Croatia will play champion Hungary and Spain will tackle Australia for a gold-medal berth when semifinals are played on Wednesday. All the captains stood up and scored big in four thrilling quarterfinals.
In the classification 1-8 quarterfinals, Croatia rolled Netherlands 8-6; Hungary needed a penalty shootout to defeat Greece 16-14 after the match was tied at 12-12; Spain had the better of United States of America 16-10 and Australia downed strong medal prospect Italy 13-8.
In the classification 9-16 quarterfinals, Canada made it 8-6 against South Africa; Germany held off Thailand 7-4; China romped in over Turkiye 8-1 and Serbia outlasted Ukraine 8-5.
In the classification 17-22 quarterfinals, Kazakhstan beat France 13-10 and Czechia vanquished Malta 14-8.
Day 5 Matches
Division 1 Quarterfinals (1-8)
Match 37, NETHERLANDS 6 CROATIA 8 (1-3, 1-1, 2-1, 2-3)
This was a coming of age for Croatia, to get a women’s team into a world semifinal. And it achieved the result by never being headed. Neli Jankovic started proceedings with a 10m bullet followed by Ana Brzovic’s extra-man goal on the next attack, shunting the ball in from two metres on the drive. Leyla Hiati converted a penalty foul and Tonka Rogulj had the score at 3-1 by 6:08 with her missile into the top right. A multitude of shots missed, were saved or hit the posts, but no further score in the quarter. By now the competition moves to eight-minute quarters and while there was a six-minute hiatus in the first quarter, the opening goal of the second did not come until three minutes in when Petra Galic made it 4-1 on extra. Hiati blasted form the top for 4-2 19 seconds later and the last 4:40 were scoreless.
The third period was scoreless until 2:19 when Loeki Ouwerkerk converted extra. Nina Jazvin and Marjolein de Gier swapped centre-forward goals with Croatia holding a slender 5-4 margin at the final break. Lara Srhoj scored the first of three goals in the final period to lift her tally to 14. Vera van As responded and three more minutes transpired without a goal as bodies tired of the longer match. De Gier levelled at six through extra from a rebound at 3:35 before Srhoj converted a penalty and sat up unguarded at the end of possession time and fired from the top for 8-6 at 1:39. Each side took a timeout with no effect with Netherlands’ final shot going above the crossbar and Croatia was through to the semifinals.
Match Heroes
Srhoj with her three goals in the final quarter was named best player. For Netherlands, de Gier and Hiati scored twice each.
Turning Point
Srhoj’s heroics in the final quarter. Without her, the Dutch surge could have produced a different result.
Stats Don’t Lie
Both teams went two from seven on extra; both scored their penalty attempts with Croatia two and Netherlands one. On steals, where it mattered, Croatia made seven to two. Netherlands had 30 shots to 26.
Bottom Line
Croatia deserves its day in the sun, and it is very sunny and hot here in Manisa.
Match 38, GREECE 14 HUNGARY 16 in penalty shootout. FT: 12-12. Pens: 2-4 (1-3, 2-2, 4-5, 5-2, Pens 2-4)
Hungary came through when needed but will be thinking about that last quarter when it started three goals up, went to plus four and then allowed Greece back into the match with a minute left on the clock. Hungary went to 2-0 and then 3-1 for a satisfying first eight minutes. Hungarian captain Kincso Kenez opened the second quarter on extra for her second and 4-1. Going to script. Greek captain Nefeli Krassa scored her 11th goal of the week from the top for 4-2. In the final minute goals were traded.
Kenez made it 6-3 on extra at 6:25 and goals were swapped before Hanga Szalkai made it a four-goal margin on counter. Another trade and it was 9-5, although Androniki Karagianni scored on action for 9-6. Another trade had the match at 10-7 by the final break. Two minutes into the fourth, Kenez scored on extra and Krassa replied on action. Maria Ntouli scored from two metres to close the gap to two and Krassa fired from the top for a one-goal deficit at 2:33. Hungary went 12-1 ahead thanks to Barbara Fule on action and Eirini Stavridou replied soon after from centre forward for 12-11. Karagianni inflicted the pain when she scored from with a low skipping shot from deep right at 1:04 for 12-12, which held until the final buzzer, forcing the shootout. Krassa missed the first Greek shot; Szalkai missed Hungary’s third; Afroditi Bitsakou hit the post and by the time Kinez scored on the ninth shot, Hungary was through to the semifinals.
