The third competition day featured eight games at Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, and the preliminary round came to the end.
Day 1, women's water polo tournament of the 17th FINA World Championships /fina-budapest2017.com/
W17 Group C
Japan-France 8-9 (3-3, 0-3, 3-1, 2-2)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Koryzna (POL), Buch (ESP).
Japan: Shioya – Sakanoue 2, Yamamoto 1, Inaba 3, Noro, Tokumoto, Suzuki 2. Subs: Arima, Kazama, Magariyama, Niizawa. Head coach: Katho Hideo.
France: Counil – Millot 4, Guillet 1, Mahieu 2, Valverde, Barbieux 1, Daule 1. Subs: Bachelier, Au. Sacre, Ad. Sacre, Deschampt. Head coach: Florian Bruzzo.
The first match of the decisive day at the women’s preliminaries was a real life and death match: the winner can continue the tournament among the best 12 teams, while the looser has to play for the 13-16th places. Until this game, Japan was better in attack than its opponent France. The Asian team started with a Suzuki goal, and the Japanese led continuously, but France equalised at the last second of the first quarter. The Europeans were better in scoring from extramen shots and took the lead, and dominated in the second quarter (3-0). Japan woke up after the second brake and equalised, however, France maintained its lead with a late goal at the end of the third period (6-7). Both teams used their last energies. The French scored the fourth goal of Millot one minute before the final whistle (8-9), while Japan hit the bar. It meant the France won the game and qualified for the knockout stage, and will play against the 2nd placed team of Group D, while Japan plays against the 4th placed team of Group D for the 13-16th place on Saturday.
W19 Group D
Australia-Greece 8-11 (2-2, 3-3, 2-3, 1-3)
Hajós Alfréd Complex, referees: Alexandrescu (ROU), Putnikovic (SRB).
Australia: Yanitsas – Gofers 3, Buckling 2, Halligan 1, Bishop 1, Ridge, Webster 1. Subs: Zimmerman, Arancini, Mihajlovic, Baxter, Steere, Hedges. Head coach: Athansios Kechagias.
Greece: Diamantopoulou C. – Tsoukala, Diamantopoulou V., Avramidou 1, Asimaki 3, Plevritou E. 3, Xenaki 1. Subs: Kouvdou, Eleftheriadou, Plevritou M., Chydirioti 1, Kotsia, Manilioudaki 2. Head coach: Georgios Morfesis.
The match started with a Greek goal, but Australia was able to score twice, just to concede three times in a row after that. So we can say the match was just like a revolving door in the first half, which ended with a 5-5 tie.
Finally the third quarter didn’t end in a tie, Greece was able to come up on top and also started the fourth period better with a spectacular lob shot from Eleftheria Plevritou. The thrills came at the end of the game, where Greece lead by 2, and shortly after that by 3. The former would have meant that Australia takes first place, while latter would have meant that Greece will win this Group, meanwhile Australia will take second place. After a couple of attacks by Australia, the score remained 11-8, so Greece pulled of a huge victory and advances to the quarterfinals.
W20 Group D
Russia-Kazakhstan 15-6 (5-1, 3-2, 4-2, 3-1)
Hajós Alfréd Complex, referees: Florestano (BRA), Dykman (CAN).
Russia: Ushtiukhina – Prokofyeva 2, Karimova 2, Borisova, Simanovich 3, Ivanova 2, Rhyzkova 2. Subs: Vakhitova, Gorbunova, Serzhantova 2, Timofeeva 2, Tolkunova, Karnaukh. Head coach: Alexander Gaidukov.
Kazakhstan: Zharkimbayeva – Akilbayeva 1, Turova, Zakirova 2, Myrzabekova, Murshina 3, Mussarova. Subs: Raiter, Roga, Novikova, Saichuk, Yeremina, Alibayeva. Head coach: Andrey Sazykin.
There was almost nothing to play for in this game, as the heavy favourite Russia only needed a tie to advance to the playoffs and a huge win or even just a small one wouldn’t have mattered, they would’ve finished third in the group anyway. Nonetheless, Russia started off fast, lead throughout the game and won easily againts Kazakhstan.
Final standings: 1. Greece 4 p, 2. Australia 4 p, 3. Russia 4 p, 4. Kazakhstan 0 p.
In case of point equality, the final standings are determined by the direct results among the teams involved.
W21 Group A
Italy-China 15-8 (3-2, 4-3, 6-0, 2-4)
Hajós Alfréd Complex, referees: Naumov (RUS), Stavradis (GRE).
Italy: Gorlero – Garibotti 1, Queirolo 1, Radicchi 1, Aiello 3, Bianconi 3, Emmolo. Subs: Tabani 1, Picozzi 1, Palmieri 3, Cotti 1, Dario, Lavi. Head coach: Fabio Conti.
China: Peng – Mei 1, Xiong 1, Niu, Guo, Zhang C. 1, Zhao 1. Subs: Bi, Nong, Zhang D., Chen 3, Zhong J. 1, Shen. Head coach: Dali Gong.
China started the game better, but after 2-1, Italy hit the post three times in a row and then scored three times in a row turning this match around. In the second half, Italy increased their lead significantly and didn’t leave any questions unanswered for the final quarter. The Italian team won all three of their games, and advanced to the quarterfinals and should enjoy their rest day on Saturday. China probably will take third place in the group, unless Brazil can surprise Canada in the first match of the afternoon program.
