Terrassa win but COVID concerns overshadow matchday 11

December 18, 2021

Photo: RFEN

The story of the day in the Division de Honor was not about events that took place in the pool, but online, as one of the country’s foremost water polo players, Beatriz Ortiz, took to social media to call out RFEN about why games were not being postponed. On twitter, Ortiz wrote:

“Its unfortunate and sad what happened today. You (RFEN) have put the health of not only the players at risk, but also our families. Band of egotists RFEN for allowing this to happen and for always thinking about your own ass. Its disappointing from CE Mediterrani for giving us a choice between our health or the 3 sad points that you just lost”,

RFEN responded by saying:

“(We) tell you that RFEN and the clubs have strictly followed the written instructions of the health authorities of the corresponding Autonomous Community to play the game. For the organizer of the Leagues there is no greater victory than your health”.

It is becoming clear that the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming increasingly precarious. It is understandable that players and coaches are worried about their health and wellbeing and the safety of their loved-ones. At total, we hope that the welfare of players across the world in any league is put before the demands of leagues and national federations, and if the players feel unsafe to participate, the relevant bodies should intervene so they are not backed into a corner to play.

CE Mediterrani 10-11 CN Terrassa (2-4, 3-2, 2-2, 3-3)

Mediterrani: M. Rizo, A. Munoz 1, J. Cereijo, L. Rodriguez, C. Toha Vilanova, P. Prats 1, C. Espar 5, A. Marcos 1, A. Grossman 1, H. Dalmases, M. Viladot, S. Puanani, D. Willemsz

Terrassa: S. Domene, D. Quinzada, J. Panicello 3, B. Ortiz 2, C. Cantero 1, M. Cardona, N. Ten Broek, P. Pena, N. Cuenda 1, P. Camus 2, O. Domenech 2, P. Leiton, E. Arcas

Terrassa defeated Mediterrani by a single goal at Josep Valles, but the game was marred by the debate surrounding COVID and the continuation of elite sport. Many of the players, including the match winner, Bea Ortiz, took to social media after the game to suggest RFEN, the governing body of Swimming and Water Polo in Spain, was putting the health of players and their families at risk by not postponing games. The Spanish international and double Olympic SIlver medalist described RFEN as a ‘band of egotists’. Her team mates, Olga Domenech and Judith Panicello, were notably supportive of her stance.

In the game itself, Clara Espar, who earlier this week announced her retirement, scored five for CE Mediterrani. But it was not enough for Maria Diaz’s side, who now fall into fourth, behind Terrassa in third.

CN Sant Andreu 20-5 AR Concepcion (6-1, 4-1, 5-2, 5-1)

Sant Andreu: A. Lorca, H. Ballesty 3, N. Mora 1, M. Van der Weijden 8, G. La Farre 1, H. Ruckelshaus, M. Cordobes 3, D. Mammolito, R. Prieto 2, M. Ungria, M. Palacio 2, A. Ruiz Barril, M. Terre

Concepcion: L. Cruz, C. Lucia 2, I. San Pedro, P. Sanchez, A. Morales, C. Rivera 1, E. Garcia, P. Suarez 2, C. Puente, A. Mira, R. Rodriguez, M. Peragon, L. Garcia

Sant Andreu wiped the floor with Concepcion in large part thanks to eight goals from the Dutch international Marit Van der Weijden. Hayley Ballesty and Marina Cordobes Navarro both netted three. Sant Andreu are fifth in the table, while Concepcion still are yet to register a point.

ESC Zaragoza 7-21 CN Mataro (2-6, 2-5, 1-5, 2-5)

Zaragoza: I. Bello, N. Calavia, M. Ciudad 2, I. Tello, S. Lorente, A. Sarinena, N. Naya 3, A. Chicote, R. Corao, A. Moya, L. Gomez, J. Tazueco 2, S. Ballesta

Mataro: M. Sanchez, S. Morell 4, M. Claveria 2, A. Gual 1, I. Piralkova 2, A. Timofeeva 2, R. Gurri, C.Nogue, M. Bach, Q. Bertran 2, A. Espar, 3 B. Markoch 5, B. Colominas

Mataro got back to winning ways away in Aragon to Zaragoza with Dani Ballart’s side dominating the match. Bella Markoch netted five times in the game, taking her season tally to 22, while Silvia Morell put four away in probably her best game since arriving in the summer. Zaragoza are now second bottom, but level on points with Barceloneta .

Astralpool Sabadell 17-3 Natacion Boadilla (6-1, 3-1, 5-0, 3-1)

Sabadell: L. Ester, M. Ortiz, M. Bonet, S. Van der Sloot 1, M. Serrano 2, M. Steffens 3, I. Casado 2, M. Garcia Godoy 2, J. Forca Ariza 3, A. Prados, N. Perez, I. Gonzales 4, P. Carilla

Boadilla: M. Gutierrez, E. Ruano, E. Portillo 1, L. Campos, S. Gonzalez, S. Duenas, E. De la Cruz, M. De Quinta, C. Hagen, E. Alcon, M. Ramos, G. Gallinato 2, P. Moreno

Fresh from their huge victory last time out against Mataro, Sabadell followed up this morning with a dominant victory over Boadilla. Irene Gonzalez netted four, while two players – Maggie Steffens and Judith Forca, secured hat-tricks.

CN Atletic Barceloneta 8-9 CN Rubi (4-1, 2-3, 2-3, 0-2)

Barceloneta: A. Farre, A. Garcia 1, N. Martin, C. Martin 2, N. Josifovic 2, V. Sanchez, A. Pastor, N. Mandic, B. Seto 1, J. Altisen, S. Garcia 1, M. Madre 1, P. Rutgers

Rubi: E. Jimenez, A. Roldan, D. Gerschovsky, L. Rion, M. Manchego 1, C. Abellan 1, E. Ruiz Barril 3, C. Alonso 2, E. Vesperinas, J. Prados, L. Soriano, A. Trivino 2, I. Abril

Rubi secured a fortunate three points against Barceloneta despite trailing for most of the game. It was the seventeen year old Elena Ruiz Barril who won the game for her side, scoring the first, and more importantly, the last goal of the game. Amanda Trivino and Carla Abellan also played a big part in the game for Rubi. Carla Martin and Nina Josifovic both scored twice for Barceloneta – who will feel this was a chanced missed to gain three vital points.

CN Catalunya 12-7 CN Sant Feliu (2-1, 1-1, 5-2, 4-3)

Catalunya: M. Terre A. Ruiz 2, R. Schuijt 3, M. Van Rijn 1, B. Pascual 1, M. Sagrera, N. Begona 3, L. Escoda, N. Vidondo, S. Diaz 1, L. Sanchez, C. Diaz 1

Sant Feliu: I. Costa, J. Soler, M. Bargallo 1, M. Bernabe 1, B. Goset, L. Roca 1, R. Maldonado, C. Moreno, D. Moreno 3, U. Del Sol 1, L. Hildago, M. Gomez, I. Turegano

Catalunya secured their fifth win of the season with a victory over Sant Feliu – who they now have a 5 point advantage over in the league. Roline Schuijt and Naia Begon both secured hat-tricks for Gabor Egedi’s side to put them 7th in the table.