Hungary cements first place, Slovakia makes history

January 17, 2020

The Hungarians celebrate the win Photo: Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

Host Hungary secured the 1st place in Group A of the female tournament at the 34th European Championships.

The Hungarians defeated Greece 13:10 in the most important match of Day 4 and continued its winning streak. Hungary, as the only unbeaten team in this group, cemented the 1st place, while Greece and Russia are in a hunt for the 2nd position.

Slovakia, which debuted at the European Championships, made history. The Slovaks achieved its first win at the Europeans, by beating Serbia pretty convincingly – 6:2.

The female tournament, Day 4

Group A: Hungary – Greece 13:10, Slovakia – Serbia 6:2, Russia – Croatia 34:1.
Standings: 1. Hungary 12, 2. Russia 9 (+86), 3. Greece 9 (+47) 3. 4. Slovakia 3 (-59), 5. Croatia 3 (-66), 6. Serbia 0.

Group B: Italy – Israel 17:1, Germany – Spain 4:19, Netherlands – France 18:1.
Standings: 1. Netherlands 12 (+62), 2. Spain 12 (+46), 3. Italy 6 (+13), 4. France 6 (-10), 5. Israel 0 (-55), 6. Germany 0 (-56).

34th European Championships, women, Day 4

Evening session

Group A

Hungary – Greece 13:10 (4:4, 4:2, 2:0, 3:4)

Hungary: Garda 4 , Parkes 3, Illes 2, Leimeter 2, Gurisatti 1, Valyi 1.
Greece: M. Plevritou 2,Kotsia 2, Xenaki 2, Tsoukala 1, Avramidou 1, Ninou 1, E Plevritou 1.

Extra player shot: Hungary 7/9, Greece 3/4 Penalty shot: Hungary 1/1, Greece 1/1.

Greece, the silver medalist from the 2018 European Championships, started better and was leading by a goal in the opening minutes (2:1, 3:2, 4:3, 5:4), but the Hungarians leveled the score on each occasion and went ahead in the 12th minute – 6:5. The Greeks responded immediately with an equalizer 6:6.

But, that was the end of the balanced battle. The Hungarians, who were supported by 3.000 fans, took control. They held Greece goalless for 13 minutes and 56 seconds. The hosts’ attack worked well and Hungary earned an 11:6 advantage early in the fourth quarter.

Hungary – Greece Photo: Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

Greece started coming back midway through the fourth quarter, with three consecutive goals for 9:11. Then Hungary went 12:9. Margarita Plevritou netted her 2nd goal this evening for 10:12 with 101 seconds to go. Dora Leimeter converted a man-up in the next possession for 13:10 and Hungary secured the win.
Greece managed to stop Hungary’s captain Rita Keszthelyi, who scored 14 goals in the first three rounds. Today, she didn’t get on the scoreboard. Krisztina Garda led the winning team with four goals.

Slovakia – Serbia 6:2 (1:0, 2:1, 1:0, 2:1)

Slovakia: Kovacikova 3, Kolarova 1, Stankovianska 1, K. Kissova 1.
Serbia: Ilic 2.

Extra player shot: Slovakia 1/1, Serbia 2/5. Penalty shots: Serbia 0/1

Newcomer Slovakia achieved its first win at the European Championships. The Slovaks defeated Serbia easier than it was expected and kept alive their hope of reaching the quarterfinals. On Sunday, they will face Croatia, which also has three points. If the Slovaks don’t lose in that match, they will remain in the 4th place because of a better goal difference.

Serbia was the favorite in today’s encounter, but it made a lot of mistakes and was punished. Slovakia kept Serbia scoreless until the 14th minute when the Serbs converted its first man-up (after three missed chances). But, Slovakia continued to dominate after the middle break. The debutant even had a 6:1 advantage, while Serbia reduced the gap 24 seconds from the end.

Slovakia Photo: Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

Morning/afternoon session
Russia – Croatia 34:1 (9:0, 8:1, 7:0, 10:0)

Day 5 (January 19th): Croatia – Slovakia, Greece – Russia, Hungary – Serbia.

Group B

Italy – Israel 17:1 (3:0, 5:0, 4:1, 5:0)

Italy: Emmolo 4, Garibotti 3, Aiello 3, Bianconi 3, Tabani 1, Avegno 1, Marletta 1, Carrefa 1.
Israel:Strugo 1.

Extra player shot: Italy 3/7, Israel 1/4.

Italy recovered from two painful losses (Spain 10:16 and Netherlands 4:10) and ran over Israel. The “Setterossa” will play against France on Day 5 in the match for the 3rd place in the group

Israel became the third team that scored just a single goal today, after France, which suffered a 1:18 loss to the Netherlands, and Croatia, that was defeated by Russia (1:34). Israel its only goal scored in the middle of the third quarter for 1:10.