Spain begins title defence with victory over Brazil

In Group A, Greece built a 7-4 winning margin by halftime in defeating Netherlands 14-11 and Spain turned over Brazil 20-5. In Group B, USA toppled Israel 21-7 and Italy required a shootout to beat Hungary 14-13 after the match was tied at 10-10.

In Group C, Portugal converted an opening 4-1 quarter into a 13-7 margin over South Africa. In Group D, France pummelled newcomer Chile 27-2. In Group E, Japan had the better of Croatia 16-11 and Australia claimed the first Group F victory, downing Kazakhstan 17-2.

Match Reports

Group A

NETHERLANDS 11 GREECE 14

Greece shot to 3-1 and then had a 3-2 lead by the first buzzer and 7-4 by the second. The margin was 12-8 at the final break and went to 14-9 before a double Dutch effort reduced the margin to three in the final three minutes.

Match Heroes:
Stefania Santa scored five goals and was particularly dangerous in the deep-left pocket while also scoring on counter and from the penalty line. Dutch senior world champion Noa de Vries scored four from her centre-forward position.

Turning Point:
Greece going from 3-3 two minutes into the second quarter to 7-4 at halftime and then maintaining that advantage.

Bottom Line:
Greece looked the better team through with some excellent baulking and power shots with plenty of confidence on open attack. With de Vries controlling two metres, the Dutch had plenty of chances.

SPAIN 20 BRAZIL 5

Spain continued its reign with an easy outing against Brazil, going 7-0 at the first break and 13-1 by halftime. It was a relatively sedate third period at 3-2 as the Brazilians strung together some excellent attacks, in fact, going from 15-1 to 16-5 in five and a half minutes over the final break. Spain blasted in the last four goals with Olympian Elena Ruiz netting two to go with the pair in the first quarter.

Match Heroes:
Ruiz, Ana Marcos and Nona Perez all scored four and Daniela Moreno three. Karen Silva scored two to start the final-quarter scoring and lifting Brazil to five goals.

Turning Point:
The opening quarter.

Bottom Line:
Spain is out to retain its title. Simple as that.

Group B

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 21 ISRAEL 7

Senior internationals Jenna Flynn (six goals) and Emily Ausmus (four) relished the junior environment as USA went 4-2, 5-0, 5-2 and 7-3 against Israel, a team that fronted with a handful of players who attended the Fukuoka World Aquatics Championships in July.

Match Heroes:
The absolute hero was USA goalkeeper Christine Carpenter (pictured) with an incredible number of saves in the early stages, which set the tone for the match. She was adjudged best in pool. Flynn and Ausmus. Tahel Levi and Dar Menakerman, also in Fukuoka, scored twice for Israel.

Turning Point:
Shaking off Israel at 3-2 and shooting to 13-2, keeping Israel scoreless for nearly 15 minutes.

Bottom Line:
USA knows what is like to win this tournament and the team here is quite capable of doing that. Israel will gel better with upcoming matches.

ITALY 14 HUNGARY 13 in penalty shootout (FT: 10-10. Pens: 4-3)

Hungary will rue dropping this match against the traditional rival. Hungary started strongly with the first two goals, held the 2-1 quarter-time lead, boosted the margin to 5-3 at halftime and had a happy 6-4 advantage before Italy levelled at six and seven minutes later and sent in a go-ahead goal through Aurora Longo inside the final two minutes of the third quarter. The final period was catch-up play with Italy making the play and Hungary responding three times, the 10-10 leveller coming from senior international Kata Hajdu at 1:40 on extra-man attack. This sent the match to a shootout, which Italy won 4-3. Ironically, it was Hajdu who missed the chance to go to sudden death when she struck the post.

Match Heroes:
Setterosa stars Dafne Bettini and Sofia Giustini were Italy’s heroes with Bettini scoring four goals and Giustini three.

Turning Point:
Italy’s 5-2 third period that provided the fulcrum for victory.

Bottom Line:
Italy would be happy with two points, although three would have been better. Hungary’s one point might come in handy as the rounds progress.

