Japan and China have qualified for the April finals series after both winning their semifinals in Istanbul on Tuesday. Japan qualified by beating Great Britain 15-12 and China gained the nod with a 15-8 romp over Germany. In the classification play-offs, Japan came from 6-0 down to beat China 17-15 for first place and Germany outplayed Great Britain 12-11 in the third-ranked match.
Final Placings
- Japan
2. China
3. Germany
4. Great Britain
5. Croatia
6. France
7. Turkiye
8. Czechia
9. Portugal
10. Singapore
11. South Africa
12. Bulgaria
Overview
It was all about winning the semifinals — the classification matches were incidental. Japan and China rose to the occasion, despite some stout defence by Great Britain and Germany respectively. In the final, Japan asserted its authority over China heading toward the World Aquatics World Cup finals series and onwards to the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, later in the year. However, on day two, China beat Japan 14-11.
In the classification group 5-8 semifinals, Croatia pummelled Czechia 19-8 and France pummelled Turkiye 19-9. Both teams were hoping for better things in Istanbul. In the classification matches, France was overwhelmed by Croatia 14-13 for fifth place and Turkiye downed Czechia 16-13 — both exciting clashes.
The experience gained by these new nations at this level bodes well for the health of women’s water polo worldwide.
Match Reports
CLASSIFICATIONS
Classification 1-2
Match 28. JAPAN 17 CHINA 15 (1-6, 4-3, 8-1, 4-5)
Japan turned the tables on China after losing their Group C clash on day two 14-11. It was a match that was played for experienced and to round out a tournament that had already been completed with the top two teams qualified for the finals. It looked like Japan had laid down and died such was the effect China had on the opening quarter. Six unanswered goals had China in prime position for an easy win. However, Japan had other ideas and took one back before the first break. Japan won the second period 4-3 as seven different players scored. China was 9-5 ahead at the long break thanks to a third goal by Wang Huan.
The match turned as Japan scored five straight and missed a penalty attempt in the process, although Yumi Arima regained the ball and scored for 9-9 at 5:58. Yes, those four goals came inside two minutes. Goals were traded then Maho Kobayashi, the left-handed sharp-shooter, scored twice either side of Japanese timeout. Shoka Fukuda added to China’s woes with a goal from deep right for an incredible 13-10 Japanese advantage at the final break — a seven-goal turnaround. Japan shot out to four ahead early in the fourth before Nong Sanfeng took it upon herself to salvage the match with four goals, but still two in arrears at 16-14 at 4:05. Fukuda took it out to three and Yan Jing narrowed it to 17-15. Both teams lost the ball on their two attacks and China timed out its next attempt, leaving Japan 10 seconds to waste the time and start savouring victory.
Match Heroes
Kobayashi topped the Japanese scoring with four goals and Eruna Ura slipped in three with six others contributing in this area. Nong with six and Wang Huan with five were the best for China.
Turning Point
China rushing to 6-0 was one burst. Japan pulling it back to 9-9 was another and then Japan taking the lead at 11-10 to finish in a flourish was the third.
Stats Don’t Lie
Japan went six from 10 on extra and China three from five. Japan missed one of its two penalty attempts and China was flawless with three. China had the better of the steals at 9-2 but Japan shot 32 times to 27.
Bottom Line
Japan has been one of the sharpest-shooting teams with 100 goals in Istanbul. China has 71. That goal-scoring ability all around the pool is a happy position to be in for Japan.
Classification 3-4
Match 27. GREAT BRITAIN 11 GERMANY 12 (3-3, 1-4, 3-1, 4-4)
Germany needed a goal inside the last half-minute to secure victory over Great Britain. This was amazing considering Germany was in control for much of the match and led 7-4 at halftime after levelling the first at three. Gesa Deike and Ira Deike scored the four goals for Germany in the second quarter with Gesa Deike doing the heavy lifting with three.
Harriet Dickens scored two penalty goals inside a minute to open the third quarter but traded goals made it 8-7 to Germany by the final break. Briton Amelia Peters was red-carded for allegedly kicking to the throat area of a German opponent in the third period. At the top of the fourth quarter, Germany went 10-7 ahead thanks to two quick goals and one to Gesa Deike on extra. Katie Brown buried the next two for Britain and Germany’s Aylin Fry scored from wide left to make it 11-9 at 4:26. Toula Falvey, who scored an earlier penalty goal, snapped in two goals from centre forward with the second on a near pass to level the match at 11 by 1:16. Germany called a timeout and Ira Deike made sure of the goal from deep left, which proved to be the winner at 0:24. Britain had its final shot rattle the top-right corner and the flurry of arms made sure Germany came up with the ball for third place.
Match Heroes
Gesa Deike and Ira Deike blasted in seven German goals between then with Gesa getting four and 28 for the tournament. Darja Heinbichner was again on fire in goal with 12 saves. Falvey was the highest scorer for Britain with three goals.
Turning Point
The 4-1 second quarter was most telling and as Britain crept back into the match, Germany went out again. For Britain to come back to 11-11 was most commendable, but Ira Deike did not like that.
