Italy, the Netherlands, Russia and Greece will play in the semifinals of the World Women’s U20 Championships in Funchal (Portugal).
Today, in the quarterfinals, Italy produced a brilliant comeback and defeated the USA (9:8). The Netherlands didn’t have an easy task, but the Dutch managed to beat China (8:6). Russia continued its winning streak by prevailing Hungary (18:11). Greece secured the spot in the semifinals with a 10:8 victory over Spain.
Schedule for 14 September
Semifinals
Italy – Netherlands
Russia – Greece
Classification 5-8, semifinals
Hungary – Spain
USA – China
For 9th place
Canada – Australia
For 11th place
Brazil – South Africa
World Women’s U20 Championships, Day 5
Quarterfinals
USA – Italy 8:9 (3:4, 2:1, 3:2, 0:2)
USA: Roemer 4, Neushul 2, Hill 1, Flynn 1.
Italy: Cocchiere 3, Bettini 2, Zanetta 1, Amedeo 1, Cergol 1, Riccioli 1.
After a lot of twists and turns, Italy overcame the Team USA. At halftime, the sides were tied (5:5), while the Americans controlled everything in the third period and gained an 8:6 lead a minute and 11 seconds before the last break. After that, they started missing their chances. Italy cut the deficit 15 seconds from the end of the third quarter (7:8). The Italians kept the USA scoreless in the last period, while they hit the back of the net twice for a 9:8 victory.
Netherlands – China 8:6 (3:1, 1:0, 1:1, 3:4)
Netherlands: Maxine 4, Rozanne 2, Simone 2.
China: Xiao 2, Rui 2, Bozhou 1, Xinyan 1.
Though the Dutch dominated for more than two quarters, they couldn’t relax until the end, as China fought hard. The Netherlands earned a big 5:1 advantage early in the third period, but the Chinese didn’t give up. They netted three straight goals. A minute and a half into the fourth quarter, they reduced the gap to one (4:5). The Dutch responded with three straight goals in a span of two minutes to build a safe 8:4 lead midway through the 4th quarter. China netted two consolation goals by the end.
Russia – Hungary 18:11 (6:2, 6:3, 4:2, 2:4)
Russia: Chagochkina 4, Diachenko 3, Zaplatina 3, Kempf 2, Pystina 2, Tolkunova 2, Shapkina 1, Popova 1.
Hungary: Valyi 4, Kiss 3, Muzsnay 2, Armai 1, K. Farrago 1.
Russia produced another almost flawless performance in the first half and that was enough for a convincing win. The Russians had a 12:5 lead at halftime. Shortly after the middle break, they extended the gap to seven goals – 14:5 and there was no way back for Hungary.
Greece – Spain 10:8 (6:1, 3:4, 0:3, 1:0)
Greece: Elliniadi 4, Myrokefalitaki 3, Douli 1, Kontoni 1, Kanetidou 1.
Spain: Arrones 3, Amoros 1, Espinagosa 1, Velayos 1, Zurita 1, Alvarez 1.
The opening minutes of the match passed in the balanced battle, but after 1:1, the Greeks stunned Spain with a 5:0 rush and entered the second period with a 6:1 lead.
The Spaniards were able to recover from a shock and they trailed by one goal in the middle of the third period (8:9). They didn’t manage to go further. Spain didn’t find the net in the last 12 minutes. The Greeks also didn’t play well in the attack in the fourth period. But Elliniadi’s fourth goal for 10:8 in the 26th minute was enough for Greece to secure a win and also a quiet ending of the game. Besides the scorers, the hero of the Greek victory was a goalkeeper Marina Korsioni, who blocked 16 the Spaniards’ shots.
Classification 9 – 12, semifinals
Brazil – Canada 7:9 (1:2, 2:2, 2:1, 2:4)
Brazil: Al. Amaral 3, Leao 2, Dias 1, Pereira 1.
Canada: Guevremont 3, Bakoc 2, Utas 1, Van Dyke 1, Gonzalez 1, Carroll 1.
Australia – South Africa 16:5 (4:1, 5:2, 1:1, 6:1)
Australia: Swadling 6, A. Andrews 3, Oberman 2, Dalziel 2, Emerson 2, Thomas 1.
South Africa: Hinrichs 2, Wedderburn 2, Taancrel 1, Miszewski 1.
Canada and Australia will meet in the match for the 12th place.
Australia found it easy to beat South Africa, while Canada secured a win in the last few minutes. The Canadians led throughout the first half. The Brazilians went ahead in the fourth period. Brazil had a 7:6 advantage four minutes before the end. But, Canada netted three goals in the remaining time, for a 9:7 victory.
Classification 13 – 14
Japan – New Zealand 13:10 (3:2, 5:3, 2:3, 3:2)
Japan: Nishiyama 4, Watada 2, Ura 2, Terakata 2, Hashida 1, Iwano 1, Shitara 1.
New Zealand: Houghton 4, Alsemgeest 3, Milicich 1, Carrington 1, Shorter Robinson 1.
Classification 15 – 16
Kazakhstan – Portugal 13:6 (2:3, 2:1, 3:0, 6:2)
Kazakhstan: Murataliyeva 4, Novikova 3, Khirtankova 3, Yeremina 1, Rakhimanova 1, Shapovalova 1.
Portugal: Lousa 3, Teixeira 2, Jardim 1.
