Two matches of the European qualifications for the Men’s World League Super Final were played today.
World champion Italy ran over Georgia – 14:3 and secured the 1st place in Group A and its spot in the quarterfinals, that will be held on 17th March.
Russia and France faced off in Ruzha. Russia celebrated a 13:12 victory after a penalty shootout.
Hungary defeated Russia 12:9 in today’s only match of the Women’s World League.
Men’s World League 2020, European Qualifications, Day 2
Group A
Italy – Georgia 14:3 (1:0, 6:2, 4:1, 3:0)
Italy: Di Fulvio 6, Luongo 2, Di Somma 1, Fondelli 1, Iodice 1, FIgari 1, Bruni 1, Aicardi 1.
Georgia: Rurua 2, Crepulja 1.
Italy started slowly in the match played in Civitavecchia. It took almost eight minutes before the Italians find the back of the net. Edoardo di Somma converted a man-up for 1:0 just 16 seconds from the end of the first quarter. The hosts took control from the second quarter and, led by the MVP of the World Championships Francesco di Fulvio, cruised to a 14:3 win.
Italy secured the top spot in the group, as it collected all 6 points. The Italians defeated Greece 9:6 in the derby on Day 1.
Georgia will host Greece in the last match of the group.
1 Italy 2 – 6
2 Greece 1 – 0
3 Georgia 1 – 0
Day 3: Georgia – Greece (11 February)
Group B
Russia – France 13:12 (3:2, 3:3, 0:1, 2:2, PSO 5:4)
Russia: Kiselev 4, Kholod 3, Merkulov 2, Nagaev 2, Bychkov 1, Suckhov.
France: Vernoux 3, Marzouki 3, Crousillat 2, Vernoux 1, Canonne 1, Camarasa 1, Missy 1.
After a 6:14 loss to Hungary , Russia took two points in a thrilling match against France. This win might be decisive in a hunt for the 2nd place in the group. France must surprise Hungary on Day 3 to reach the quarterfinals.
There were a lot of twists and turns in the match in Ruzha. France was leading 1:0, 2:1, 4:3. Russia, also, had a minimal advantage several times (3:2, 5:4, 6:5). But the distance between the sides was never larger than a single goal. Before the final eight minutes, the score was 6:6. In the middle of the fourth quarter, Russia earned a 7:6 lead. The French responded with two goals and went ahead (8:7) two and a half minutes before the end. Dmitri Kholod scored from a man-up 46 seconds from the end to level the score and secure a penalty shootout.
In the first series of penalties, French Nicolas Missy missed. Other shooters didn’t make mistake and Russia earned a 13:12 victory.
1 Hungary 1 – 3
2 Russia 2 -2
3 France 2 – 1
Day 3: France – Hungary (12 February)
Group C
Serbia – Croatia to be played on 29 December.
1 Serbia 1 – 3
2 Netherlands 1 – 0
3 Croatia 0 – 0
Day 3: Croatia – Netherlands (12 February)
Group D
Spain – Ukraine 20:8 (6:1, 5:1, 3:2, 6:4) – played earlier
1 Montenegro 1 – 3
2 Spain 1 – 3
3 Ukraine 2 – 0
Day 3: Spain – Montenegro (12 February)
Women’s World League 2020, European Qualifications, Day 3
Russia – Hungary 9:12 (1:2, 1:4, 2:4, 5:2)
Russia: Pystina 4, Markoch 2, Kempf 1, Popova 1, Chagochkina 1.
Hungary: Szilagyi 3, Gurisatti 2, Garda 2, Antal 1, Szuscg 1, Valyi 1, Rybanska 1, Leimeter 1.
Before the encounter between the male teams of Russia and France in Ruzha, the Russian and the Hungarian female teams faced off.
Russia played without a few main players, who are competing at the Holiday Cup in Princeton. Hungary’s best scorer Rita Keszthelyi missed the match, too, but the visitors dominated from the opening whistle.
1 Spain 2 – 5
2 Italy 2 -4
3 Hungary 2 – 4
4 Russia 3 – 3
5 Netherlands 1 – 2
6 France 2 – 0
7 Greece –