Match Heroes
Kenez with four goals for Hungary and Sara Keszthelyi with two. Krassa was Greece’s best with four and Karagianni hit three.
Turning Point
The last period where Greece came heroically back into the match to force the shootout.
Stats Don’t Lie
Hungary converted five from nine on extra and defended three from six. There were no penalties and Hungary’s best stat was seven steals to three. Greece had five more shots than Hungary.
Bottom Line
Hungary survives to defend its title. Greece has had a good tournament, but certain aspects have been lacking, which showed today.
Match 39, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 10 SPAIN 16 (1-4, 2-4, 3-4, 4-4)
Spain came home with the victory in a match where major fouls were being called all over the pool — 19 exclusions and 10 penalties. USA made the board first, but it was not long before Spain took charge with captain Queralt Anton converting a penalty foul and scoring on extra late in the period. Daniela Pajares scored the next two for 4-1 at the first break. Anton had it out to 5-1 at the top of the second quarter. Gabriella Alexson responded on extra off the left-post position. Goals were traded mid quarter and the big break for Spain came late in the half when Anton struck twice — on extra and from left-hand-catch — for 8-3.
Chrissy Flynn grabbed two for USA — from the penalty line and extra from top right — to give USA hope. However, three more Spanish goals, including another penalty from Anton, had the margin at six. USA skipper Charlotte Raisin converted extra and Anton nullified that with another in the dying seconds from top right. Goals were traded until 14-8 in the fourth period; Pajares scored with a wicked left-hander from wide right and Raisin claimed a penalty goal for 15-9 at 3:05. Pajares and Raisin swapped goals in the final minute, leaving Spain with an impressive six-goal victory.
Match Heroes
Anton was by far the best, standing up when required, scoring seven goals for 17 in total. Pajares scored four and goalkeeper Hajar Perez made a fantastic 12 saves. USA’s best was Raisin with four; Flynn and Alexson with two each while goalkeeper Shelby Killingsworth made seven saves.
Turning Point
Going from 1-1 to 4-1. It was never close after that.
Stats Don’t Lie
Spain may have scored only three from five on extra, but it defended an incredible 11 from 14. On penalties, Spain missed five from eight with USA converting two from four. USA stole the ball five 10 times to five.
Bottom Line
Spain is a class team and has showed that in the matches to date and will be a contender on the last day. USA will be disappointed, but there are still two more days to show their wares.
Match 40, AUSTRALIA 13 ITALY 8 (4-3, 1-1, 4-4, 4-0)
This was a stunning result for the Aussies. They have looked good in the early matches, but this was the big test, against a top side firing on all cylinders. However, a three-goal advantage in the first quarter made it tough for the Italians to bridge, even though it levelled at three and six, seven and eight in the third period. After Sienna Walker grabbed the third goal, slipping clear at two metres on extra to score, Italian star shooter Margherita Minuto arrived with a blast from top left — her 23rd goal — and she followed up with a second into the top right for 3-2. Giulia Bozzo scored at centre forward with a backhand on the right post and Italy was back at 3-3. Abigail Oates separated the teams inside the final minute. The second quarter was quiet on the scoring from with Lucy Stuart scoring on counter and Minuto scoring at centre forward for 5-4 at the turn. Goals were traded and at 5:41, Laura Ruani scored her seventh of the week on extra for 6-6. Amelie Hoefel scored twice to break two deadlocks and Walker had to break the 8-8 leveller from centre at 1:24. It was two minutes into the final quarter that captain Emmersen McEwan converted a penalty or the crucial two-goal advantage This became three goals through Sara Connors and four via Walker on extra from a near pass at the right-post position at 2:02. The final nail in the coffin came from deep-left-wing Ellie Sefton on extra at 1:03. Australia was into the semifinals against Spain.
Match Heroes
Australia’s Walker with four goals was awarded the certificate while McEwan netted three and Hoefel two. Minuto had her lowest score of three and Ruani and Malika Bovo had a pair each.
Turning Point
The opening quarter set the tone. Breaking the drawn scores were important, but that early break gave the Aussies charisma and confidence.
Stats Don’t Lie
Australia converted four from seven and stopped five from eight on extra, put away two from four at the penalty line while Italy could only manage three from eight. Australia made five steals to two.
Bottom Line
Italy will be shocked by the loss after its previous good performances. Australia is elated with its well-balanced match and deserved to hold on for victory.
