Spain downs USA in derby; Italy scores 40 goals

August 30, 2021

Spain's Biel Lara (2) and Ponferrada (4) stop USA's Avakian Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

The big match of Day 3 at the FINA Men’s World U20 Championships in Prague, was an encounter between Spain and the USA. But, one team dominated in this game. Spain recorded a convincing 20:10 victory and made a big step towards 1st place in Group B and the quarterfinals.

Greece, Germany, and Russia kept their perfect records at the World U20 Championships in Prague.

All three teams achieved convincing wins on the third competition day, and each has a 2-0 record.

After a 12:13 loss to Croatia, Italy collected the first two points by downing Uzbekistan (40:1). The Slovaks earned their first points, too. They defeated the neighbor Czech Republic 10:5.

Day 3, results – Group A: Russia – Argentina 12:5, Uzbekistan – Italy 1:40, Group B: Slovakia – Czech Republic 10:5, Spain – USA 10:20, Group C: Germany – Brazil 14:5, Group D: South Africa – Greece 5:21

2021 World U20 Men’s Championships, Prague, Day 3

Group A

Russia – Argentina 12:5 (5:0, 3:1, 2:3, 2:1) – play by play and statistics

Russia: Vasilev 5, Iarullin 2, Makhiyanov 2, Krasnov 1, Andrianov 1, Zhabkin 1.
Argentina:Conti 2, M.Giri 1, Tilatti 1, Lema 1.

Extra player shots: Russia 1/6, Argentina 3/10. Penalty shots: Argentina 0/2.

Uzbekistan – Italy 1:40 (0:9, 0:7, 1:13, 0:11) –play by play and statistics

Uzbekistan: Krivokhijin 1.
Italy: Iocchi Gratta 8, Patchaliev 6, Ferrero 5, Tartaro 5, F.Condemi 4, Mladossich 3, Gianazza 3, Caldieri 2, A.Condemi 2, Occhione 1, Parella 1.

Extra player shots: Uzbekistan 0/1, Italy 4/4. Penalty shots: Italy 4/4.

Croatia bye

All photos by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

The Russians opened the match with a 5:0 blast, which put them on the right track. Argentina’s Lema converted a man-up in the 9th minute for 1:5 to break Russia’s series of goals, but not for long. The Europeans, led by Egor Vasilev, responded with a new 5:0 rush. They earned a 10:1 lead. The South Americans scored three goals in the last 140 seconds of the third period, and two in the fourth quarter to reduce the gap.

Egor Vasilev

Before the game between Uzbekistan and Italy, only the margin of Italy’s win was in question. It was clear that Uzbekistan couldn’t surprise Italy. In the end, the Italians broke the tournament’s scoring record, set by Russia on Day 1 (the Russians beat Uzbekistan 38:1). Almost all of the shots by the Italian players finished in Uzbekistan’s net. The Italians had almost a perfect percentage of shots (40/45). Matteo Iocchi Gratta gave the biggest contribution to the 40:1 victory with eight goals.

Italy’s captain Ferrero (blue cap) scored five goals

1 Russia 2 – 4
2 Croatia 2 – 4
3 Italy 2 – 2
4 Argentina 3 – 2
5 Uzbekistan 3 – 0

Group B

USA – Spain 10:20 (3:6, 2:3, 4:7, 1:4) – play by play and statistics

USA: Tierney 3, Kranz 3, Avakian 1, Cain 1, McFarland 1, Zamanian 1.
Spain: Biel 4, Asensio 3, Casabella 3, Ramon 3, Valera 2, Ponferrada 1,Torras 1, Valls 2, Gomez 1.

Extra player shots: USA 3/12, Spain 6/10. Penalty shots: USA 1/2, Spain 1/1.

Slovakia – Czech Republic 10:5 (2:2, 3:1, 4:1, 1:1) – play by play and statistics

Slovakia: Varga 2, Adamec 2, Juhasz 2, Mihal 2, Tisaj 1, Baco 1.
Czech Republic:Chodl 1, Kriz 1, F.Kouba 1, Rames 1, Schonwalder 1.

Extra player shots: Slovakia 3/4, Czech Republic 1/4. Penalty shots: Czech Republic 1/1.

