The first day of the World Championships saw no real surprises, as the teams expected to win did so without much trouble. The USA dominated South Africa, Greece shut-down Thailand, Australia outplayed Kazakhstan, and in the last game of the day, the Hungarians took Colombia to the cleaners. Spain beat France by 10 goals (18-10).
The only real contests today featured an impressive New Zealand, who outplayed Brazil well. In Group A, Canada and Italy cancelled each other out, in an entertaining spectacle at Hajos.
Day 1 Reports
Group A
Canada 7-7 Italy (2-4, 3-2, 1-1, 1-0)
Canada: J. Gaudreault, K. McKee 1, A. Crevier, E. Wright 2, A. Amorosa, G. Sohi, V. Bakoc 1, R. Lekness, H. McKelvey 2, K. Christmas, K. Paul, S. La Roche 1, C. Vulpisi
Italy: L. Teani, C. Tabani 1, C. Marletta 1, S. Avegno, E. Queirolo 1, S. Giustini 2, D.Picozzi, R.Bianconi 1, G. Emmolo, V. Palmieri, G. Galardi, G. Viacava 1, C. Banchelli
In the most exciting contest of the day in Group A, Canada held Italy to a 7-7 draw at Alfred Hajos.
The Italians, at one point, led by two, and will feel they probably should have won the game. Both will satisfied a draw at this stage, but Hungary will be the happiest with the result. They face Italy next, while the Canadians will more than likely beat Colombia.
Hungary 35-4 Colombia (8-2, 12-0, 7-0, 8-2)
Hungary: E. Gangl, D. Szilagyi 4, V. Valyi 1, G. Gurisatti 3, Z. Mate 3, R. Parkes 2, G. Mahieu 2, R. Keszthelyi-Nagy 5, D. Leimeter 5, N. Rybanska 6, K. Farago 2, K. Garda 2, A. Magyari
Colombia: S. Agudelo, A. Rivera, V. Restrepo, C. Ortega Fuentes 1, A. Caicedo, K. Atehortua, D. Marin 1, C. Lastre, M. Serna, S. Vanegas 2, S. Atehortua, A. Correa, I. Chamorro
The hosts will be more than happy with their start to these championships after an absolute demolition against Colombia. Credit has to be given to the hosts, and their commitment to scoring, although in truth, they didn’t really have to try that hard.
Natasa Rybanska scored a quite remarkable six, while Rita Keszthelyi and Dora Leimeter both hit five. All the players on the team scored, as a certain weight will be off their shoulders.
The party spirit in Budapest will no doubt be cut short, as Attila Biro has to ensure his sde reset for a really tough game against Italy on Wednesday.
Group B
South Africa 2-24 United States ( 0-7, 0-10, 1-3, 1-4)
South Africa: ., Maartens, N. Macloed, H. Muller, C. Meecham 1, E. Zondo 1, P. Tancrel, I. Akomolafe, D. Passoni, R. Versveld, S. January, T. Macdonell, A. Thornton-Dibb, A. Vaughn
Unites States: A. Johnson, M. Musselman 3, T. Prentice 2, R. Fattal 2, A. Johnson 2 M. Steffens 4, S. Haralabidis 5, R. Neushul 3, D. Mammolito 1, K. Gilchrist 1, B. Weber 1, J. Raney, A. Longan
The reigning champions thumped South Africa in the opening game of the tournament. In a contest that wasn’t really that, Steph Haralabidis scored five, Maggie Steffens netted four, and there were goals for all the outfield players but Jordan Raney.
The only cheering point for the South African’s was Chloe Meecham’s long distance lob, but also a great save by Daniela Passoni at close range from Maggie Steffens.
The South Africans barely troubled the American keepers – with Adam Krikorian resting Ashleigh Johnson for half the game. While South Africa were always going to be second best, the result is a daunting one for the other teams
Netherlands 29-6 Argentina (8-1, 8-1, 6-2, 7-2)
Netherlands: L. Aarts, I. Wolves 4, B. Sleeking, S. Van der Sloot2, L. Moolhuijzen 4, S. Van de Kraats 5, R. Voorvelt 1, K. Joustra 2, I. Koolhaas 1, M. Schaap 2, N. Ten Broek 3, S. Buis
Argentina: N. Stegmayer, L. Castellani 3, C. Leonard 1, A. Hatcher 1, L. Ianni, L. Romano, J. Auliel, C. Comba, I. Riley, A. Agnesina, A. Bacigalupo, D. Gerschovsky 1, L. Canales
The Netherlands taught Argentina a cruel lesson in attack as they demolished the Blue and Whites by a twenty-three goal margin. One of Europe’s hottest shooters, Simone Van de Kraats, netted five times, while its not hard to see why Glyfada want to sign CE Mediterrani’s Iris Wolves, who alongside the young Lola Moolhuijzen, converted a quad.
Argentina managed to find the target six times, with a personal hat-trick for Lucia Ruiz Castellani. But its a tough loss to take for Las Tiburoncitas, who will hope to bounce back on Wednesday against South Africa.
