China clinched the gold medal at the women’s tournament at the University Games in Chengdu.
The home team convincingly beat Italy in the final – 12:7.
This win marks the Chinese’s return to the top spot after 12 years. Women’s water polo has been a part of the Universiade since 2009, and China won the first two editions in 2009 and 2011 but failed to win a medal until now.
Australia secured the bronze medal by defeating Japan 7:6 in the third-place match.
The games for the 5th-10th place classification were played in the men’s tournament today.
2023 World University Games, women’s water polo tournament, Day 7
FINAL
China – Italy 12:7 (5:2, 3:2, 3:2, 1:1)
China: Dong, Yan 2, Pan, Xiong, Zhai, S. Wang, Lu 3, H.Wang 1, Zhong, Nong, Chen 4, Zhang 2, Du.
Italy: Uccella, Sapienza, Repetto 1, Cordovani 1, Ranalli 2, Gagliardi 1, Nesti, Di Claudio, Nardini 1, Meggiato 1, , Altamura, Carosi, Galbani.
China, which had many players who participated in the World Championships in Fukuoka, was the favorite for the gold. The hosts proved they had prepared very well for the tournament. China beat Italy 17:8 in the group stage. Today, the difference was smaller, but the hosts controlled the game.
Italy kept up with China until the middle of the first period. Then, the Chinese scored six goals in a row and jumped from 2:2 to 8:2. After that, Italy didn’t endanger the home team’s big lead.
China took advantage of its powerplay chances, scoring eight goals with a woman-up (8/11). Italy converted three 6 on 5s (3/9)
BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
Australia – Japan 7:6 (3:1, 0:2, 2:1, 2:2)
Australia: Pamp, Glasel, Marsh, Mackay 2, Clarck, Fitzgerald, Ditterick 2, Campbell, Gillis, Coleman, Powells 1, Henshaw 2, Ridhalgh.
Japan: Inaba, Sekine, Suga, Kobayashi, Takahashi, Ninagawa, H. Yamamoto 2, Nishiyama, Sugimoto, Fujiwara 4, M.Yamamoto, Miyagishi.
The result of the bronze-medal match is quite surprising, given that Japan beat Australia by 12 goals (16:4) in the group stage four days ago.
Today’s encounter showed Australia was far from its best in the group match. The “Aussie Stingers” displayed an excellent defensive play. The Japanese were more aggressive in the attack and created many opportunities, but only six of their 33 shots were goals. Australia was patient and netted seven goals from 21 attempts.
The game was an even contest, but the “Aussies” were in front for most of the match. Early in the fourth quarter, Japan equalized for the last time – 5:5. Two minutes before the end, Australia built a two-goal lead (7:5). Japan halved the gap with 46 seconds to go, but it didn’t level the score.
FINAL STANDINGS
1. China
2. Italy
3. Australia
4. Japan
5. South Africa
6. Singapore
All champions – 2009: China, 2011: China, 2013: Russia, 2015: Australia, 2017: USA, 2019: Hungary, 2023: China.
2023 World University Games, men’s water polo tournament, Day 8
Greece took revenge for a 7:12 loss to Germany in the group stage and beat the Germans 12:10 in the fifth-place match. The Germans led 3:2 after the first period. However, the middle two quarters belonged to Greece, which entered the final eight minutes with a 8:6 lead. Three minutes before the end, Germany halved the deficit (9:10). Still, Greece scored two quick goals and secured a safe 12:9 advantage. Papasifakis and Dimou contributed to the Greeks’ victory with three goals. Lukas Kuppers scored three for Germany.
China beat Japan 9:7 in the Asian derby and finished in 7th place. Japan got off to a very good start. It had a 2:0 lead before the second quarter. However, the Japanese’s attack stopped in the second and third quarter. After 24 minutes, China was two steps ahead (5:3) and maintained the difference in an 8-goal third quarter. China’s Hengye Tan was the best scorer with five goals.
Slovakia edged out South Korea 11:10 in an interesting match for 9th place.
The water polo tournament in Chengdu will end tomorrow, with the medal matches in the men’s competition. Hungary and Italy will play in the final. Georgia and the USA will battle for the bronze medal.
CLASSIFICATION MATCHES
5th-place match
Greece – Germany 12:10 (2:3, 3:1, 3:2, 4:4)
7th-place match
China – Japan 9:7 (0:2, 4:1, 1:0, 4:4)
9th-place match
South Korea – Slovakia 10:11 (2:1, 2:3, 3:3, 3:4)
FINAL STANDINGS
5. Greece
6. Germany
7. China
8. Japan
9. Slovakia
10. South Korea
11. Singapore
More articles about the Univeristy Games
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