Stats Don’t Lie
Germany won with a higher scoring percentage, needing only 24 shots to 35. It scored two from four on extra and denied Britain four from five. Britain scored all three penalty attempts to Germany’s one. Britain also made 11 steals to four. Good statistics for the Brits but no win.
Bottom Line
German has been up and down but came good in the last match while Great Britain has been consistent throughout. As a World Aquatics Championship contender early in the year — finishing 11th — it expected more.
Classification 5-6
Match 26. CROATIA 14 FRANCE 13 (2-4, 5-3, 5-2, 2-4)
Croatia needed a last-minute winner to send off France and claimed fifth position. It meant firstly to nullify the 4-2 quarter-time deficit and the 7-3 margin that France had taken three minutes into the second quarter. Olympian Ema Vernoux had two of those French goals as her tally was amassing. Croatia took stock and levelled at seven by halftime, even after missing a penalty attempt.
The Croatian surge and French decline continued in the third period with Iva Rozic, Nika Alamat and Jelena Butic pushing the margin to three. France responded and Lara Srhoj buried consecutive penalty goals for 12-8 at 2:03. Ema Vernoux struck either side of the final break for 12-10 Lara Andres and Vernoux scored the next three for 13-13 on the strength of Srhoj having a penalty shot stopped. Andres came up with the equalising shot at 1:22. However, a penalty goal to Rozic at 1:02 was all that was needed for victory.
Match Heroes
Rozic, with her four goals for Croatia, was inspirational all tournament. Ema Vernoux scored five goals and Camille Radosavljevic netted three. Mia Rycraw made 12 saves in goal, making her one of the best in Istanbul.
Turning Point
France took the match to 7-3 in the second quarter and Croatia took over with a seven-goal surge that had France flummoxed. Croatia built on that until France brought it back to 13-13, only to lose.
Stats Don’t Lie
Croatia probably won the match on penalties, converting six from eight to France’s four from four. France had the better of extra attack with three from seven and then stopping both Croatian attempts. Croatia stole the ball four times to three and had more shots at 37-30.
Bottom Line
France is rebuilding from Paris 2024 and Croatia is fresh to the limelight and brimming full of confidence. Don’t discount France and watch Croatia this coming year.
Classification 7-8
Match 25. CZECHIA 13 TURKIYE 16 (3-2, 2-6, 3-4, 5-4)
This was a clash between two rising superstars in Josefina Hola of Czechia and Kubra Kus of Turkiye. They have been ruling the roost in Istanbul with goals aplenty. By tournament end Hola would have 19 goals and Kus a staggering 32 from five matches. Hola had three in the first quarter and Kus one while she missed a penalty attempt. Kus scored the go-ahead goal at 4-3 and had two more by 7-5 while Hola was on four goals. Hanzade Dabbag made it 8-5 at the turn off a penalty strike.
Lucie Votavova scored twice either side of a Kus goal and Karolina Javurkova narrowed it to one. However, Dabbag and Kus twice moved the match into overdrive at 12-8 heading into the last quarter. Kus scored her eighth on counter at 14-9 and Hola netted two more by 15-11. Goals were traded and Hola closed all scoring at 0:32 off a penalty shot — too far to force a shootout — of which there was amazingly none in four days of competition.
Match Heroes
Kus with a staggering eight goals for Turkiye with Dabbag netting four more, Hola was also on fire, netting seven goals for Czechia.
Turning Point
Turkiye coming back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3 and then keep a distance to Czechia.
Stats Don’t Lie
Czechia lost out on extra plays scoring none from four while Turkiye gained its one chance in a match dominated by so many action goals. Czechia put away all four penalty attempts to one from two for the victor. Turkiye had the better of the steals at 8-6, and only needed 31 shots to 34 for the victory.
Bottom Line
Both teams have been a revelation in Istanbul with such classy leading players. This match was really a roll of the dice and their futures seem bright.
SEMIFINALS
Classification 1-4 Semifinals (Winners Qualify)
Match 23. GREAT BRITAIN 12 JAPAN 15 (2-5, 4-4, 3-2, 3-4)
This promised so much with two teams pumping all tournament. Japan set the tone with the first two goals and thanks to Fuka Nishiyama who scored twice, had the quarter score at 5-2. Goals were traded with Japan taking the lead throughout the second quarter, ending 9-6 in Japan’s favour. Eight different scorers were used.
Yumi Arima scored a pair in the third quarter to go with her earlier double. It was 11-7 and a British pair had it 11-9 by the final break. Toula Falvey muscled in a two-metre score for 11-10 to start the final period. Arima and Akari Inaba pushed it out to three with Anya Clapperton sending in her third at 3:23. Arima finished her scoring at 15-11, leaving Katie Brown to grab a consolation goal for Great Britain at 0:53. Japan was through to the finals.
Match Heroes
Veteran Arima with six goals and Nishiyama with three. Clapperton was the best for Great Britain, firing home three goals while goalkeeper Jade Smith made 11 saves.
