The first day of the second round of the Women’s World Cup in Athens is over, with two highly competitive games unfolding this evening.
In the first game, the home team Greece needed to stage a remarkable comeback in the second half to secure a 13-11 victory against China, keeping their hopes of making it to the World Cup Final alive.
Then, the United States faced a spirited Hungary side, eventually securing a hard-fought 10-8 victory. The Americans were made to work for their win, with Hungary putting up a tough fight until the final whistle.
Earlier in the day, Spain faced a tough challenge against Australia but managed to hold on for a narrow 9-8 victory, while the Netherlands comfortably defeated Italy 16-10. You can read about the earlier games here.
Day 1, Women’s World Cup 2023 Athens– Group B
Greece 13 – 11 China (2-4, 2-3, 5-2, 4-2)
Greece: C. Diamantopoulou, F. Tricha 1, I. Chydirioti 2, N. Eleftheriadou 5, M. Plevritou, E. Xenaki 1, E. Ninou, E. Elliniadi, C. Siouti, V. Plevritou 1, A. Giannopoulou 1, M. Myriokefalitaki 2, I. Stamatopoulou
China: W. Dong, Q. Zhong, J. Yan 1, D. Xiong 1, Y. Zhai 1, S. Wang 2, Z. Deng 1, H. Wang, S. Yan 2, S. Nong 2, X. Chen, J. Zhang, X. Du
Greece secured a hard-fought victory in their opening match at Athens, coming from behind to defeat China 13-11 and take a crucial step towards qualifying for the World Cup Finals.
Despite a less-than-impressive performance from the hosts, who failed to capitalise on extra-player moves and squandered several opportunities in attack, they managed to turn the tables on their opponents in the last seven minutes of the game and clinch the win.
Nikoleta Eleftheriadou was the standout performer for Alexia Kammenou’s side, scoring an impressive 5 goals and inspiring her teammates to mount a comeback after a slow start.
China, on the other hand, started off strongly and dominated for the first sixteen minutes, taking a four-goal lead just before halftime. However, their composure in attack began to wane as the game progressed, and they were ultimately unable to hold off a resurgent Greece.
Despite the disappointment of defeat, there were plenty of positives for Charis Pavlidis’ Chinese team, who showed impressive intensity and skill early on and will have gained valuable experience and learning from the match. However, with their chances of making the World Cup Finals now all but over, they will have to focus on finishing the tournament strongly and building for the future.
While Greece will have been relieved to secure the victory, Alexia Kammenou will be well aware that tougher challenges lie ahead for her team in the form of Spain and Australia, and they will certainly need to improve if they want to take victories in those games.
Siya Yan and Shiyun Wang gave China an early lead with two quick goals, before Eleftheriadou and Vasiliki Plevritou struck back for Greece. However, the visitors continued to dominate in the second period, with goals from Jing Zhang and Jing Yan putting them four goals ahead. Eleftheriadou managed to score just before halftime to keep Greece in the game, but China remained in control.
The momentum shifted in the second half, however, with Eleftheriadou scoring three goals in the third quarter to bring Greece level at 9-9 before Eleni Xenaki’s finish at centre-forward tied the game. With the home crowd behind them, Greece seized the initiative, taking the lead through Ioanna Chydirioti in the 22nd minute. China fought back to level the score at 10-10 and then 11-11, but Maria Myriokefalitaki’s breakaway goal put Greece back in front before Foteini Tricha’s shot sealed the win with less than a minute to play.
Nikoleta Eleftheriadou scored five times against China. Photo: KOE.
Day 1, Women’s World Cup 2023 Athens– Group A
United States 10 – 8 Hungary (3-2, 2-1, 2-3, 3-2)
United States: A. Johnson, M. Musselman 2, T. Prentice 1, R. Fattal, J. Bonaguidi 2, M. Steffens 1, E. Ausmus 2, A. Stryker, D. Mammolito, R. Gazzaniga, A. Cohen, J. Raney 2, A. Longan
Hungary: A. Magyari, D. Szilagyi, V. Valyi 1, G. Gurisatti 3, G. Mahieu, R. Parkes 1, Z. Mate, P. Tiba 1, D. Leimeter 2, N. Rybanska, K. Hajdu, K. Garda, B. Neszmely
In a thrilling encounter, Team USA emerged victorious over Hungary with a 10-8 scoreline, marking a hard-fought win for the reigning Olympic Champions.
The stats were telling in this game, with the Americans converting an impressive six out of eight extra-player chances, while Hungary could only manage one from seven. Musselman, Bonaguidi, Ausmus, and Raney all scored braces to secure the hard-fought victory for the Americans.
The Americans got off to a strong start, despite Hungary having the lion’s share of the chances. Rebecca Parkes found the back of the net with a perfect centre-forward goal, followed by Greta Gurisatti’s powerful extra-player strike. However, Maddie Musselman’s brace brought Team USA level, before Jordan Raney secured the lead for the Americans with the last set attack of the quarter.
In the second period, the Magyars struggled to break through the American defence, managing only a 5m penalty from Gurisatti. Meanwhile, Julia Bonaguidi’s two well-taken strikes extended the USA’s lead to 5-3.
Maggie Steffens’ excellent power play goal could have given the USA a comfortable lead, but Hungary responded strongly. Panna Tiba, Vanda Valyi, and Dora Leimeter found the back of the net to level the scores at 6-6. Emily Ausmus’ precise finish gave Team USA the lead inside the final minute, but the game remained delicately poised.
The final quarter was a dogfight, with both teams giving their all to secure the win. Tara Prentice and Jordan Raney found the back of the net for the Americans, extending their lead to 9-6. Gurisatti pulled one back for Hungary, but the Americans immediately cancelled it out with another goal from Musselman, maintaining their three-goal buffer. Leimeter’s late goal was a mere consolation for Hungary, as Team USA emerged victorious.
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