The Netherlands needed a last-gasp goal from Bente Rogge to surpass Spain 8-7 in the European Championships women’s gold-medal final in Eindhoven, Netherlands this evening. And Greece gained the European Olympic Games qualification berth with a 7-6 victory over Italy in the bronze-medal match.
Big Achievers
In Fukuoka, Japan last year, Netherlands beat Spain in penalty shootout — 17-16 — and tonight it also could have been a shootout but for Bente Rogge converting an extra-man opportunity with six seconds remaining.
As in Fukuoka, Netherlands made most of the running despite the 2-0 early deficit that became 5-3 at halftime and 6-5 at the final break for Netherlands. Spain levelled twice in the final period with the score matched at 1:48 until Rogge converted the extra-man play after a timeout.
The ball hit the wood, came into contact with the back of the goalkeeper’s head and meandered over the line.
It was Netherlands’ record sixth European title — first since 2018 — and Spain, winner of the last two editions, has a second silver medal to go with three golds and one bronze. Dutch head coach Eve Doudesis (above) earned a smile.
There was just as much on the line in the bronze-medal final with the winner picking up the European Olympic berth as the Dutch and Spaniards had already qualified thanks to that final in Fukuoka.
Greece led 3-1, 4-1 and 5-2 at the breaks, watched as Italy drew to 5-4, 6-5 and 6-6 at 3:57. Nikoleta Eleftheriadou scored from the top at 3:30 for 7-6 — a score not to be adjusted despite both teams taking timeouts.
For Greece, it was a first bronze to go with four silvers. Italy was third in Split two years ago and did not add to its 10-medal tally that included five golds.
Midrange Magic
Hungary, undergoing some change or stability following the switch of coaches, faltered against Italy in the quarterfinals and was constricted to thumping Great Britain and France en route to fifth position. Hungarian players will be looking at themselves and can’t always rely on captain Rita Keszthelyi (above) to get them across the line. Her six-goal haul against France in the final-day encounter lifted her to equal top on the individual scoring ladder while team-mate Krisztina Garda nailed 16.
France, for its part, qualified for Doha behind Greece and ahead of Great Britain.
Great Britain’s 11-9 triumph for seventh place over Croatia heralds a new era for the island nation as it qualified for Doha and brings it well and truly into the international picture. Great Britain won its group, beat Israel and then had a torrid time against Netherlands and Hungary and then gained its fifth win from seven matches to seal the final qualification berth for Doha. Toula Falvey was the best scorer with 16.
Disappointing Finish
Israel’s season came to a crashing halt after chief goal-scorer Alma Yaacobi was red-carded during the 16-8 loss to France on day three, thus gaining a two-match suspension.
Sadly, for Israel, it went to the crossovers against Great Britain and lost in the penalty shootout after the match was tied 9-9 and the penalties lost 5-4.
Israel won the next match without Yaacobi, downing the Czech Republic 18-5 to get into the ninth-place play-off and when she returned, scoring four goals for 14 in Eindhoven, Israel dispensed with Serbia 13-12 for ninth classification. By not making the trip to Doha, Israel has no chance of qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games when it was earlier deemed a certainty.
Lesser Lights/Bigger Shooters
It’s really at nine down that the disappointment level heightens. Israel’s ninth was top of the “lowest-achievement” list while Group C winner Serbia would be kicking itself for not building on its 7-4 halftime lead over Israel and have a chance of finishing “best of the rest”.
Serbia had four wins compared to Israel’s two.
Germany and Czech Republic both finished second in their lower groups with Germany’s nemesis being Great Britain. The Czechs could not keep up with Serbia and were 11-9 ahead of Germany in the 11-12 play-off before crumbling 6-1 in the final period. Germany’s Belen Vosseberg (above) closed with five goals and 21 for the week — equal highest.
Turkiya tipped out Romania for 13th position, holding back scoring sensation Alina-Ioana Olteanu to two goals and a tournament-high 21 goals at 43.8 per cent. Kubra Kus netted three for Turkiya as she finished the tournament with 20 goals.
Slovakia beat Bulgaria for 15th position with an 18-10 scoreline.
Final Rankings
- Netherlands
- Spain (pictured above)
- Greece
- Italy
- Hungary
- France
- Great Britain
- Croatia
- Israel
- Serbia
- Germany
- Czech Republic
- Turkiya
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Bulgaria
What Now?
There is less than three weeks until the women’s competition starts in Doha for the World Aquatics Championships and little time to rest, recuperate and reset.
Remember, it’s a three-tournament year for the European nations and the leading women’s teams are unlikely to change their rosters. This puts a heavy load on the players, especially with their club commitments.
Netherlands has the advantage and the world and European crowns. Will it back up in Doha and the can the rage be maintained through until August when the Olympic gold medals are handed out?
Doha Protagonists
- United States of America
- Brazil
- Netherlands
- Kazakhstan
- Spain
- China
- Australia
- Hungary
- Singapore
- New Zealand
- Italy
- Canada
- South Africa
- Greece (pictured above)
- France
- Great Britain (pictured below)
Predictions?
You can bet that the Europeans will have the advantage over the non-Europeans with plenty of match fitness of a particularly high intensity so close to the worlds. Will there be tiredness? Athletes at this level are conditioned for their toughness. Can Netherlands repeat its performances in Doha and then do it again in Paris?
Whatever, the Doha programme is just as vicious and having the Europeans mirror what World Aquatics changed to with higher and lower divisions with minor nations having plenty of winnable clashes, the stage is set for more magic.
The ultimate jewels of the crown are still to play for, in Doha and in Paris.