Hungary, Spain, USA and Netherlands into World Cup semifinals

Match Reports

Quarterfinals

HUNGARY 20 GREECE 13

What a way to start a tournament with 33 goals! Hungary so dominated the match, considering the last time they met it was a 14-12 encounter. Hungary started so well, going to 2-0 and then 5-1 and closing the frenetic period 6-2. Greece settled in the second quarter and turned the four-goal deficit into two goals at 7-5. Just when it seemed Greece was back in the match, Hungary went on the rampage with five goals — including captain Rita Keszthelyi’s second and third — only to give up an extra-man goal for the 12-6 halftime advantage.

The third period was relatively slower with Keszthelyi netting two more and Greece responding with a pair to Vasiliki Plevritou. Geraldine Mahieu scored off a quick cross pass at centre forward with a second on the clock for 15-8. The final quarter was even, but still at the breath-taking space with five each. Hungary stretched the margin out to 17-8; Greece brought it to 18-11 and, after a period of no goals, the teams traded a pair in the final two minutes.

Match heroes:
Keszthelyi, unsurprisingly, was named best in pool with her six goals from eight attempts. Dora Leimeter and Krisztina Garda netted three apiece. On the other side of the ledger, Eleftheria Plevritou and sister Vasiliki Plevritou scored three each as did Athina Giannopoulou.

Turning point:
The 5-1 start proved the killer for Greece. That and the five unanswered goals in the latter part of the second quarter.

Stats don’t lie:
When you score eight from 10 on extra-man attack, you have to be the top team. Hungary also defended five from eight, which also added to the value of the victory. Both teams converted a penalty goal and on total shots, Greece led 29-27.

Bottom line:
Hungary pulled out all the stops and even had star centre forward Rebecca Parkes on the sidelines, such is the strength of the line-up. Greece needs to look at its defence and how it can improve the man-up play. Hungary will probably not wanted to have to face USA in the semifinals, but it is equal to the task.

What They Said
Attila Biro (HUN) — Head Coach

What changed between the 14-12 win against Greece in April and the game today?
“The start of the game was the key. The last time in April was the first game of the new rules for us and we didn’t have a preparation game before, so I asked my team before the start of this game that we had to be much better and much more concentrated. That was 100 per cent better because we started, I don’t know, 8-2 or something like that, so that was very, very good start. We were very concentrated on defence and in attack so almost all my players scored a goal. I couldn’t ask more and it was a perfect start of the tournament and I can’t ask for more.”

Rita Keszthely (HUN) — Captain

Did the Greek defenders do anything differently than last time you played in April (Hungary won 14-12)
“From the beginning, we started the game very well and I think this gave the game all the feeling when you start confidently and you are building the game and I think our man-up was very good. From the first second, we were very aggressive, confident, and wanted this more.”

What lets you take the defensive risks that enable you to create so many scoring opportunities?
“You read the game and you have to believe in your gut. You are feeling that this can be a good option to steal the ball and it’s also very important that your team-mate is hearing you. I told Kamilla (Farago) that I was coming and said: ‘Leave it, leave it, leave it’ and she let it go and that’s how I could steal the ball (and then score).”

Alexia Kammenou (GRE) — Head Coach

What adjustments did you try and make in the match to come back from that early deficit?
“Defence. We had to be stronger on the defence. We changed two or three different defences and I think finally the pressing was better than the others, but it was too late. I didn’t expect to play such a bad beginning especially because we are a defensive team and when a defensive team is allowing 20 goals, this means that I am responsible for the defence and we didn’t play it properly.
“From the other side, we know that Hungary is a very offensive team with a very great ability on the offence, so if you don’t stop their offence, they’re a team that can really kill you. So, this happened and there are no excuses. We’re tired, OK, but there are no excuses. We have to forget that and move on. Twenty goals is too much for this level, for any team, not just Greece.”

Did Hungary do anything today that you weren’t expecting?
“No. We were expecting that, but it wasn’t a tactics game. It was easy to see that one team had the confidence to shoot from anywhere and play one on one much stronger. My team was not fighting as much as we could and we allowed many shots from the field that were easy for the Hungarians. They have very good shooters, so there’s no excuse. Defence at this level can’t allow 20 goals.”

Eleni Xenaki (GRE) — Centre Forward

Did Hungary’s defence do anything different today against you guys?
“No, they didn’t do anything we didn’t expect. They played tough like Hungary always does, but we didn’t expect that nothing would work for us on offence.”

What could you have changed in this match to help in this match and the rest of the tournament?
“I think most of all we need to improve our confidence and concentration in the game because we never changed how we played. We are not a team that will have any excuses for a really bad game and we must be more energetic, more concentrated, more everything in the next game.”

