Already after the first day of the Men’s World Cup Division 2 in Berlin, three teams secured themselves spots in the playoffs matches.
It’s sure that Germany and China will go to the playoffs from Group B, and that Romania will finish 1st in Group A.
The 1st-placed and the 2nd-placed teams will face off on the last day, and the winners of these two duels will qualify for the Super Final in Los Angeles.
2023 Men’s World Aquatics World Cup, Division 2, Berlin, Day 1
Group A
Romania – Iran 15:4 (3:0, 6:2, 4:1, 2:1)
Romania: Prioteasa 3, Bota 3, Iudean 3, Neamtu 2, Georgescu 2, Vancsik 2.
Iran: Mehirkohneshahri 2, Malek 1, Ghavidelajiagha 1
New Zealand – Kazakhstan 9:10 (2:3, 3:2, 2:1, 2:4)
New Zealand: Ogilvie-Lee 3, Wicken 3, O’Neill 1, Schuler 1, Pye 1.
Kazakhstan: Shakenov 4, Tsoy 2, Akhmetov 2, Kanysh 1, Artyukh 1.
Romania – Kazakhstan 19:5 (6:2, 6:1, 2:2, 5:0)
Romania: Fulea 4, Neamtu 3, Vancsik 3, Prioteasa 2, Bota 2, Georgescu 2, Lutescu 1, Tepelus 1, Gergelyfi 1.
Kazakhstan: Akhmetov 3, Artykh 2.
New Zealand – Iran 14:17 (2:5, 2:4, 6:3, 4:5)
New Zealand: Wicken 4, Ogilvie-Lee 2, Paterson 2, Pye 2, O’Neill 2, Gould 1, Bryant 1.
Iran: Rostamian 5, Mehirkohneshahri 4, Yazdankhah 2, Ghavidelajiagha 1,Barzegarish 1, Malek 1, Khoshbakht 1.
Romania was too strong for the rivals in Group A and left no chance to Kazakhstan and Iran.
Both Asian teams beat New Zealand on Day 1, so the encounter between Iran and Kazakhstab will be crucial in the race for 2nd place in the group and the second playoffs ticket from Group A.
The most exciting duel of the day was a clash between Kazakhstan and New Zealand. The “Kiwis” entered the final quarter with a narrow 7:6 lead, but the Asians opened the fourth quarter with three goals to gain a 9:7 advantage. New Zealand equalized at 9:9. Kazakhstan took all three points thanks to Eduard Tsoy, who scored a winner 02:30 minutes before the end.
Iran defeated New Zealand in a high-scoring game. Both defenses maybe got tired after the morning session, so the game produced 31 goals. Both teams had ups and downs. Iran dictated the pace in the first half and earned a 9:4 lead. Early in the third, Iran stretched the margin to six (10:4). It seemed that everything was over. New Zealand came back into the game and leveled at 13:13 (27th minute). But, Iran re-found its rhythm, scored three goals in two minutes and jumped to a safe 16:13 lead.
1.Romania 2 – 6
2. Iran 2 – 3
3. Kazakhstan 2 – 3
4. New Zealand 2 – 0
Group B
China – South Africa 16:6 (4:2, 5:0, 4:0, 3:4)
China: C.Zhang 5, Y.Liu 4, Z.Hu 2, J.Peng 1, J.Zhang 1, Y.Chen 1.
South Africa: Swanepoel 2, Stone 2, Van Zyl 1, Tucker 1.
Germany – Malta 15:5 (5:2, 3:2, 2:1, 5:0)
Germany: Bozic 4, Schuetze 3, Korbel 3, Cuk 2, Strelezkij 1, Dyck 1, Schipper 1.
Malta: N.Zammit 3, Gialanze 1, Galea 1.
China – Malta 18:6 (5:2, 5:0, 4:3, 4:1)
China: C.Zhang 5, Z.Hu 2, C.Chu 2, Z. Chen 2, Liu 2, J.Peng 2, J.Zhang 1.
Malta: Plumpton 2, D.Zammit 2, Castillo 1, N.Zammit 1.
Germany – South Africa 25:7 (7:1, 5:3, 5:2, 8:1)
Germany: Chiru 6, Bozic 3, Strelezkij 3, Gansen 3, Sekulic 2, Schipper 2,Korbel 2, Schuetze 2, Jungling 2.
South Africa: Bungane 2, Swanepoel 2, Faber 1, Tucker 1, Van Zyl 1.
Germany and China demolished their rivals on the opening day. They will face off in a derby tomorrow. The encounter between the Germans and the Chinese will decide who will finish 1st in the group and will have an easier task in the playoffs.
Germany is a favorite in the duel with the Chinese. Germany still hasn’t suffered a loss with a new head coach Milos Sekulic. Still, the first two rounds are proof that the 2nd-best Asian team, coached by experienced Montenegrin Petar Porobic (Germany’s head coach until recently), has made progress. The hosts can’t count on an easy win. Considering the results of Day 1, China has a realistic chance of reaching 1st place.
More articles about the World Cup and the former World League
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