Serbia and Montenegro will play in the 5th-place match at the World League Super Final in Strasbourg.
Montenegro defeated Australia 9:6 in the first semifinal for the classification 5th-8th place.
Serbia taught a lesson to Canada.
2022 World League Super Final (July 22 – 27), Day 5
Semifinals 5th – 8th place
Montenegro – Australia 9:6 (2:2, 3:2, 1:1, 3:1)
Montenegro: Andric, mrsic, Radovic, Averka 4, Murisic, Popadic 1, Vidovic 1, Gardasevic, Vujovic, Spaic, Matkovic 3, Banicevic, Tesanovic. Head coach Gojkovic.
Australia: Porter, Marsden 1, Ford, Negus 1, Power, McJannett, Pavillard 1, Holden, Byrner 1, Putt 1, Poot, Edwards 1, Hedges. Head coach: Hamill.
The Montenegrins took revenge for an 8:9 defeat to Australia in Group A. The “Sharks” went in front just once (2:1). After that, the Montenegrins, led by Kanstantin Averka, dictated the pace, but they couldn’t build a big advantage. Australia leveled at 3:3 and 4:4. In the 21st minute, Dusan Matkovic gave Montenegro a 2-goal lead for the first time (6:4).
Kanstantin Averka (MNE) Photo by Philippe Fretault/ WP inside
Still, the Australians managed to catch up with the Europeans once more – at 6:6 in the 26th minute. Three days ago, in the encounter between the same rivals in the group stage, Australia kept Montenegro goalless in the last 7:30 minutes to come back from a 2-goal deficit to record a 9:8 win.
Something similar happened today, but the roles were switched. Australia couldn’t find the net in the last 06:17 minutes. In the middle of the fourth period, Averka netted his fourth goal to put Montenegro in front – 7:6. Dusan Matkovic added two goals in the last two minutes and the Montenegrins recorded a 9:6 victory.
Serbia – Canada 12:4 (2:0,3:1, 5:2, 2:1)
Serbia: Risticevic, Brankovic 1, Subotic 1, Pljevancic, Milojevic, Gavrilovic, Vucinic 2, Lukic, Martinovic 3, Radulovic 2, Stojanovic 3, Velkic, Dobozanov. Head coach: Savic.
Canada: Radenovic, Patterson,Djerkovic, Cote 3, Halajian, Blanchard, Almasi, Gonzalez, Gardijan, Soleimanipak, O’Donnell, D’Souza, McKnight. Head coach: Oaten.
The final score says all. Serbia was too strong for Canada. It cruised The Canadians, who caused some headaches to the favorites in the past few days, were knocked down by the Serbs today.
Photo by Philippe Fretault/ WP inside
Serbia’s attack wasn’t on a high level in the opening minutes, but the defense did its job well. The favorites built a 5:0 lead before Canada scored its first goal in the match. Just 0,7 seconds before the middle break, Jeremie Cote put Canada on the scoreboard (1:5). But, Serbia continued dominating in the third quarter. It doubled an advantage – 10:2 and maintained the difference until the end.
Tomorrow, the Serbs will have a chance to take revenge for a big 8:16 loss to Montenegro on Day 1.
Day 6, July 26
Semifinals 5th – 8th place
Montenegro Australia 9:6
Serbia – Canada 12:4
Semifinals 1st – 4th place
Italy – Spain (18:00)
France – USA (20:00)
All times are CET.
