Platinum Classification 1-2:

HUNGARY 10 GREECE 6
Hungary was all class and to win a gold-medal final by four goals proved how dominant it was. There was more precision and control of the attack, making fewer mistakes than Greece. Both teams were untouchable during the week, although they had to survive close tussles in the semifinals, such was the tightness of the leading teams. The 4-0 start proved valuable and set the tone for the encounter. Hungary was playing from a position of strength while Greece had the better of the second quarter, but could not get closer than two. It closed to one at the start of the third with two Hungarian goals pushing that margin to three. Hungary shut Greece out of the final quarter as it did not want its celebrations to be spoilt. It was a class action between two great teams with many players gaining valuable international experience early in their lives.

Match heroes
Panna Tiba made her mark with four goals, scoring the third and fourth, sending in a seven-metre bomb in the third for 7-5 and converting a penalty for 9-6 in the final quarter. Ariadni Karempetsou, awarded the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, netted three with a deep-left lob to open Greece’s scoring six seconds from the quarter-time siren; a penalty in the third quarter to draw within one and a buzzer-beater 10m lob for 8-6.

Turning Point
The opening 4-0 surge that gave Hungarian the power and mental strength to ride the wave to victory.

Stats don’t lie
Greece had the benefit of 11 major fouls against Hungary, but could only convert one and had the misfortune to have a penalty blocked when the score was 2-0. Hungary converted both penalty attempts and converted two of four on extra.

Bottom line
Hungary kept the clean sheet and showed better skills than the other teams. It seemed to be much neater and kept composure when the going was tough. Shot selection was huge and the ability to know just where to place the ball was exceptional.

Gold Classification 1-2:

Japan blitzes Italy with withering 6-1 opening quarter and 6-3 third period for 15-12 flourish
Karo Shironoshita and Shoka Fukuda — the tournament’s leading scorer — led the Japanese charge with four goals each while Bianca Rosta fought hard to keep her team in the loop with a magnificent six goals as Japan went into the final period 13-7 ahead and led 15-10 with four minutes remaining.

Silver Round Robin:

United States of America, with three close losses and a draw in the first four days, closed with three big wins to win the Silver division and claim ninth position ahead of Israel. USA closed its account with a 15-5 defeat of 11th-ranked Turkey.

Awards:

Most Valuable Player: Ariadni Karampetsou (GRE)
Best Goalkeeper: Luca Torma (HUN)
Highest Goal Scorer: Shoka Fukuda (JPN) 23.

Final Rankings:

1.Hungary
2. Greece
3. Spain
4. Australia
5. Japan
6. Italy
7. Croatia
8. Netherlands
9. United States of America
10. Israel
11. Turkey
12. South Africa
13. Switzerland

Results:

Platinum Classification 1-4:
Hungary 10 Greece 6 (4-1, 2-3, 2-2, 2-0).

Platinum Classification 3-4:
Spain 11 Australia 5 (1-0, 5-2, 3-1, 2-2).

Gold Classification 1-2:
Japan 15 Italy 12 (6-1, 1-3, 6-3, 2-5).

Gold Classification 3-4:
Netherlands 6 Croatia 8 (2-2, 2-3, 2-0, 0-3).

Silver Round Robin:
United States of America 15 Turkey 5 (3-1, 3-0, 5-1, 4-3), South Africa 9 Israel 13 (2-3, 2-2, 3-2, 2-6).