Matchday four of the Spanish Women’s league had plenty of excitement as the league table is starting to shape up nicely.
It took a goal fourteen seconds of time to ensure Mataro beat Terrassa, while Sabadell, Mediterrani, Rubi and Sant Andreu all secured three points. An inspired comeback from Zaragoza ensured that Barceloneta still await their first win in the top flight of Spanish Water Polo.
Results
C.N. Catalunya 12-20 Astralpool Sabadell (4-5, 3-5, 1-6, 4-4)
Catalunya: C. Ball, A. Ruiz Fernandez 1, R. Schuijt, M. Van Rijn 1, B. Pascual 5, M. Sagrera, N. Begona 1, L. Escoda Mondragon 3, O. Tarrino, S. Diaz 1, L. Sanchez, M. Terre
Sabadell: L. Ester, M. Ortiz 1, B. Games, S. Van der Sloot 4, M. Serrano 1, M. Bonet, I. Casado, M. Garcia Godoy 2, J. Forca Ariza 8, M. Keuning, N. Perez, I. Gonzalez 4, M. Carrasco
Sabadell won their fourth game of the season in a high-scoring affair away at Catalunya. It was once again Judith Forca Ariza for the away side who grabbed seven goals, while Sabrina Van der Sloot (4) and Maica Garcia Godoy were also amongst the goals. Berta Pascual netted five times for the home side.
David Palma will be happy that his side continue their excellent league form, despite defeat in midweek by a single goal to Mataro in the Catalan Cup. On the other hand, with the quality Sabadell have, it was always going to be tough match for Catalunya at Can Toda, but they now have played two of the top ranking teams from last year, and have an easier fixture schedule in the coming weeks.
C.N. Terrassa 6-7 C.N. Mataro (1-0, 3-4, 1-0, 1-3)
Terrassa: S. Domene, B. Pastor 1, J. Panicello 1, B. Ortiz, C. Cantero 1, M. Cardona, N. Ten Broek 1, P. Pena, N. Cuenda Morillo 1, P. Camus, O. Domenech, P. Leiton Arrones 1, E. Arcas
Mataro: E. Sanchez, S. Morell 1, S. Van der Kraats 3, A. Gual 1, V. Sevenich 1, A. Timofeeva, C. Cambray, C. Nogue, M. Bach, Q.Bertran, A. Espar, B. Markoch 1, B. Colominas
Mataro just about came out with the three points today against Terrassa thanks to a goal 14 seconds from time from Anna Gual. Going into the last, the host’s led fantastically by 5 goals to 4. Van der Kraats drew her side level, before her compatriot, Vivian Sevenich took Mataro to a 6-5 lead. Xavi Pelonio must have thought his side had earnt a point when Christina Cantero nicked a leveller for Terrassa with ninety seconds to go, but Anna Gual had the last laugh, securing three vital points in the title race for Mataro.
Although the result is heart-breaking for Terrassa, they have shown they can compete with the very best in the league on their day. They will have to work equally as hard in a week or so time, as they face Sabadell.
C.N. Sant Feliu 7-17 C.E. Mediterrani (1-4, 2-6, 2-5, 2-2)
Sant Feliu: I. Costa, J. Soler, M. Bargallo 3, D. Moreno 3, B. Goset, L. Roca, R. Maldonado, C. Moreno 1, P. Abellan, U. Del Sol Agusti, L. Hidalgo, M. Gomez, I. Turegano
Mediterrani: M. Rizo, A. Munoz 2, J. Cereijo 3, I. Wolves 1, C. Vilanova 1, C. Rodri, M. Viladot 3, A. Marcos 1, A. Grossman 1, C. Garica 1, P. Crespi 3, S. Puanani 1, Lizotte 1, D. Willemsz
Mediterrani are third thanks to a fairly comprehensive victory over Sant Feliu. Mediterrani played well as a team, and that was reflected in the scoreline, and the variety of goal scorers. There were hat-tricks for Julia Cereijo, Mariona Viladot and Paula Crespi.
Both teams will feel they have very winnable games next – Sant Feliu will hope to get back on track with a victory over Rubi whilst Mediterrani will want to ensure Sabadell and Mataro do not pull away as they face the unpredictable Barceloneta.
