Dominant once again: USA secures fourth consecutive World Cup title

June 26, 2023

Team USA retain their title from 2018. Photo: Catharyn Hayne.

The United States has written off the their blip from the World League Super Finals last Autumn by winning the World Cup for a fourth consecutive time in front of a home crowd in Long Beach.

Adam Krikorian’s side, now holders of all three major titles: the Olympics, World Championships and now the World Cup, defeated the Netherlands by a narrow 12-11 scoreline overnight in California. Team USA previously won the last edition of the World Cup in 2018 in Surgut, and won the previous two competitions in 2014 (Khanty-Mansiysk,) and 2010 (Christchurch).

The United States and the Netherlands both automatically qualify for the 2024 World Championships in Doha.

Spain finished third, with a 18-15 win over Hungary; Greece and Israel secured narrow one-goal wins in their classification matches against Italy (10-9) and New Zealand (12-11) respectively.

Finals & Classification Games, World Cup Finals, Long Beach

Netherlands 11 – 12 United States (2-5, 1-2, 4-3, 4-2)
Netherlands: L. Aarts, I. Wolves, B. Sleeking 1, S. Van der Sloot 1, M. Keuning 3, S. Van de Kraats 3, M. Van der Weijden, V. Sevenich, K. Joustra 1, L. Rogger 2, L. Moolhuijzen, N. Ten Broek, S. Buis.
United States: A. Johnson, M. Musselman 2, T. Prentice, R. Fattal 1, J. Sekulic 1, M. Steffens 3, J. Roemer 1, R. Neushul, E. Ausmus 1, K. Gilchrist 2, B. Weber, J. Flynn 1, A. Longan.

Spain 18 – 15 Hungary (5-4, 6-5, 4-2, 3-4)
Spain: L. Ester, A. Ruiz 1, A. Espar 5, B. Ortiz 2, N. Perez, P. Crespi, E. Ruiz 1, P. Pena 2, J. Forca 2, P. Camus, M. Garcia 2, P. Leiton 3, M. Terre.
Hungary: A. Magyari, D. Szilagyi, V. Baksa, G. Gurisatti 1, G. Mahieu, K. Hajdu 3, P. Pocze, R. Keszthelyi 3, D. Leimeter, N. Rybanska 1, K. Farago 1, K. Garda 6, B. Neszmely.

Italy 9 – 10 Greece (3-3, 3-1, 1-3, 2-3)
Italy: A. Condorelli, C. Tabani, G. Galardi, S. Avegno 1, S. Giustini 1, D. Bettini 2, D. Picozzi, R. Bianconi, V. Palmieri 1, C. Marletta 3, V. Gant, G. Viacava 1, C. Banchelli.
Greece: C. Diamantopoulou, E. Plevritou 1, I. Chydirioti, N. Eleftheriadou, M. Plevritou, E. Xenaki 4, E. Ninou 2, E. Elliniadi, C. Siouti, V. Plevritou 2, A. Giannopoulou 1, M. Myriokefalitaki, I. Stamatopoulou.

New Zealand 11 – 12 Israel (4-4, 2-4, 3-3, 2-1)
New Zealand: J. Milicich, E. Nicholson 1, B. Doyle 2, L. Gault 2, G. Milicich 1, I. Jackson, E. Houghton 4, K. McKenty, S. Short-Robinson, G. Macdonald, K. Haworth, M. Quin 1, B. Layburn.
Israel: A. Peres, A. Yaacobi 5, Y. Farkash, M. Bogachenko, V. Kordonskaia 1, H. Futorian 2, S. Strugo 3, N. Markovsky, D. Namakshtanksy, N. Sasover, T. Levi, N. Levinshtein, M. Kats.

The United States has reclaimed their rightful place at the top of the World Cup podium, although their victory did not come without challenges. Adam Krikorian’s team found themselves in a precarious situation, surrendering a five-goal lead early in the third quarter and needing a goal in the final minute and a half of the match to secure the gold medal.

The game can be best described as a tale of two halves, reminiscent of the previous World Cup encounter in Athens. The United States established a commanding 8-3 lead at halftime, thanks in large part to Maggie Steffens’ impressive hat-trick. However, the Dutch mounted a spirited comeback, winning the subsequent 14 minutes of the game by a score of 8-3. Simone van de Kraats (3) and Maartje Keuning (2) were instrumental in the Dutch team’s goal-scoring exploits.

Despite being level at 11-11, it was Team USA who regained their composure and ultimately clinched victory. Rachel Fattal’s well-executed extra-player finish from the right proved to be the decisive goal.

Maggie Steffens scored three goals in the final against the Netherlands. Photo: Catharyn Hayne.

The Dutch team will reflect on a disappointing start and their struggles to capitalise on scoring opportunities, converting only nine non-penalty goals out of 35 shots. Credit must be given to Amanda Longan, who played a crucial role in these statistics. The former USC Trojan goalkeeper showcased her exceptional skills with an impressive tally of 15 saves.

The USA certainly deserved the win in the final, producing a quintessential American team display. Maggie Steffens led her team in terms of scoring with three goals.

Spain took the bronze medal with a chaotic 18-15 victory over Hungary. The Magyars, for the second time in three days, were involved in a 33-goal game, but were on the wrong side of the result on this occasion.

There was not much to ultimately separate the two teams in the contest. Spain took an early 3-0 lead in the match, but were pegged back by the Hungarians to 5-4 after the first quarter, with the Spain leading 11-9 at the half-time break. The eventual damage was when the Spanish netted four times in four minutes in the third quarter, which kept Attila Biro’s side at arms length from the European Champions.

The Magyars will feel bitter-sweet about how they fared against their World League Super Final finalists from last November. Attila Biro will be extremely satisfied with the fact his team converted a clinical eleven goals from thirteen powerplay chances. Spain were significantly more deadly past a poor Hungarian defence when the numbers were even, which ultimately proved to be decisive.

Ariadna Ruiz of Spain. Photo: Catharyn Hayne

Anni Espar stood out for the Spanish team, contributing five goals, while five other Spanish players also made multiple contributions to the scoreline. On the Hungarian side, Krisztina Garda impressed with six goals, supported by hat-tricks from Kata Hajdu and Rita Keszthelyi.

In the two classification games, it took a late goal from both Greece and Israel to finish their World Cup campaigns on a high.

In the 5th place game, Eleni Xenaki’s four goals, including an extra-player with 2 seconds to play in the match, helped Greece come from behind to defeat Italy 10-9. Greece clawed back from a 6-4 halftime deficit to down an ill-discipline and flat Setterosa.

Ioanna Stamatopoulou of Greece. Photo: Catharyn Hayne.

Israel finished 7th at their first World Cup Final appearance, defeating New Zealand 12-11. An influential five-goal game from Alma Yaacobi inspired her team to victory up front, while a sturdy Israeli defence thwarted the Kiwi’s. New Zealand did well to make up lost ground throughout the match to pull level in the last quarter, but a lapse in concentration allowed Veronica Kordonskaia – who had earlier missed a penalty for her side – to redeem herself and win the game.