Greece collects third victory as final berth looms

GREECE 17 GEORGIA 7
Greece made the sure step of downing fifth-ranked Georgia, built on an 11-3 lead early in the third quarter and an unparalleled extra-man count. Greece went from 2-2 in the opening quarter to 4-2 at the first break and 9-3 by halftime. It was 12-5 at the final break and 14-5 soon after as Georgia could not match the devastating Greek attack, especially when a man up.

Match heroes
Dimitrios Skoumpakis led the team with three goals as nine other team-mates scored. It was truly a team effort and both goalkeepers — Emmanouill Zerdevas and Panagiotis Tzortzatos — shared in the 11 saves.

Turning point
An 11-3 lead is terminal in anyone’s book.

Stats don’t lie
There were 31 Greek shots to 29; a staggering 10 from 11 on extra-man attack for Greece compared to three from nine by Georgia; just the one penalty goal to Georgia; 12 Georgian turnovers to seven and that better save count.

Bottom line
With a near-perfect extra-man attack and some beautiful goals — Emmanouil Solonakis’ snap goal on extra for 4-2 and Alexandros Papanastasiou’s backhand from an impossible angle deep left —Greece displayed all its skills and deserves to be in the finals and make a podium finish.

Spain closes account with group victory

AUSTRALIA 8 SPAIN 18
Spain finished with an unassailable 13 points from its five matches and now can relax as other teams battle for the right to join it at the World Aquatics World Cup finals in Los Angeles in June-July. The writing was on the wall for the winless Aussie Sharks from early on as Spain went 2-0 and then 3-1 by the first break, 7-3 up at halftime and 12-6 at the final break. A flurry of goals and a barrage of penalty shots in the final quarter sealed the match. Spain scored all four penalty attempts after missing one two seconds from the third-quarter buzzer.

Match heroes
Alberto Munarriz took out the match award with five goals — two from the penalty line and another two on extra-man attack. Eight team-mates scored as well. Coc-captain Nathan Power was Australia’s only double scorer with his brace straddling the final break.  

Turning point
From 2-1 to 6-2 was the important point and the telling moments came with four unanswered goals from 8-5 to 12-5 in the third quarter.

Stats don’t lie
Perhaps they do lie when it comes to total shots. The Aussie Sharks hammered 29 shots at the goal for 28 per cent compared to Spain’s parsimonious 18 shots for 67 per cent. Converting six from eight penalty shots while not giving up one was a critical talking point after the match. Australia converted four from nine on extra-man attack and Spain six from seven. Spain also made 14 saves to two. Fascinating statistics that tell why the world champion is just that.

Bottom line
Spain gave a masterclass as the statistics reveal. The older, more experienced Spaniards who play in regular European competition, showed how to win matches, especially in a year where stamina and excellence will be rewarded, such is the long, busy programme. Australia bows out of the competition and must regroup ahead of the World Aquatics World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan this July-August.

Group B points:

Spain 13, Greece 9, Serbia 8, Montenegro 6, Georgia 3, Australia 0.