SPAIN 12 ITALY 5

Spain built victory on defence, especially when it came to the man-down situation. Spain has the damaging shooters all around the pool and proved particularly dangerous on the six-on-five situations. Spain scored both opening goals as Italy reset the play and levelled late in the period for the quarter-time score. Spain’s three goals to begin the second quarter were critical in the final result, giving the valuable impetus that became 6-4 at halftime after Italy pulled it back to 5-4. The third period was all about Spain, racing to 8-4 and 10-5 by the last break. A 2-0 final quarter said it all.

That third period dominated by Spain closed with two spectacular Paula Leiton goals from the identical position on the right post, firstly accepting an odd-angle pass to shovel the ball in and then to snap in a buzzer-beating score with the ball coming from the conventional deep-right-catch position.

The result was a big change from the World Cup qualifiers some months ago when Spain lost to Italy 13-9.

Match heroes:
Elena Ruiz with her four goals and Martina Terre in goal with her five saves were standouts in a standout team that had seven goal-scorers. Sofia Giustini netted twice for Italy with goalkeeper Caterina Banchelli dragging down seven balls.

Turning points:
The jump to 5-2 and the 4-1 third period that had the match sewn up before the final quarter.

Stats don’t lie:
Victory came from the extra situations where Spain fired in five from nine and defended seven from 10. It took 33 shots to 24 and sent in two penalty goals to none. Damning statistics indeed.

Bottom line:
Spain is getting its act together in time for the World Aquatics Championships and this opening match proves that it can make the final and even more. Italy will need to address its performance on the extra-man plays.

What They Said 

Miguel Oca (ESP) — Head Coach

What changed between the World Cup qualifiers when you lost to Italy 13-9?
“We are two teams at a very similar level and nobody knows what’s going to happen during the games between us. Today we defended very well and were able to find the back of the Italian goal and that’s it. Next game between us will be completely different.”

Did you make any specific defensive changes after giving up two goals in the first quarter?
“No, more or less we were using the same tactics, but Martina (Terre) had a very good performance today, allowing us to hold them to only five goals, which is very good for our game.”

What was the most important part of your game today besides defence?
“The most important part was the third quarter because we kept our strength in the defence, but we were able to score two or three goals and create the lead we ended with.”

Martina Terre (ESP) – Goalkeeper and Player of the Match

Did you make any adjustments during the game after giving up two goals in the first quarter, but held them to a total of five?
“It’s normal to give up a lot of goals, but I have a great team on defence with their field blocks and also myself, it was good to improve on defence. I think we won the game on defence and that’s what we are, a defensive team, which lets us be a complete team.”

What changed between the World Cup qualifiers when you lost to Italy 13-9?
“As I said before, Italy is a very strong team and well-taught on how to play the game, but today we were so focused on the game. The last time we played, it was a game of counter-attacks and things like that, which made it hard to control their scoring. If we are strong in defence and stop their counter-attack, it is easier for us to control the game like we did today.”

Carlo Silipo (ITA) — Head Coach

Did Spain do anything today you weren’t prepared for after your previous World Cup match-up?
“I think that Spain is a great team with good tactics and also with individual players in every part of the field from the centre back to defenders to shooters, so it is very difficult to play against them. You have to be at 100 per cent to play with them and we were not at 100 per cent. We have been working a lot at the pool and gym in preparation for Fukuoka and I hope that in Fukuoka we can play better than today.”

Since you are looking forward to Fukuoka, what can you learn from this game to prepare for that tournament?
“Our defence and attack wasn’t very wrong, but we were shooting without power or quality. On defence, we were moving very slowly and not matching the body position or height of the offence, so we must work on those situations. However, I am very quiet because I know my team and I think that in Fukuoka we will see a better version of us.”

Roberta Bianconi (ITA) — Goal Scorer

What was the biggest difference over the course of the match as your team struggled offensively?
“I think that the biggest difference was our attitude. When the game started, we were fighters and working much harder. At the end of the game, we were down in spirit because of many mistakes we made during the game. We were caught in that cycle and kept worrying about mistakes so we did not play our best.”

What did you do well today that you can use for the rest of the tournament and Fukuoka?
“We started very well in the first quarter by keeping the game even and fighting very hard on defence. If we can play like that for an entire game, we are a much better team.”

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 16 ISRAEL 6

The host nation did not disappoint its home crowd with an excellent start to the weekend. The 10-goal difference does not mean USA will win the tournament as head coach Adam Krikorian conceded it will be tough from here to retain the crown. It was the first time these two nations have met and the first time that Israel has contested an event of this magnitude. It will be tremendous preparation for the World Aquatics Championships in Japan next month where the Israelis will be competing, also for the first time.

