Joustra 1.
Extra player shot: Germany 1/1, Netherlands 5/7. Penalty shots: 2/2.
After yesterday’s 22:3 win over Israel, titleholder Netherlands ran over Germany. The final score was almost the same as in the encounter between these two sides ar the previous championships in Barcelona 2018 when the Dutch beat the Germans 22:2 in the quarterfinals.
Catharina van der Sloot (NED) before the match Photo: Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo
Evening session: Israel – France, Italy – Spain.
Rankings: 1. Netherlands 6 (2 matches), 2. Spain 3 (1), 3. Italy 3 (1), 4. France 0 (1), 5. Israel 0 (1), 6. Germany 0 (2).
