Russia recovered from a loss to Canada on Day 1 and beat Hungary 14:13 in the big match of Day 2 of the FINA Women’s World League Super Final in Athens.
As expected, Team USA, Canada, and Spain recorded convincing wins.
Day 2, results – Group A: Russia – Hungary 14:13, Canada – Japan 16:10. Group B: USA – Kazakhstan 20:2, Greece – Spain 8:14.
2021 Women’s World League Super Final, Athens, Day 2
Group A
Russia – Hungary 14:13 (2:2, 4:6, 5:3, 3:2)
Russia: Ivanova 3, Karimova 3, Glyzina 2, Bersneva 2, Churzina 1, Simanovich 1, Timofeeva 1, Soboleva 1.
Hungary: Keszthelyi 4, Leimeter 4,Szilagyi 2, Gurissati 1, Parkes 1, Gyongyossy 1.
Extra player shots: Russia 2/8, Hungary 4/8. Penalty shots: Hungary 2/2.
Canada – Japan 16:10 (4:3, 5:1, 3:3, 4:3)
Canada: Eggens 3, Wright 2, Lemay-Lavoie 2, McKelvey 2, Christmas 2, McKee 1, Crevier 1, Sohi 1, Paul 1, La Roche 1.
Japan: Arima 5, Kawaguchi 4, Hashida 1.
Extra player shots: Canada 8/10, Japan 5/7. Penalty shots: Japan 1/1.
The big game of the day – the encounter between Russia and Hungary offered a great battle with many twists and turns. In the first half, Hungary dictated the pace. Russia took the lead in the 11th minute (5:4)for the first time, but the Hungarians built an 8:6 advantage by the middle break.
In the 1st minute of the third quarter, Dorottya Szilagyi converted a power-play advantage to give Hungary a three-goal lead (9:6). But, Russia was able to come back. The Russians scored four straight goals in four minutes and turned around the 3-goal deficit to a 10:9 lead. Still, the sides were tied at 11:11 before the final eight minutes.
Maria Bersneva and Anna Timofeevea opened the fourth quarter with goals, and Russia grabbed a 13:11 lead. Two and a half minutes before the end, Greta Gurisatti halved the distance (12:13). But, Glyzina responded immediately and converted a woman-up for 14:12. Rita Keszthelyi scored the 13th goal for the Hungarian team, but it came too late – 30 seconds before the end.
A win over Russia on Day 1 encouraged Canada, which played very well against Japan today. Japan took an early lead (1:0 and 2:1). But, the North Americans consolidated their defense shortly after. The Canadians displayed good defensive play. They made a small number of mistakes in offense and managed to earn a five-goal lead before the third period (9:4). The persistent Japanese didn’t give in, but they couldn’t endanger Canada’s victory.
1 Canada 2 – 6
2 Russia 2 – 3
3 Hungary 2 – 3
4 Japan 2 – 0
Group B
Greece – Spain 8:14 (2:5, 1:3, 3:2, 2:4)
Greece:Tsoukala 3, Xenaki 2, M.Plevritou 1, V.Plevritou 1, E.Plevritou 1.
Spain: Ortiz 4, Garcia 3, Espar 2, Leiton 2, Tarrago 1, Pena 1, Aznar 1.
Extra player shots: Greece 6/11, Spain 5/7. Penalty shots: Spain 1/1.
USA – Kazakhstan 20:2 (9:0, 6:2, 1:0, 4:0)
USA: Haralabidis 5,Musselman 3, Fattal 2, Hauschild 2, Al.Fischer 2, Williams 2, Nieushul 1, Ar. Fischer 1, Seidemann 1, Gilchrist 1.
Kazakhstan: Roga 1, Muravyeva 1.
Extra player shots: USA 6/11, Kazakhstan 0/3. Penalty shots: USA 5/6.
The Greeks gave their best. But the hosts again started the match with only eight field players and two goalkeepers (because of the exclusions in the European qualifications), and they couldn’t keep up with the European champions. Spain built a 3-goal advantage during the first eight minutes (5:2). Greece reduced the gap early in the second period (3:5). In the middle of the quarter, Maica Garcia Godoy found the net for 6:3. The Spaniards scored two goals in the last 54 seconds of the first half and broke the rival. They entered the third period leading 8:3 and didn’t let Greece come back.
Tomorrow, the Greeks will have 13 players in the line-up in the match against Kazakhstan. The suspension, finally, expired, and the hosts will have a good chance to collect the first points at the tournament.
Spain will have a tough test tomorrow. They will meet the USA in the replay of the final of the 2019 World Championships. Two years ago, the USA defeated Spain by five goals (11:6).
The USA, the best female water polo team in the world, was too strong for the young Kazakhs. The Americans earned an 11:0 lead, before Kazakhstan scored its first goal in the match.
1 USA 2 – 6
2 Spain 2 – 6
3 Greece 2 – 0
4 Kazakhstan 2 – 0
