The morning/afternoon session of the third day at the women’s European Championships in Budapest saw three high-scoring matches, in which favorites left no chance their opponents.
The French beat Germany 17:5 and collected the points which will probably secure them a spot in the quarterfinals. Spain trashed Israel 18:2, while Greece “copied” Spain’s win. In the last of the three matches, the Greeks taught a lesson to Slovakia – 18:2
The women’s tournament, Day 3 results (morning/afternoon session)
Group A: Greece – Slovakia
Group B: Spain – Israel 18:2, France – Germany 17:5.
34th European Championships, women, Day 3
Group A
Greece – Slovakia 18:2 (4:0, 4:2, 6:0,4:0)
Greece:M. Plevritou 5, E. Plevritou 3, Xenaki 3, Diamantopoulou 2, Kotsia 2, Tsoukala 1, Mzrokefalitaki 1, Ninou 1.
Slovakia:Kolarova 1, Stankovianska 1.
Extra player shot: Greece 1/3, Slovakia 1/3. Penalty shots: Greece 1/1.
Greece,led by Margareta Plevritidou, rushed to a 6:0 lead and didn’t slow down until the last buzzer. The Greeks continued their winning streak, but the big challenges are ahead of them. In the last two rounds, they will play against Russia and Hungary.
Greece – Slovakia Photo: Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo
Evening session: Serbia – Croatia, Hungary – Russia.
Ranking: 1 Greece 9 (3 games), 2. Russia 6 (2), 3. Hungary 6 (2), 4. Croatia 0 (2), 5. Serbia 0 (2), 6. Slovakia 0 (3).
Group B
France – Germany 17:5 (7:1, 3:1, 3:1, 4:2)
France: Dhaullin 3, Bachelier 3, Daule 3, Millot 2, Vernoux 2, Bouloukbachi 1, Guillet 1, Mahieu 1, Radosavljevic 1.
Germany: G. Deike 2, Vosseberg 1, Stiefel 1, Heerdt 1.
Extra player shot: France 5/9, Germany 2/6. Penalty shots: France1/2.
France was a favorite against Germany. Two years ago, France defeated the Germans 13:5 in the match for the 7th place.
Today, France beat the opponent easier than it was expected. The French took a flying start. After less than five minutes of play, they already had a 5:0 advantage. Early in the third period, France built a double-digit lead (12:2). By the end of the match, they increased the winning margin to 12.
Estelle-Milot (FRA) Photo:lalex k./Total Waterpolo
Spain – Israel 18:2 (3:0, 4:1, 7:1, 4:0)
Spain:Ortiz 5, Espar 4, Forca 4, Crepsi 2, Gonzalez 2, Leiton 1.
Israel: Bogachenko 2.
Extra player shot: Spain 2/3, Israel 0/4. Penalty shots: Spain 2/2.
Spain’s coach Miki Oca decided to give a rest to a few of the most experienced players. Maica Garcia Godoy and a goalkeeper Laura Ester didn’t jump into the water during today’s match. Roser Tarrago, the hero of a 16:10 win over Italy, didn’t play a lot. Even without a few superstars, the 2019 world silver medalist trashed Israel. Bea Ortiz was the leader of the team this time, with five goals. Clara Espar and Judith Forca netted four goals each.
Judith Forca (ESP) Photo:lalex k./Total Waterpolo
Evening session: Netherlands – Italy.
Ranking: 1. Spain 9 (3), 2. Netherlands 6 (2), 3.France 6 (3), 4. Italy 3 (2), 5. Israel 0 (3), Germany 0 (3)