W22 Group A
Brazil-Canada 6-16 (2-4, 2-4, 1-4, 1-4)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Daners (URU), Mercier (FRA)
Brazil: Chamorro - Abla 1, Zablith, Souza, Dias 1, Bahia, Duarte 1. Subs.: Amaral, Leao, Ferreira 3, Bruzzo, Belorio, Sa. Head coach: Eduardo Abla
Canada: Gaudreault - Wright 1, Eggens 1, Bekhazi 1, McKelvey 2, Robinson, Fournier 3. Subs.: Alogbo 1, Crevier, Wright 1, Christmas 5, Lemay-Lavoie 2, McKee, Hage. Head coach: Theoharis Pavlidis
Canada jumped into the pool aware of the fact, that if they can defeat the Brazilians, they go into the next round on the second place of the group. Accordingly, Haris Pavlidis’s team started the match with two goals, and although South Americans were able to equalize, Canada won the first and second quarter 4-2, not least with Kyra Christmas, who scored four goals.
The Canadian team did not lose their run and hit the goals unstoppably. Haris Pavlidis's side won all four quarters, so they won the match too. The end is 16-6, so Canada is behind the Italians, but ahead of China finished on the second place of the group.
W23 Group B
New Zealand-United States 7-22 (2-6, 1-6, 2-6, 2-4)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Garibaldi (ITA), Kajiwara (JPN)
New Zealand: Milicich – Lewis, Mason 1, Ferigo, Lopes da Silva 1, Stoneman 2, Hudson 1; Subs: Boyd, Doyle, Houghton, Bowry, Pye 2, Young; Head Coach: Angela Winstanley-Smith
United States: Longan – Musselmann 4, Seidemann, Fattal 2, Steffens 5, Neushul Kiley 2, Fischer Makenzie 2; Subs: Stone, Hauschild 1, Raney 2, Fischer Aria 2, Neushul Jamie 1, Williams 1; Head Coach: Adam Krikorian
In the first quarter, the American national team managed to dominate the match through their strength, although the kiwis have shown us a heroic fight. By the end of the first quarter, the score was 2-6. In the rest of the game the American national team increased their lead steadily. The match was won by the United States. The team finished first in Group B.
W18 Group C
Netherlands–Hungary 10–8 (2–2, 1–1, 2–4, 3–3)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Severo (ITA), Rotsart (USA)
Netherlands: Willemsz - Smit 4, D. Genee, van der Sloot 3, Stomphorst, Sevenich, Megens 1. Substitutes: Aarts, A. Genee, Nijhuis, Koolhaas, Klaassen, Joustra. Head coach: Arno Havenga
Hungary: Gangl - Antal, Szűcs 2, Keszthelyi 2, Bujka 1, Csabai, Szilágyi. Substitutes: Czigány 2, Gurisatti 2, Takács, Illés 1, Tóth, Kasó. Head coach: Bíró Attila
The Hungarian and Dutch national team jumped in the pool to get the first place in the group, and the first quarter had a tight battle with a score of 2-2. The Hungarian fans felt that the team need the support, so they support loudly in the Alfréd Swimming Pool in Margitsziget, and the loud buzz resulted in Bujka Barbara’ goal in the second act, Hungary led for the first time in the match. However, the silver medalists - the Netherlands - were punished by penalties, and the sequel was very exciting.
In the third quarter of the championship, the Hungarian team played very well, and had three more goals besides Dóra Czigány’s amazing strike, while Arno Havenga was only twice successful, with the result of a 7-5 Hungarian lead. In the fourth game, three Hungarians received three Dutch answers, the match was won by 10-8 by the Hungarian national team, making it a team leader group and getting into the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
W24 Group B
South Africa-Spain 3-17 (1-4, 0-6, 1-2, 1-5)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Diana Dutilh-Dumas (NED), Viktor Salnichenko (KAZ)
South Africa: Nixon – Penney 1, Paley, Schooling, Hallendorf, Barret 1, White. Subs: Thomas, Faulman, Wessels, Keeny, Smit 1, Manson. Head coach: Samuel Gareth
Spain: Esther Ramos– Espar Llaquet Anna 1, Ortiz Munoz 2, Ortiz Reyes, Espar Llaquet Clara 1, Pena Carrasco 2, Leiton Arrones 4. Subs: Bach Pascual, Lloret Gomez, Forca Ariza 5, Crespi Barriga 1, Gual Rovirosa 1, Domene Perez. Head coach: Miguel Oca Gaia
There was no question: Spain won the game easily and reached the next round on the second place. For the quarterfinal Iberians will face off China.
Rankings
Group A
1. Italy 6
2. Canada 4
3. China 2
4. Brazil 0
Group B
1. United States 6
2. Spain 4
3. New Zealand 2
4. South Africa 0
Group C
1. Hungary 6
2. Netherlands 4
3. France 2
4. Japan 0
Group D
1. Greece 4
2. Australia 4
3. Russia 4
4. Kazakhstan 0
Eliminatory programme
22 July
13th-16th semifinals:
10:30 Brazil-South Africa
12:00 Japan-Kazakhstan
Round of 16:
17:30 Canada-New Zealand
19:00 China-Spain
20:30 Netherlands-Russia
22:00 France-Australia