The European qualification tournament of Division 2 of the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup in Otopeni (Romania) is halfway through.
After three rounds, Germany is leading the standings with three wins and nine points. Malta, Romania, and Ukraine all have three points, with Ukraine having played one match more than the other two teams. Great Britain has yet to earn any points.
World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Division 2, European Qualifications
In the first round, Germany faced off against Ukraine and came out on top in a hard-fought match (9:7). Germany held the lead for most of the match, but Ukraine was able to tie it up before the final quarter. However, in the final eight minutes, Germany scored three goals, conceding one, to secure the win in the new head coach Milos Sekulic’s debut on Germany’s bench.
Germany then went on to defeat Malta 9:5 in the second round.
In the highlight of Round 3, Germany faced Romania and won 9:7. Germany earned an early 2:1 lead, but Romania briefly took a 3:2 advantage in the second quarter. Germany responded with a 4:0 run, and jumped to 6:3. Romania was able to close the gap to two but could not catch up to Germany.
Before losing to Germany, Romania had easily defeated Great Britain 16:2. Ukraine collected three points with a 12:9 victory over Great Britain. The Brits woke up too late. After trailing 11:3 before the final quarter, they won the final period – 6:1.
Malta earned its three points with an 11:6 win over Ukraine, with the Maltese taking an early 4:0 lead in the first quarter.
Germany will likely finish in 1st place, as it only has one more match to play against bottom-placed Great Britain. However, Germany is already qualified for the Intercontinental tournament of Division 2 in Berlin (May 1 – 7) as the host. Besides Germany, two teams will secure their tickets for Berlin in Otopeni.
The matches Ukraine – Romania and Malta – Romania matches will be crucial in the battle for 2nd and 3rd place.
The tournament neds on Sunday.
RESULTS AND STANDINGS
Round 1
Romania – Great Britain 16:2 (4:0, 3:0, 4:2, 5:0)
Germany – Ukraine 9:7 (3:2, 2:1, 1:3, 3:1)
Malta bye
Round 2
Ukraine – Great Britain 12:9 (5:1, 2:1, 4:1, 1:6)
Malta – Germany 5:9 (0:2, 3:2, 1:2, 1:2)
Romania bye
Round 3
Ukraine – Malta 6:11 (0:4, 3:2, 3:4, 0:1)
Romania – Germany 7:9 (1:2, 2:2, 2:3, 2:2)
Great Britain bye
1.Germany 3 games – 9 points
2.Romania 2 – 3
3. Malta 2 – 3
4.Ukraine 3 – 3
5. Great Britain 2 – 0