Division 2 Quarterfinals (9-16)
Match 33, SOUTH AFRICA 6 CANADA 8 (4-1, 0-5, 1-1, 1-1)
South Africa had a terrific start, a penalty goal and then a tap in from a cross pass on extra taking it into the lead. Gabriella Morrell put it into the top left from outside for the third and Jenna Blaauw crossed it into goal from deep left on action for a magnificent 4-0 advantage. Canada snapped out of it and Airi Cowie replied from seven metres a minute from the buzzer. A minute into the next period, McKenna Pineda-McLean took a cross pass from five metres and scored quickly for 4-2. The ball was stolen from South Africa and Adelyn Kyfiuk drove down the left, took the pass and scored for 4-3, worthy of the high fives given her from a team-mate. The next shot came two minutes later after the teams played “let’s steal the ball” and Pineda-McLean went on counter for 4-4 at 2:34, taking the pass from Morrell. South Africa hit the right upright on penalty and then Cowie provided the goods for Canada with consecutive goals, both from identical positions out the top, for the 6-4 advantage going into halftime.
South Africa had a penalty attempt saved early in the third period and soon after Adelaide Bilodeau converted extra-man attack for 7-4. Holly Strydom pulled one back from centre forward nearly 10 minutes since her team last found the net. Canada had three shots saved, including one on penalty, for the rest of the period. South Africa had two stopped — one on extra. Canada opened the fourth quarter when Tara Marunica accepted a pass at deep left to score for 8-5. Canada was getting into foul trouble but resisted South Africa who hit the post with one shot on extra, grabbed the rebound and scored for 8-6 at 1:29 from deep left on extra. South Africa gained a major foul, took a timeout at 0:15 and wasted an open opportunity to pass to the middle where the shooter hit the left post and the match fizzled.
Match Heroes
Canadian goalkeeper Alexandra Stoddard was awarded best in pool, making six valuable saves. Cowie finished with three goals and Pineda-McLean with two for Canada. Blaauw was the only double scorer for South Africa.
Turning Point
South Africa’s 4-0 start and then Canada’s six unanswered goals that took the team to victory.
Stats Don’t Lie
South Africa would be pleased with the stats, scoring two from seven on extra and defending three from four. It scored one from three on penalty and Canada was denied its one attempt. Canada had the edge on shooting, but only by two shots.
Bottom Line
South Africa “let the game get away from it” according to one of the players and leading 4-0 and losing 8-6 must be a sore point. However, both teams fought hard — as the 2-2 second half shows — and provided a spectacle. It was Canada’s second win over an African team after the opening-day 13-0 margin against Zimbabwe.
Match 34, GERMANY 7 THAILAND 4 (1-1, 1-0, 3-1, 2-2)
Germany came into the match with one victory from the group stage and left with a second.
The first goal was a long time coming with Nattamon Khamma opening scoring at 1:28, shooting with her left arm from centre forward with a half turn. Leni Harms responded from the top, 17 seconds later. Harms stole the ball and had another shot, hitting the left post. In the second quarter, neither team could get through with all shots being snapped up by the keepers or defenders. However, Germany shot six times and Thailand only three. Thankfully for Germany, Emma Fehmel watched her lob go in from the top left, six seconds from the halftime buzzer. Thanidakarn Kwantongtanaree equalised with a six-metre, foul shot from the right at 5:19 in the second quarter, for her eighth goal in Manisa. Germany gained an ejection, took a timeout and moved the ball around to Viktoria Tomica on the left post to score for 3-2. Lucy Schuessler doubled the difference with a rocket from top right and with 14 seconds remaining, she did it again, almost from the same spot — 5-2 heading into the last quarter. Clara Straach scored her first goal of the tournament with a lob from deep left on the first attack of the fourth quarter. Kwantongtanaree replied on extra with a swift shot from the left for 6-3. Amaia Bluhm was another first-time scorer, finding herself unmarked deep left, lifting the margin to four. Kanruetai Riangsuntea sent in her first goal here from the left on extra and off a fast pass for 7-4, at 1:13.
Match Heroes
Lucy Schuessler was named player of the match, scoring twice for Germany, as did Kwantongtanaree for Thailand.
Turning Point
The big move was in the third period, shifting from 2-2 to 5-2.
Stats Don’t Lie
There was little to be gleaned from the statistics with Germany scoring its one extra chance and Thailand two from three. There were no penalties awarded and on steals, Germany led six to five, but it was the total shooting that had Germany excited — 27 to 17.
