Five-goal Spanish lead proves hurdle too high for Montenegro

MONTENEGRO 6 SPAIN 10
With a 5-0 head start, Spain was always in the box seat. From 1:52 in the second quarter, Montenegro was the slightly better team, but the damage had already been done. Spain led by a single goal in the first period, Blai Mallarach scoring at 1:28 on extra-man attack. Spain raced to 5-0 and closed the half at 6-2. Montenegro won the third period in which another minute was played before a previous shot at goal was awarded through VAR to Dusan Banicevic. Roger Tahull impressed with his second goal of the period for the 8-5 lead at the final break. Neither side could gain supremacy in the final eight minutes and the score was a goal apiece in a match where 10 of the goals came from extra-man plays.

Match heroes
Eduardo Lorria was awarded best in pool for his efforts in the Spanish goal. Towering centre forward Tahull was the highest goal-scorer with three from close in and Montenegro’s best was Kanstantsin Averka with Montenegro’s first and fifth scores.

Turning point
The 4-0 burst in the second quarter that set Spain up for the win. Montenegro’s 3-1 charge in the third was excellent, but far from what was needed.

Stats don’t lie
Spain was more efficient on extra-man attack with five from nine, but Montenegro also scored five from 11. Spain turned over three more than Montenegro (13-10) and the saves favoured Montenegro (13-9). Spain shot 30 to Montenegro’s 28.

Bottom line
Spain is still riding high from an excellent 2022 that included winning the World Championships and collecting bronze at the Europeans. Montenegro is rebuilding and this year will prove pivotal ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Georgia raid steals victory from Aussie Sharks

GEORGIA 13 AUSTRALIA 12
Converting extra-man attack is where matches are won and lost and Georgia, for so long trailing Australia, made good in the critical extra statistic with nine from 12 (75 per cent) compared to the Aussie Sharks’ four from 12 (33 per cent). From 1-0 down, Australia then led the match 2-1 at the quarter and 4-3 at halftime, stretching out to 6-4 before Georgia first hit parity at six, 5:15 into the third quarter. Australia pushed out to 7-6 and 8-7 when three goals inside two minutes had George sitting pretty at 10-8 by the final break. Australia redressed the imbalance with three goals that had Australia in front again. Dusan Vasic drew level at 11-11 when Aussie co-captain Nathan Power was thrown out on his third major foul. Co-captain Blake Edwards, who began the previous assault, scored his second for 12-11 at 1:31 on extra. Valiko Dadvani nailed his first goal of the tournament on extra off the left-post position at 0:59 for the equaliser. Charlie Negus sent his shot into the side netting, gained an ejection foul and Georgia turned, raced forward and Nika Shushiashvili delivered for Georgia with 18 seconds left on the clock. The Sharks tried to equalise with Luke Pavillard’s shot going wide. Georgia had gained an important victory.

Match heroes
Luke Pavillard may have been on the losing side, but he was the undoubted star with five goals, coming from eight shots at that stage. He scored Australia’s first three goals, the 11th and then a penalty for the 11-10 go-ahead strike. Andrew Ford was also to the fore with three powerful shots on action from the top left. Eight Georgians scored with Marko Jelaca scoring his third on the 9-8 first-time lead for his country.  

Turning point
So many. Going 4-1 ahead was marvellous work for the Sharks. Recovering for 6-6 was brilliant Georgian stickability. Coming from 8-7 down to 10-8 at the final break was another great Georgian burst. Three goals to Australia for the 11-10 advantage and then pulling out to 12-11. However, the biggest turning point was the final minute when Dadvani and Shushiashvili plundered goals and snatch the victory.

Stats don’t lie
As stated earlier, the extra-man count was telling. Georgia shot four goals less but had a 44-35 percentage advantage. Georgia turned 11 balls over to Australia’s nine and the goalkeeper saves were 8-9.

Bottom line
Georgia is a team on the rise and to pick off Australia, who led five times, was just remarkable. Australia impressed in many situations, except extra-man attack, so should be able to come back a better team after a lay day and the threat of Greece, who are both sitting at the bottom of the table.

Group B points:

Spain 6, Montenegro 3, Serbia 3, Georgia 3, Australia 0, Greece 0.