While USA scored on the first attack, it was more than four minutes later before it sorted out how Israel plays and then sent in a further four goals before the break. It became 6-0 with Israeli captain Shunit Strugo having the honour of the first Israeli goal. Ryann Neushul  and Kaleigh Gilchrist scored their second goals for 9-1 and then Israel replied twice within a minute through Tahal Levi on extra-man attack and Alma Yaacobi from the left.

USA kept Israel scoreless in the third period, scoring just the three goals and having a penalty attempt hit the upright. To Israel’s credit it led the final period 3-2 at 14-6 with Jenna Flynn netting her second consecutive goal and third for the match and youngster Emily Ausmus closing the scoring at 1:44.

Match heroes:
Neushul claimed the match award and Flynn equalled her for three goals as nine on the USA roster made the sheet. Maria Bogachenko scored twice in the final quarter for Israel.

Turning point:
The last three and a half minutes of the first quarter that blew the match apart after a close first four minutes.

Stats don’t lie:
USA had 29 shots to 22, converted five from seven on extra-man attack to Israel’s two from five. USA went one from two on penalty shots.

Bottom line:
It was always going to be a tough battle for Israel but, to its credit, the final quarter showed what it is capable of and shows the spirit that will make it an excellent competitor this year and have another country at the high altar of women’s water polo. USA will use the match to assess what it needs to do against Hungary on Saturday in the semifinals. Israel will tackle Greece in the classification 5-8 semifinals in what will be another major hurdle.

What They Said
Adam Krikorian (USA) — Head Coach

What do you take away from a big win like today in terms of the growth of your team?
“We have so many new players that we’re trying to integrate into this team and we have some players out there who are playing together for the first time ever. Compared to some of the European teams, they have a lot more continuity, which is something we want to achieve in this team. Every match offers the opportunity to increase the learning curve of the technical movements and communication with one another, especially when you’re playing with and against the best players in the world.”

How do you think today served as an indicator of the team’s goals?
“There were some good moments that we can point out and build confidence from, but there were equally as many rough moments that serve as a reminder of how far we have to go as a team. It’s one thing doing it in practice, but it’s another to do it when the lights are on in an official game. There were some mistakes I haven’t seen in practice, but this is why we play these games and take it day by day to learn from what we struggled with against Israel.”

Ryann Neushul (USA) —Player of the Match (Three goals)

What were your thoughts coming out of that match?
“I think coming out of that game just being ready for everything is really important. Israel had some nice shots there that kind of caught us by surprise and the other teams here have some amazing shooters that we can’t get caught off guard with. On defence, we need to be prepared for anything to happen and Israel taught us that you need to play a full possession of defence, because if you lapse at the end, you’re going to give up a goal.”

What did you do well today to take into tomorrow?
“I think we had great team play and great set-ups. We have amazing gold medallists on this team who set up a lot of younger players like myself and their voice and experience in the water really helps this team do what it does. Any stat that someone’s getting has another amazing player behind her who helped create that opportunity, which really shows the cohesiveness we had today.”

Dimitros Mavrotas (ISR) — Head Coach

Tell us about the immense excitement you and your team showed today?
“For us, even to be here is a very big honour and we have to celebrate that we are here. A few years ago, we didn’t even have the thought about playing against the reigning Olympic gold medallist. To play with them and even to score one goal is a very big thing for us, so yes, after each goal we celebrated because we need to have the mindset of enjoying the match. Even though we lost with a 10-goal difference, we enjoyed the match because we got the opportunity to play today.”

How do you plan to build on today’s energy?
“To tell you the truth, this competition is the kind of opportunity to make the best preparations for the World Championships. We knew from before the beginning that we would have very difficult competition in the first match of the tournament. However, our target was to close the gap between the top teams and ultimately beat New Zealand, because I believe we will most likely play for seventh against them.”

Hila Futorian (ISR) — One Goal

What was it like getting to play against USA?
“I think it felt amazing. It’s the first time we played USA in the history of Israel and the first time playing in the World Cup, so we were all really excited and wanted to perform the best we could. We had good energy even though we were behind the whole match because we were motivated to be better in any moment.”

What’s the best thing your team did today and want to build on?
“I think it was our mentality in playing teams that are tougher than us. The mentality that we had was not to let these better teams intimidate us and instead focus on improving us. It doesn’t matter who your opponent, you play to the best of your ability and that defines our team.

NEW ZEALAND 5 NETHERLANDS 15

Imagine a match where the winning team scores all its goals on action and the other team only converts one. This was a fast-flowing encounter in the second half in which action was the nature of the match and accuracy in shooting was paramount. It is not often that only one extra-man goal is scored in an hour’s struggle.

