After an exceptionally exciting Wednesday in Belgrade on the 4th FINA World Women’s Youth Water Polo Championships, Thursday was a calmer day in the Serbian capital. The great majority of the matches ended with very convincing victories. However, this can be interpreted as a preparation for the ‘Big Water Polo Friday’ in the tournament.
However, after Thursday’s matches, the quarter-finals games were defined and the medal struggle already started. This Friday in Belgrade, the quarter-finals will oppose: Spain – Hungary, Greece – Russia, USA – Italy and Netherlands – Australia.
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Match Reports
SF 1: Serbia v Brazil 5:8
Quarters: 3:1, 1:3, 1:1, 0:3
After a 4:1 lead of the host team at the beginning of the second quarter, Serbia completely relaxed in the fight against Brazil. Goalie Isabel de Souza had a fantastic day as well as Kemilly Ferreira Leao, who scored 4 goals. Serbian extrawomen attack was again pretty useless. That was key to understand why Brazil in the last period of the game, scoring three consecutive goals, solved the outcome of the match.
SF 2: Argentina v South Africa 8:11
Quarters: 2:5, 1:2, 2:2, 3:2
Much better play of South Africa, with an early comfortable lead (3:0) after the first six minutes of the match. During the third quarter, the goal difference raised to five in favor of South Africa (8:3 and 9:4). The victory was then inevitable for the African squad.
Italy v Uzbekistan 25:4
Quarters: 6:1, 7:1, 6:1, 6:1
It was just an easy training for the Italians. They had 42 shots in total and almost all quarters ended with the same significant difference (5/6 goals).
Canada v Australia 3:6
Quarters: 1:0, 1:2, 1:2, 0:2
The match was marked by excellent defensive actions from both teams. Canada had a minimum advantage in the first quarter. By the middle of the third period, it was a pretty equal match and the winner was decided by the two goals of Carla Traplin in the last period of the game, at precisely 5:54 and 5:02 minutes before the end.
Hungary v New Zealand 15:8
Quarters: 2:2, 5:1, 4:1, 4:4
The game displayed two quarters (second and third) of Hungarian domination and two in which New Zealand showed a certain quality. The favorite, without much effort, came to victory with the effective actions of Papadi, Petovari, and Rybanska.
Kazakhstan v Russia 1:15
Quarters: 0:5, 0:4, 1:3, 0:3
Russians very easily settled this match in their favor. In the third and fourth quarters, they played more relaxed, preparing already their minds and bodies for the quarter-final match. Pystina and Popova were the most effective players on the winning side. Goalkeeper Alibeyeva saved Kazakhstan from an even more convincing defeat.