Group C

SOUTH AFRICA 7 PORTUGAL 13

Portugal made a breakthrough at this level with a first victory in three appearances. And it was done with a thoroughly good effort that started with a 4-1 quarter and sent the crowd roaring as 6-1 lit up their faces. The 7-3 halftime advantage became 11-5 and 11-7 as South Africa found form. However, Portugal closed the match in style with the last two goals and give heart for the rest of the competition.

Match Heroes:
Carolina Magano took out the top award with her three goals in the first 10 and Maria-Silvia Martins finished as the top scorer with four, including two penalty strikes and a brilliant lob.

Turning Point:
That 6-1 lead was hard to beat. South Africa would have been happy with the opening goal on extra-man attack.

Bottom Line:
Portugal will use this victory for extra motivation while South Africa has the ability to bounce back, but probably more so in the second half of the championship.

Group D

FRANCE  27 CHILE 2

France proved a revelation as it steamrolled Chile. The victory should have been that ahigh as France had the services or a bevy of Olympic hopefuls who performed with distinction at the recent world championships in Fukuoka. France shot to 7-0 and had a 9-1 margin at the first break, improving it to 15-1 by halftime. Five goals and a missed penalty chance had the score at 20-1 by the third buzzer, surfing hope with a 6-1 final quarter. Chile had no answer to the powerful French, who created so much havoc at the two-metre line.

Match Heroes:
Fukuoka veterans Juliette Dhalluin and Ema Vernoux grabbed six goals each and Camelia Bouloukbachi four to dominate the scoreboard.

Turning Point:
The 9-1 opening quarter says it all.

Bottom Line:
France produced some fine results in Fukuoka and those youngsters will make waves here as the tournament evolves. Chile now knows what this level is all about.

Group E

CROATIA 11 JAPAN 16

Japan had to chase Croatia to the quarter-time break at 3-3 and came back from two down to level at five by halftime. Japan shot out to 7-5 only from Croatia to level at 7-7 before three Japanese goals had the final rest at 7-4, favouring Japan. Croatia was not finished and scored the first two of the final period, but Japan scored another three straight, allowed one goal in and scored another triple for 16-10. Croatia had the last say when smacking in a rebound four seconds from time.

Match Heroes:
Jelena Butic topped the scoring with four goals for Croatia and Iva Rozic grabbed three. For the victorious Japanese, Suzuni Kobayashi and Kanon Sugimoto netted three apiece.

Turning Point:
The three goals late in the third period that gave Japan an edge.

Bottom Line:
Japan has speed and skills aplenty and just needs time together to become more cohesive. Croatia has the players to win matches in Coimbra.

Group F

AUSTRALIA 17 KAZAKHSTAN 2

Australia proved it should not be in the lower groups as one of the most successful nations. However, there is plenty of time to progress up the ranks and today’s showing proved that it is possible.Australia kept Kazakhstan scoreless in the first half, moving from a tentative 2-0 at the first break to 6-0 at halftime and then 12-1 by the final break. The 5-1 last period was proof of its power.

Match Heroes:
Layla Smith and Emma Putt, sank three goals each for Australia. Kazakhstan’s first goal came from a Darya Pochinok nine-metre missile.

Turning Point:
Closing out the first half.

Bottom line:
Australia has only one player with senior experience in Serena Green, so its form will be closely watched.

Progress Points

Group A: Spain 3, Greece 3, Netherlands 0, Brazil 0.
Group B: United States of America 3, Italy 2, Hungary 1, Israel 0.
Group C: Portugal 3, South Africa 0, New Zealand.
Group D: France 3, Chile 0, Canada.
Group E: Japan 3, Croatia 0.
Group F: Australia 3, Kazakhstan 0, India.

Saturday Schedule

Match 10, 10:30, Canada v Chile
Match 11, 12:00, India v Kazakhstan
Match 12, 13:30, United States of America v Italy
Match 13, 15:30, Netherlands v Spain
Match 14, 17:00, Israel v Hungary
Match 15, 18:30, Greece v Brazil
Match 16, 20:00, New Zealand v Portugal