The first quarter was a dour tussle and the Dutch opened and closed the scoring at 2-1. It was 3-2 midway through the second quarter before Netherlands unleashed three goals to turn at 6-2. There were so many opportunities for both teams with New Zealand’s finishing at a lower level. While it could make chances, it speared the ball wide or over the top.

The third period was controlled by the Dutch, with several counter-attack scores and a spectacular Kitty Joustra turning-and-sweeping centre-forward shot. New Zealand was kept scoreless for  nearly 12 minutes at this stage. In the final period, Emmerson Houghton broke the 15-minute drought at 13-3 and scored the last goal of the match for her third and 15-5. It was Netherlands at its best in the second quarter, once the rust had been flaked off.

Match heroes:
Brigitte Sleeking and Simone van de Kraats scored three each as nine players scored goals for the Dutch. Houghton’s three were the shining light for the Kiwis and Jessica Milicich made eight saves in goal.

Turning point:
The last three goals in the second quarter that shook Netherlands out of its malaise.

Stats don’t lie:
Netherlands had the better of the shooting with 31 to 22 while it could not get past New Zealand’s defence on extra-man attack, missing all four chances. The Kiwis managed one from five and neither team gave up a penalty foul.

Bottom line:
Netherlands is a worthy semifinal opponent — taking on Spain — and New Zealand showed what it can do against a top-tier team, if only its shots were on target. Now it must face Italy in the classification 5-8 semifinals on Saturday.

What They Said

Evangelos Doudesis (NED) — Head Coach

What did you say to your players after the first quarter?
“I told them that we needed to control the pace of the match, so avoid making personal mistakes, focus on the fundamentals of the game, and speed up the pace by getting out in the counter-attack. We used our speed and made the match much more simple than how it started.”

What are the things you did well today?
“We were stable in our six-v-six defence and New Zealand was a good test for us. We worked our transition, zone, and pressed well today, which will help us deal with any of the teams we play. I have to admit that New Zealand surprised us because they were very good and conscious about what they were doing and I have a lot of respect for them.”

Brigitte Sleeking (NED) — Player of the Match (Three goals)

What is the one thing you and your team did well today?
“As you might have seen in the beginning, we were not concentrated or ready for the match. However, I think we did well at the end of the match by continuing to work hard and try to get the opportunities we wanted. It’s a good thing that we kept going and got out of that negative cycle, instead of thinking today isn’t our day and can carry on tomorrow.”

Was there a specific moment you remember that turned the match around after the very close first quarter?
“We trusted in each other and knew that we were much better than how we were playing, so we started to play more together. This allowed us to turn the match around, especially in the offence because we started making our shots and building confidence.”

Angie Winstanley-Smith (NZL) — Head Coach

Your team played a spectacular first period that ended 2-1. What made you so successful during that period?
“I think we were quite active in our zone defence, so we were putting more pressure on their shooters. As well, we had good blocking lines that were forcing the ball to the post or our goalie. Just being able to put pressure on their shooters made all the difference in that quarter and the last one as well (3-3 4th quarter).”

What can you take away from those three quarters (exempting the 6-0 third quarter)?
“I think for me, these girls play around the world and have only been back in New Zealand for about 10 days before the tournament. I think for us, the Netherlands are a world-class team and one of the favourites here, no doubt, so our performance today is an indicator of where we are at for me. We have a massive summer/winter (hemispheres) and this match was really key for me to see what to focus on leading into the future.”

“Against the Italians, I think it’ll be a completely different match because there will be more movement and I think we can match them physically a little bit better, especially on the two-metre line. I think we can draw a zone quite early, which gives us a little less heat on the counter and pressing. They’re a world-class team; they’re difficult to beat, and you can see them beating some top nations ,so it’s gonna be good fun and a big challenge.”

Emily Nicholson (NZL) — Driver

How do you feel you your team performed today?
“I think despite the score we really gave it our all. Overall, we had a really cohesive defence when you take out the third quarter, but this is just the starting game for us. We are using this tournament to build into World Championships and the next couple of months. We definitely learned a lot from this competition as it gave us several good takeaways for ourselves.

What was the most impactful thing you learned today?
“Our defence needs to be much more consistent and cohesive to stop out and hit their shooters. Hopefully, we will be able to execute and finish our opportunities better because we were able to create a lot of scoring chances today, but couldn’t quite finish as much as we would have liked.”

)

Saturday Schedule

Match 5, 13:00, New Zealand v Italy

Match 6, 15:00, Israel v Greece

Match 7, 17:00, United States of America v Hungary

Match 8, 19:00, Netherlands v Spain

Sunday Schedule

Match 9, 13:00, Loser 5 v Loser 6

Match 10, 15:00, Winner 5 v Winner 6

Match 11, 17:00, Loser 7 v Loser 8

Match 12, 19:00, Winner 7 v Winner 8