Greece finished top of the ladder with a third successive win — defeating South Africa 14-10 — and will go into Monday’s final the firm favourite when it plays Czech Republic. The Czechs easily downed Zimbabwe 13-3 in the other match for second rung on the ladder of the round-robin competition in Hurghada.
CZECH REPUBLIC 13 ZIMBABWE 3
Czech Republic swam away with this match. Zimbabwe tried to be smart on attack and left Czech players to shoot in the hope of getting fast ball at the other end. Too often, the Czechs were stranded in the open, free to receive clean ball and take clean shots.
The Czechs went 2-0 up and 2-1 at the quarter, enjoyed the second quarter to turn at 7-2 and made the final break at 10-3. A clean 3-0 final quarter sealed the result.
Match Difference Makers
Czechs Nikola Busauerova and Karolina Javurkova both netted four goals with Dayna Bond, so aggresssive with her many attempts, scored twice for Zimbabwe.
The Decider
The counter goal by Karolina Hlavata for 3-1 that opened up the second-quarter goal-fest.
Stats Critical
In a low-fouling match, Czech Republic converted two from six on extra-man attack and Zimbabwe one from two. Czech missed one of its two penalty attempts and Zimbabwe netted its one.
What Awaits The Teams?
Czech Republic earned another shot at Greece, this time in the final. Their last encounter was an 11-6 loss, so there is work to do. Zimbabwe will need to address its tactics ahead of a rematch with South Africa where it lost by only two goals on Saturday.
SOUTH AFRICA 10 GREECE 14
Greece made a 3-0 start that proved to be the difference in the match. It was a tight match thereafter with South Africa throwing everything it could against the Greeks who relied heavily on their power outside shooting.
In that 3-0 start was a failed penalty attempt by South Africa when Greek goalkeeper Lydia Mavrota was ejected — all penalty foulers must sit in the ejection box during the shot. Greece converted its penalty attempt to close the first quarter at 4-1.
A halfway shot from Greece started the second quarter, which ended at 7-4. It was 10-7 at the final break after a period that included a South African halfway shot and three missed penalty shots — two by Greece. The Greeks stretched the margin to five three times with South Africa closing the scoring with a counter-attack lob.
Match Difference Makers
Evdokia Tsimara was the star of the show with six Greek goals. Keira van de Loosdrecht and Kendell de Beer scored four each for South Africa.
The Decider
It has to be the 3-0 start.
Stats Critical
Greece converted five from nine on extra and South Africa three from seven. Both teams missed two of their three penalty attempts.
What Awaits The Teams?
Greece looks too strong in this competition and will be looking forward to the clash with Czech Republic for top spot — and ANOC World Beach Games qualification —in Hurghada while South Africa will be hoping for third place when it plays Zimbabwe.
Final Points
Greece 9, Czech Republic 6, South Africa 3, Zimbabwe 0.