Bottom Line
Germany deserved victory and it was good to see both teams playing up to their best, especially on defence.
Match 35, CHINA 8 TURKIYE 1 (3-0, 2-1, 1-0, 2-0)
It was all China, bringing up its second victory, alongside a one-goal defeat. Turkiye worked tirelessly for little reward, holding off China for long moments. China kept a clean sheet in the first quarter while Anran Yu on extra-man attack, Shangyu Chen from the top on extra and Jingwen Zhang on counter — lobbing from two metres — gave China a 3-0 lead at the first break. Yu converted extra again at the top of the second period, as she earned the ejection, passed off and received to score from the left-post position. Turkiye’s first and only goal came at 0:32 when, after a period of exceptional defence by both teams, Naz Ozdemir lobbed from deep right for 4-1. Yiting Yin scored on extra immediately afterwards for 5-1 by halftime. Turkiye had five shots to two in the third period, but could not convert, even having a penalty shot miss. China was struggling to get to goal, only shooting twice with the second producing a score, 16 seconds from time via penalty. Xiwen Chen was the scorer. Sirui Huang opened for China in the fourth period, steadying herself at centre forward and lobbing the ball into goal for 7-1. A Turkish timeout yielded nothing and at 1:19, Turkiye gave up a penalty foul, giving Jingwen Zhang her second goal from four attempts. Zhang had another penalty attempt at 0:43, but hit the left post. China took the match 8-1.
Match Heroes
Chinese goalkeeper Xiwen Zhang was named best in pool, stopping some important shots. Yu and Jingwen Zhang scored twice each.
Turning Point
The first quarter when China went 3-0 ahead.
Stats Don’t Lie
China converted four from six on extra and defended none from two. On penalty, China went two from three and Turkiye missed its one attempt. Turkiye shot 15 to 13 and made four steals to one.
Bottom Line
China has been getting better all tournament and today, it worked well with accurate shots despite the power defence of the Turks.
Match 36, UKRAINE 5 SERBIA 8 (0-2, 3-3, 2-2, 0-1)
Serbia won its second match against a team still demoralised from a scoreless match-up with Australia the day before. Masa Cuk scored her eighth goal when she scored from two metres to open the scoring at 4:14 for Serbia. It took until 0:23 for Serbia to get the second, through Mina Brankovic from eight metres into the top left. Midway through the period, Jana Jankovic had her penalty attempt saved. Brankovic repeated her earlier shot at the top of the second quarter and Nika Ratkovic scored on counter for 4-0. Ukraine took a timeout to upset Serbia’s rhythm and make the most of extra-man attack. It used up all the exclusion time, shooting on the buzzer, hitting the crossbar and landing in the hand of the deep right wing who passed across field to Veronika Murzakova who scored for 4-1.
Ratkovic scored off a short drive for 5-1 and soon after the unguarded Alika Kurmakaieva shot from six minutes at the end of possession time. Viktoriya Rudnyk pulled another back, from the top on extra, at 0:36 for 5-3 behind heading into halftime. Rudnyk continued the resurgence early in the third period, launching a missile from past 10m. Masa Cuk made it 6-4 from left hand catch and the last 15 seconds were full of excitement, Daria Strelko scoring from deep right and Masa Cuk lobbing in a shot from outside six metres with a second left on the clock for 7-5. Defence ruled in the final six minutes with only Masa Cuk succeeding with a centre-forward shot at 1:48. Ukraine had a penalty shot saved and Serbia swam away with the match.
Match Heroes
Masa Cuk, with her four goals and 11 for the week, was named best in pool. Brankovic and Ratkovic claimed a pair each. Rudnyk was the star for Ukraine with two goals.
Turning Point
The 4-0 start by Serbia and then managing to maintain the difference for long periods.
Stats Don’t Lie
Serbia missed its sole extra-man chance, but defended three from four. Serbia missed two penalty attempts and Ukraine one. Where the stats worked for Serbia were 26 shots to 17 and four steals to
Bottom Line
Serbia is improving fast and Ukraine would be happy with the return to scoring goals.
