The United States of America and Hungary will face off in the gold-medal match at the Women’s World League Super Final in Athens.
The USA easily defeated Russia in the first semifinal (18:7). Hungary started slowly, but it recorded a solid victory over Canada (14:10).
Hungary will play in the final for the second time in the World League’s history. Tomorrow’s encounter between Hungary and the USA will be a replay of the final played 17 years ago.
The Hungarians reached the gold medal match in the first edition of the World League in 2004. They lost to the USA (5:6). Between 2004 and 2021, the Americans won 14 medals (13 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), while Hungary didn’t win a single medal, although it played in the semifinals three times (2005, 2013, and 2017).
Day 5, semifinals 1st-4th place: Russia – USA 8:17, Hungary – Canada 14:10. Semifinals, 5th-8th place: Spain – Kazakhstan 20:8, Greece – Japan 17:5.
Day 6 – Final: USA – Hungary, bronze-medal match: Russia – Canada, for 5th place: Spain – Greece, for 7th place: Kazakhstan – Japan.
2021 Women’s World League Super Final, Athens, Day 5
Semifinals, 1st – 4th place
Russia – USA 8:17 (3:5, 0:4, 1:4, 4:4)
Russia: Bersneva 1, Prokofyeva 1, Karimova 1, Borisova 1, Simanovich 1, Timofeeva 1, Ivanova 1, Glyzina 1.
USA: Musselman 3, Haralabidis 3, M.Fischer 3, Steffens 2, Ar.Fischer 2, Williams 2, Seidemann 1, Fattal 1.
Extra player shots: Russia 2/7, USA 4/11. Penalty shots: USA 4/4.
The USA team continued its winning streak with a new big victory. The Americans demonstrated their superiority again. Russia could keep up with the favorite in the first quarter. In the 8th minute, the United States had a minimal 4:3 lead. Three seconds before the first break, Melissa Seidemann closed the first period with an action goal for 5:3.
The Americans dominated the second and the third quarter. They jumped to a 12:3 lead by the middle of the third period. After the USA’s 8:0 run, Nadezhda Glyzina ended Russia’s goalless phase, which lasted more than 18 minutes for 4:12, but it was too late for a comeback.
Hungary – Canada 14:10 (4:3, 3:2, 6:4, 1:1)
Hungary: Keszthelyi 4, Illes 2, Rybanska 2, Szilagyi 2, Gurisatti 2, Leimeter 1, Gyonyossy 1.
Canada: Christmas 3, La Roche 2, E.Wright 2, Eggens 2, McKee 1.
Extra player shots: Hungary 5/11, Canada 2/7. Penalty shots: Hungary 2/2, Canada 1/1.
Hungary secured a medal even though it suffered two losses in the preliminary round (to Russia 13:14, and Canada 12:13).
Today, they took revenge for a defeat to Canada.
The North Americans started very well, with two goals in the first three minutes for a 2:0 lead. But, Hungary took control soon, produced a 4:0 rush, and went in front (4:2). The Canadians halved the distance before the end of the first quarter (3:4).
Rita Keszthelyi converted a power-play advantage in Hungary’s first possession in the second quarter and gave her team a 5:3 lead. The Europeans maintained a 2-goal difference until the middle break (7:5). They broke the rival in the third period.
In the middle of the third quarter, Hungary earned a 5-goal advantage (12:7), and there was no way back for the Canadians. Hungary controlled the match and scheduled a replay of the 2004 World League final.
Semifinals 5th – 8th place
Spain – Kazakhstan 20:8 (6:3, 6:3, 4:2, 4:0)
Spain:Ruiz 5, Espar 3, Forca 3, Garcia 3, Leiton 3, Aznar 2, Pena 1.
Kazakhstan: Turova 3, Yeremina 3, Roga 1, Muraltiyeva 1.
Extra player shots: Spain 3/6, Kazakhstan 4/8. Penalty shots: Spain 2/3, Kazakhstan 1/2.
Greece – Japan 17:5 (4:2, 5:0, 4:2, 4:1)
Greece: Xenaki 5, Eleftheriadou 4, Tsoukala 3, Myriokefalitaki 3, M.Plevritou 1, Ninou 1.
Japan: Arima 2, Inaba 1, Iwano 1, Yamamoto 1.
Extra player shots: Greece 6/10, Japan 3/9. Penalty shots: Greece 1/1.
Spain and Greece beat their respective Asian rivals with ease.