Turning Point
The first two goals for Japan and the 5-2 quarter-time score. Japan maintained that three-goal margin throughout.
Stats Don’t Lie
Japan went five from nine on extra and stopped six of 10. It scored both penalty attempts and Britain made sure of its one chance. Britain made eight steals four and had less shots at 32-34.
Bottom Line
Japan is fast, faster than Great Britain. Both teams use their whole teams to score goals. It was not Great Britain’s day. It surely was Japan’s.
Match 24. GERMANY 8 CHINA 15 (3-2, 2-3, 2-6, 1-4)
China made sure of qualifying for the finals with a solid second half. Nervous at first as Germany was fixated on getting to the finals, China trailed by one at the quarter and was still one down midway through the second quarter. However, Wang Huan put away her second goal, off extra, and Zhang Yumian, who two minutes earlier missed a penalty attempt, sent in the equaliser with 10 seconds on the clock.
This brought Nong Sanfeng back into the play with consecutive goals — the first on penalty — to lift China to 7-5 ahead. It was her fourth goal. Each scored twice for 9-7 with Wang Shiyun lifting the margin to three. Belen Vosseberg had her penalty shot rejected and Wang Shiyun converted hers for 11-7 by the last break. Three Chinese goals, including two to Shao Yixin, doubled Germany’s seven goals. Goals were traded again and China was into the finals.
Match Heroes
Nong with four goals, including the go-ahead-and-clear pair of goals at the top of the third quarter. Eight of her team-mates also scored. Gesa Deike with three for Germany and Darja Heinbichner with nine saves in goal, were the best for Germany.
Turning Point
Germany started strongly at 3-1 with China equalising twice before controlling the second half for victory.
Stats Don’t Lie
China may have only taken 30 shots to 35, but it nailed four from eight on extra and stopped three from four while landing five from six from the penalty line and stopping Germany’s only attempt. Germany was the better with seven steals to four.
Bottom Line
China has been one of the better teams in world women’s water polo and this history showed through. Germany needs more time and more competition at this level.
Classification 5-9 Semifinals
Match 21. CZECHIA 8 CROATIA 19 (2-5, 1-5, 2-3, 3-6)
Croatia had the tools and stars to make sure it had an excellent margin over Czechia. Croatia took the lead and was 4-1, closing the first period at 5-2. This was a match where extra-attacks were almost non-existent and penalties did not feature. It was all about freedom and taking chances when they presented. There were an incredible 24 action goals, almost unheard of at this level. Croatia eased through the second period 5-1 for a 10-3 halftime advantage.
Nika Alamat scored consecutive goals for 12-3. Nikola Busauerova and Josefina Hola grabbed two back with Ana Desnica scoring her second to close the period at 13-5. Iva Rozic doubled her scoring with two goals for 16-6, followed by Busauerova and three Croatian goals to seal the match, with Alamat in the mix.
Match Heroes
Alamat and Rozic finished with four apiece while nine players made the sheet. Busauerova netted three for Czechia.
Turning Point
Croatia going 4-1 and then 8-2 started the march to victory.
Stats Don’t Lie
Croatia scored two from two on extra and denied Czechia four from five. Neither team gained a penalty foul and Croatia stole the ball seven times to five and took 31 shots to 27.
Bottom Line
Croatia is on the rise and more advanced in its programme than Czechia. Only time will tell how these teams evolve.
Match 22. TURKIYE 9 FRANCE 19 (3-7, 4-6, 1-3, 1-3)
France was insistent that its reputation was on the line and nothing short of a solid match would suffice. The French did just that, spearheaded by Ema Vernoux, and France led 4-1. Turkiye pulled it back to a one-goal match before Valentine Heurtaux grabbed a pair and Lara Andres finalised the quarter at 7-3. It was just as frenetic in the second quarter with both teams missing a penalty attempt and progressing the score to 13-5 before Dilara Burali and Hanzade Dabbag trimmed the margin just before the halftime buzzer. Erica Hardy scored her second and third in the period.
A quieter third quarter went the way of France as it controlled the play for 16-8. It was a repeat in the final quarter with Turkish star Kubra Kus managing to raise her head for her third goal at 17-9. Orsolya Hertzka finished the scoring at 19-9 for France.
Match Heroes
Hardy with four and triples to Heurtaux, Hertzka and Ema Vernoux helped in the buffer. Lily Vernoux scored twice, continuing the Vernoux dynasty in French water polo. Burali nailed four goals for Turkiye and Kus netted three.
Turning Point
France going 4-1 and 7-3 up by the first quarter. It started the ball rolling.
Stats Don’t Lie
France limited Turkiye to 21 shots and made 34 chances for itself, also winning the steals 4-3. Otherwise, Turkiye made the most of the statistics with three from four on extra to one from two and three from four on penalty compared to France’s one from two.
Bottom Line
France was making a statement that it should have been in the medals here. The big win set it up for the play-offs. Turkiye still has time to progress its women’s programme and compete more often at this level.