Division 3 Quarterfinals (17-22)
Match 63, KAZAKHSTAN 13 FRANCE 10 (5-1, 2-2, 2-3, 4-4)
Kazakhstan was playing only its third match because of the late withdrawal of teams. It lost to South Africa by one and Hungary by nine. Today it shot out of the blocks, leading 2-0 in two minutes. Sohane Bentaleb converted extra-man attack for France, but Kazakhstan was 3-1 up through a penalty goal from Yana Smolina and an outside shot by Ayana Kuntubayeva. Shirin Khudaibergenova finished an extra-man attack from the top on the buzzer for a handsome 5-1 advantage. France gained a couple of exclusions and succeeded with scoring off the second from deep left by Feryel Bentaleb at 3:20. France gratefully accepted a penalty shot with Tilia Giovanetti converting for 5-3 at 2:46. Smolina rifled in another penalty goal for 6-3. There was a huge holdup as French coach Thibault Simon was yellow-carded after a wrong player left the pool on exclusion. Taira Mukhayeva hammered in a shot from top left for 7-3 inside the half’s final minute.
Feryel Bentaleb scored on extra and then from a turnover to close to two. Smolina made it penalty No. 3 and scored from wide left outside six metres with a lob for 9-5. Sherihene Benmouna converted extra for France, her eighth for the week, being left stranded on the left post. Goals were traded at the top of the fourth quarter and Mukhayeva followed from centre with a swift turn for 11-7. Kazakhstan converted a penalty; went to a timeout after stealing the ball; France sent in a penalty goal; Sohane Bentaleb made it 12-9 on extra; Kazakhstan converted extra and in the last second France closed the score to 13-10.
Match Heroes
Smolina was voted player of the match with her five goals, Mukhayeva grabbing three. Sohane Bentaleb topped the French scoring with three, Feryel Bentaleb, Giovanetti, Martynova and Benmouna all scored twice.
Turning Point
That 5-1 opening quarter was where the match was won.
Stats Don’t Lie
Kazakhstan went three from four on extra and defended a staggering nine from 15. It converted five from six on penalty while France netted both its attempts. France had four more shots than Kazakhstan.
Bottom Line
Kazakhstan has a long lineage in the sport, especially for women, so that shone through today. France is still tender at the younger ages while their senior women are about to host the Olympic Games competition.
Match 64, CZECHIA 14 MALTA 8 (1-2, 4-0, 4-3, 5-3)
Czechia won this match on the back of a 4-0 second quarter. Czechia started through Jolana Chodlova on the first attack and then had watch as Malta gained a penalty goal and scored on extra for 2-1 at the first break. Lucie Bakalova scored from outside in the first attack of the second quarter and then put away a penalty to retake the lead. Viola Svitakova converted extra and Chodlova converted from the penalty line for 5-2 by halftime. Bakalova scored from deep right with a defender heavily on her for 6-2 at the start of the third period. Elise Gatt picked up a rebound on the goal line to score for 6-3 straight after. Adriana Volakova sent in a penalty goal and Eyla Schembri sent her penalty attempt wide right. Nikola Sintakova drove in bottom left and pushed the ball into goal for 8-3. Goals were traded and in the last minute and Schembri converted extra for 9-5 at the final break. Czechia made sure of the victory with a 5-3 final quarter, going to 12-6 and 14-7 before Gatt snared the last goal with a lob from five metres.
Match Heroes
Bakalova was named best player with her three goals, but team-mate Svitikova finished with five. Schembrie gained three for Malta with Gatt and Nevise Agius getting a pair each.
Turning Point
The second quarter.
Stats Don’t Lie
Both teams did well on extra with Czechia going two from three and Malta four from five. Czechia converted four from five on penalty to Malta’s one from three. Czechia made six steals to one.
Bottom Line
Czechia worked the penalties and those steals assisted, along with the 4-0 second quarter.
Day 6 Schedule
Division 2 Semifinals (13-16)
Match 41. 09:00, L33 RSA v L34 THA
Match 42. 10:15, L35 TUR v L36 UKR
Division 2 Semifinals (9-12)
Match 43. 11:30, W33 CAN v W34 GER
Match 44. 12:45, W35 CHN v W36 SRB
Division 2 Semifinals (5-8)
Match 45. 16:30, L37 NED v L38 GRE
Match 46. 17:45, L39 USA v L40 ITA
Division 1 Semifinals (1-4)
Match 47. 19:00, W37 CRO v W38 HUN
Match 48. 20:15, W39 ESP v W40 AUS
Division 3 Semifinals 17-22)
Match 66. 14:00, W61 ZIM v W62 NZL
Match 67. 15:15, L63 FRA v L64 MLT