Group C
New Zealand 12-8 Brazil (3-3, 5-2, 3-3, 1-0)
New Zealand: J. Milicich, E. Nicholson 3, B. Doyle, E. Gault 1, G. Milicich, M. McDowall 4, E. Houghton 3, K. McKenty, S. Shorter-Robinson, G. Macdonald, M. Josephson, M. Quin 1, B. Layburn
Brazil: T. Pregolini, A. Pincirolli, M. Cosmo, K. Leao 3, J. Cavalganti, M. Marran 1, S. Ferreira 2, L. Quin, L. Belorio 1, R. Morerira, M. Coutinho 1, A. Amaral, I. Souza
One of the few games today that was close featured an impressive looking New Zealand side, who downed Brazil by four goals.
The game was close, and Brazil led for a time in the first quarter. However, New Zealand fought back. The big strong point was via Emily Nicholson at centre, scoring goals and winning majors.
The third quarter became very stretched, making for an exciting game. The undoing for the Brazilians came with a minute and a half left in the third, when they conceded two penalties. While Tathiana Pregolini made a great save for the first one, she couldn’t keep out the second.
On the end of the quarter buzzer, we saw a lovely lob from Samantha Ferreira to pull the Brazilians back to 11-8. However, into the last, an expertly called timeout from Angie Winstanley-Smith led Morgan McDowall to score on the extra player move, sealing the 12-8 win.
Bridget Layburn had a particularly good game in goal for the Kiwi’s, making some big saves when it mattered, while Morgan McDowall impressed, scoring 4.
Kazakhstan 6-19 Australia (1-6, 1-9, 3-3, 1-1)
Kazakhstan: A. Zharkimbayeva, D. Pochinok, V. Anossova, A. Turova 2, A. Yeremina 3, D. Roga, A. Novikova, D. Muravyeva 1, N. Shapovalova, V. Khristankova, A. Mirshina, A. Murataliyeva, M. Martynenko
Australia: G. Palm, P. Casey 1, T. Fasala 1, B. Halligan 3, B. Leeson-Smith, A. Andrews, C. Andrews 1, A. Ridge, Z. Arancini 5, L. Mihailovic 2, T. Kearns 3, H. Ballesty, G. Longman
The Aussie Stingers have got their World Championship campaign underway with a convincing win over Kazakhstan. The game was over at half-time with the Australian skipper, Zoe Arancini, bagging five goals in the game.
Kazakhstan found a foothold in the game, but a really poor start gave them no chance. There were hat-tricks for Abby Andrews, Bronte Halligan and Tilly Kearns.
Group D
Greece 28-1 Thailand (7-0, 9-0, 5-0, 7-1)
Greece: I. Stamatopoulou, E. Plevritou 3, I. Chydirioti 1, E. Elliniadi 1, M. Plevritou 1, E. Xenaki 5, I. Ninou 2, M. Patra 1, C. Siouti 1, V. Plevritou 4, A. Giannopoulou 3, M. Myriokefalitaki 4, E. Sotireli
Thailand: N. Mouksung, T. Kwangtongtanaree, P. Rotchanarut, W. Nilklad, K. Puenponsakul, K. Puangtong, B. Khunprathum, R. Rueansappaisan, I. Turon, Y. Turon, P. Rodwattandisakul, P. Aarsayuth
The game between Greece and Thailand was not an interesting one, unless one-sided routs are your thing. Two young players from Olympiacos, Maria Myriokefalitaki and Vasiliki Plevritou both netted four times.
At one point in the game, the score was 18-0 to the Greeks, highlighting the sheer gulf in class between the two nations. Thailand will want to forget their first World Championship game, but face potentially more woe on Wednesday in their next game.
France 8-18 Spain (1-4, 3-3, 2-5, 2-6)
France: C. Vidal, E. Millot, G. Fitaire 1, C. Bouloukbachi, 2 L. Guillet, K. Benlekbir, J. Dhalluin, A. Battu 1, E. Vernoux 4, V. Bahia, C. Radosavjevic, A. Daule, A. Collas
Spain: L. Ester, C. Nogue 1, A. Espar 2, B. Ortiz 4, N. Perez 2, E. Ruiz, I. Gonzalez, P. Pena 1, J. Forca 5, P. Camus, M. Garcia Godoy 2, P. Leiton, M. Terre
Miki Oca’s side got off to a decent start in Szeged as they saw off France. The in-form left hander this season in the Spanish Division de Honor, Judith Forca Ariza, bagged five goals, while Bea Ortiz, who is rumoured to be re-joining Sabadell, scored four.
France’s young superstar, Ema Vernoux, once again shone for her side, scoring on four occasions.
Spain face a tough assignment against Greece next, while France will be sure to bounce back against Thailand.
Day 2 Fixtures (22nd June)
Argentina vs South Africa
Australia vs New Zealand
Spain vs Greece
United States vs Netherlands
Brazil vs Kazakhstan
Thailand vs France
Colombia vs Canada
Italy vs Hungary
Road to the Finals
Crossover round (June 26):
Match 1: 2A – 3B
Match 2: 3A – 2B
Match 3: 2C – 3D
Match 4: 3C – 2D
Quarterfinals (June 28):
QF1: 1A – winner Match 3
QF2: 1B – winner match 4
QF3: 1C – winner match 1
QF4: 1D – winner match 2
Semi-finals: (June 30):
SF1: winners QF1 – QF2
SF2: winners QF3 – QF4
Finals (July 2)
Final: winner SF1 vs winner SF2
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