C.N. Atletic-Barceloneta 7-7 Zaragoza (3-1, 4-3, 0-1, 0-2)
Barceloneta: A. Farre, A. Garcia, N. Martin 3, C. Buscarons 2, N. Josifovic, M. Altisen, A. Pastor, N. Mandic 1, B. Seto, J. Altisen, S. Garcia 1, M. Madre, P. Rutgers
Zaragoza: I. Moreno, A. Escolano, M. Herrera 1, I. Bertan 1, S. Beltran, N. Coloma, N. Manero 1, A. Chicote Baro, R. Corao 1, S. Perez 1, L. Gomez, J. Tazueco 2, S. Ballesta
Barceloneta finally stopped their losing streak, albeit only a shared point with Zaragoza, as Marc Iglesias’s side can now slightly relax after a tough start to the season. Barca were in a commanding position, leading 7-3 into half-time, however, four unanswered goals (Sara Perez, Natalia Manero and Julia Tazueco 2) from Zaragoza earnt them a point. While it wasn’t the result either side would have ideally wanted, both would admit that the shared points are still valuable in their quest’s to remain in the division.
A.R Concepcion 10-17 C.N. Rubi (3-4, 2-3, 2-4, 3-6)
Concepcion: L. Cruz, A. Moreno 1, I. San Pedro 1, R. Clemente 1, P. Sanchez, C. Rivera, E. Garcia 5, P. Suarez 1, C. Puente, C. Rodriguez Pinto, R. Rodriguez Pinto 1, M. Peragon, L. Garcia
Rubi: E. Jimenez, A. Roldan 1, D. Gerschovoksy 2, L. Rion Bonilla 2, M. Manchego 1, C. Abellan, E. Ruiz Barril 2, A. Rodriguez 1, E. Vesperinas 1, J. Prados 1, L. Soriano, A. Trivino 6
Rubi got their campaign off the ground with their first win of the season over one of the teams from Madrid, Concepcion. Amanda Trivano was the decisive factor in the game for Rubi, netting six times, while there were braces for Gerchovsky, Bonilla and Ruiz Barril.
Concepcion’s Elena Garcia Alvarez netted five times for her side, but her induvidual performance was one of only a few positives from today for her team. There is no doubt that a relegation battle is well and truly underway for Concepcion and Eduardo Perez’s side, as they have looked second best in all their games this season.
It cannot be predicted what Rubi’s fate will be this season, other than they will probably stay in the division. Rubi’s next three games are all at home against Sant Feliu, Mediterrani and Mataro, while Concepcion will target their fixture against Boadilla in two weeks time as a must win if they are to have a chance of remaining in the division.
C.N. Sant Andreu 16-3 Natacion Boadilla (3-0, 4-1, 3-0, 6-2)
Sant Andreu: A. Merino, H. Louise Ballesty 1, N. Mora 3, G. Bellido, G. Colominas, H. Ruckelshaus Shabb 2, M. Cordobes 2, D. Mammolito 2, R. Prieto 1, M. Ungria Seco 2, M. Palacio 2, A. Ruiz Barril 1, M. Terre
Boadilla: M. Gutierrez, E. Castellanos, E. Portillo, E. Ruano, L. Campos, S. Suenas, A. Gonzalez, M. De Quinta 2, C. Camaron, E. Alcon, M. Fernandez, G. Gallinato 1, P. Moreno Quinones
In the last game of the day, Sant Andreu barely had to break a sweat in defeating Boadilla. The goals were shared across nine players, with a hat-trick from Noelia Mora Perez, complimented by braces for Hannah Ruckelshaus Shabb, Marina Cordobes, Denise Mammolito, Marta Ungria and Maria Palacio.
Sant Andreu now sit happily in fifth, and they will hope to be there or there abouts come the end of the season. Short-term, they will hope they can secure at least 6 points in their next three games – they face: Sabadell, Zaragoza and Barceloneta.
Standings
- Sabadell – 4 – 12pts
- Mataro – 4 – 12pts
- Mediterrani – 4 – 9pts
- Terrassa – 2 – 3pts
- Sant Andreu – 2 – 3pts
- Sant Feliu – 2 – 3pts
- Rubi – 2 – 3pts
- Catalunya – 3 – 3pts
- Boadilla – 4 – 1pts
- Zaragoza – 3 – 1pts
- Concepcion – 3 – 0pts
For all the latest on Spanish women’s water polo click here,