Serbia bye

The duel between Spain and the USA was an even contest until 3:3. The Spaniards went in front three times, while the USA equalized as many times. Spain netted three straight goals in the last three and a half minutes of this period (Casabella two goals, and Valera) to go 6:3 up.USA’s Cain converted a penalty shot for 4:6. Still, the Spaniards killed the Americans’ hopes quickly after. They produced a new 3:0 series and earned a 9:4 advantage in the 14th minute, and there was no way back for the Americans. Spain dictated the pace, didn’t slow down, and increased the margin of their win to 10. Unai Biel Lara, who netted four goals, was voted the MVP of the match

Team USA is currently in 1st place in this group, but it probably won’t keep the top spot until the end of the preliminary stage.

Tomorrow, the USA and Serbia will face off in Round 4. If there are no surprises in other games in the group, after the clash of the Serbs and the Americans the rankings 1st-3rd will be determined.

Yesterday, Serbia and Spain shared the points (6:6). Therefore, Serbia needs an 11-goal win over the USA (a more convincing win than Spain achieved against the same opponent), or a 10-goal victory but with more than 20 goals scored to climb to 1st place. If Serbia beats the USA 20:10, then the results against the 4th-placed team (probably Slovakia) will be considered. If Team USA defeats Serbia or the match ends with no winner, Spain will be atop.

The middle two quarters proved decisive for the outcome of the encounter between neighbors, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
After less than two minutes of play, Slovakia had a 2:0 lead. Then, the hosts started chasing the rival. The Czech Republic equalized at 2:2 in the 6th minute. After that, the Slovaks had a few good chances to take the lead, but the home team’s goalkeeper Krupar was up to the task. By the middle break, the Slovaks rebuild a 2-goal lead (5:3). The hosts cut the deficit in the 18th minute (4:5), but Slovakia responded with four unanswered goals for 9:4, and the Czech Republic couldn’t come back once more.

Berlanski (SVK) and Chodl (CZE)

1 USA 3 – 4
2 Serbia 2 – 3
3 Spain 2 – 3
4 Slovakia 2 – 2
5 Czech Republic 2 – 0

Group C

Germany – Brazil 14:5 (1:1, 3:0, 5:2, 5:2) – play by play and statistics

Germany: Bozic 5, Seifert 2, Schipper 2, Gansen 2, Rotermund 1, Chiru 1, Sekulic 1.
Brazil: Puls 1, Perreira 1, Chiappini 1, Lacerda 1, Melges 1.

Extra player shots: Germany 5/11, Brazil 3/11. Penalty shots: Germany 3/3, Brazil 1/1.

Hungary and Egypt bye

Brazil kept up with Germany for almost two quarters, but the Germans collected two points and mathematically qualified for the knockout round. After a balanced first quarter, Germany took a 2:1 lead early in the second period. Still, Brazil didn’t let the Europeans build a big difference to the very end of this period. But, with two goals in the last 63 seconds of the first half, Germany earned a 4:1 lead. They added one goal shortly after the middle break (5:1) and controlled the match until the end.

Germany’s goalie Felix Benke did a good job

1 Germany 2 – 4
2 Hungary 1 – 2
3 Egypt 1 – 0
4 Brazil 2 – 0

Group D

South Africa – Greece 5:21 (3:6, 0:3, 2:5, 0:7) – play by play and statistics

South Africa: Neser 2, Tucker 1, Sneddon 1, MacDonald 1.
Greece: Kalogeropoulos 6, Kechalaris 4, Gkillas 3, Pouros 2, Korderas 2, Mokkas 1, Myrilos 1, Iliopoulos 1,Kougiounis 1.

Extra player shots: South Africa 1/1, Greece 6/8. Penalty shots: Greece 3/4.

Montenegro and Kazakhstan bye

Greece started slowly, but it recorded a convincing win and has a chance to become the first team to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. The titleholders will face Montenegro in the first match of tomorrow’s schedule. If Greece wins, it will secure 1st place in Group B.

South Africa opened the match surprisingly well and led in the opening minutes (1:0, 2:1, 3:2).

South Africans’ joy was short-lived

After the Africans’ third goal, the Greeks kept their rival scoreless for almost 16 minutes, while they scored nine goals in a row. They went to 11:3 and secured the win. They significantly improved the goal difference by the end of the game, which might be crucial if the encounter between Montenegro and Greece ends in a tie and South Africa finishes in 3rd place. Montenegro defeated the Africans by nine goals (16:5).