The women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament in Trieste was finished today.
In the final, Hungary defeated the Netherlands 13:11 and won the gold medal. Greece finished 3rd.
Today’s games were important only for a reputation because Saturday was the day of real action. The semifinals were decisive matches in the battle for the Olympic berths. Yesterday, the Netherlands and Hungary beat their respective rivals in the semifinals (Greece and Italy) and qualified for the Olympics.
Hungary had a stronger desire to win in today’s final. The Dutch were the only unbeaten team before the final match. All in all, none of the participants finished the tournament without at least one loss. Hungary was defeated by Greece in the group stage.
Day 8, results – Final: Hungary – Netherlands 13:11, for 3rd place: Greece – Italy 10:4, for 5th place: France – Kazakhstan 12:10, for 7th place: Israel – Slovakia 13:10.
Women’s Olympic Games Qualification Tournament, Trieste, Day 6
Final
Netherlands – Hungary 11:13 (3:4, 2:2, 3:5, 3:2)
Netherlands:Van de Kraats 5, Keuning 3, Megens 1, Van der Sloot 1, Sleeking 1.
Hungary: Garda 3, Keszthelyi 2, Leimeter 2, Rybanska 2, Illes 1, Gurisatti 1, Szucs 1, Parkes 1.
The teams were in a neck and neck race in the first two quarters of the final. Hungary was taking the lead four times, but the Dutch equalized on each occasion. In the middle of the second period, the score was 4:4. The Hungarians scored two quick goals for 6:4, but Brigitte Sleeking closed the first half with a powerplay goal for 5:6.
Simone van de Kraats netted an action goal in the 17th minute and the teams were tied for the last time -6:6. Krisztina Garda responded immediately for 7:6, while the Hungarians added three more goals in the following few minutes, to earn a 10:6 lead. From that point on, the difference between the teams was never smaller than two goals, and Hungary celebrated a well-deserved 13:11 victory.
Bronze-medal match
Greece – Italy 10:4 (4:1, 0:1, 4:1, 2:1)
Greece:Tsoukala 4, Eleftheriadou 2, E. Plevritou 2, Xenaki 1, Ninou 1.
Italy:Garibotti 2, Chiappini 2.
Greece and Italy were stopped on the last step in their road to Tokyo. It was hard to find motivation after the defeats in the semifinals. Still, Greece recovered from a painful defeat better than the hosts. The Greeks opened the match with a 4:0 series, while Italy got on the scoreboard in the 8th minute. Italy scored the only goal in the second period for 2:4. But, the Greeks dominated the third quarter, earned an 8:3 lead before the final period, and everything was decided.
Match for 5th place
Kazakhstan – France 10:12 (1:3, 3:3, 4:3, 2:3)
Kazakhstan: Roga 3, Akilbayeva 2,Turova 1, Yeremina 1, Novikova 1, Khritankova 1, Murataliyeva 1.
France:Millot 3, Guillet 3, Mahieu 3, Vernoux 3.
France led throughout the match for 5th place. The teams were tied only in the 2nd minute (1:1), and after that, the French dictated the pace. They had a four-goal lead (6:2, 8:4). Kazakhstan reduced the gap in the finish of the third quarter (8:9). Still, the Asians didn’t equalize, France controlled the match in the fourth period and deserved the win.
Match for 7th place
Slovakia – Israel 10:13 (1:2, 4:1, 3:5, 2:5)
Slovakia: Halocka 4, Peckova 2, Stankovianska 2, Katlovska 1, Kissova 1.
Israel: Bogachenko 3, Farkash 3, Futorian 2, Hochberg 2, Noy 1, Menakerman 1, Tal 1.
Israel defeated Slovakia thanks to a better finish. Slovakia led 6:3 in the middle of the third period, but Israel comeback. Early in the fourth period, the score was 9:9. After that, Israel scored three goals in a row, earned a 12:9 lead and secured the victory.
Knockout matches
Quarterfinals (January 22)
Quarterfinals: Netherlands – Kazakhstan 19:6, France – Hungary 7:20, Italy – Israel 15:6, Slovakia – Greece 3:22.
Semifinals (January 23)
Semifinals 5th – 8th places: Kazakhstan – Slovakia 11:10, France – Israel 11:4
Semifinals 1th – 4th places: Netherlands – Greece 7:4, Hungary – Italy 13:10
Matches for the final ranking (January 24)
For 7th place: Slovakia – Israel 10:13; for 5th place: Kazakhstan – France 10:12, for 3rd place: Greece – Italy 10:4, FINAL: Netherlands – Hungary 11:13
Standings
1 Hungary – qualified for the Olympic Games
2 Netherlands – qualified for the Olympic Games
3 Greece
4 Italy
5 France
6 Kazakhstan
7 Israel
8 Slovakia
