Overview

It’s not the end for Spain, as the one point it secured for a shootout loss in Group A, gave it a one-point edge on Greece, thus finishing one-two and advancing to the one-four classifications. By making this round, they also qualify for the finals series in April.

Hungary was brilliant in the victory, but it needed a win in real time as the two points for the shootout meant it finished a point behind Greece. If Hungary had gained the three points and Greece lost, Hungary would have gone through to the top four. However, it now needs to finish top two of the second group to make the finals.

In Group B, USA’s third successive loss tipped it into the 5-8 classifications and now has three days to collect enough victories to make the finals. Italy came up short against Australia and now needs to inflict a fourth defeat on USA if it wishes to play in the finals.

Next Stage

The teams are split into two groups with the top four vying for rankings in a round-robin series. Likewise, the bottom four as they chase the last two positions available for the final series.

Match Reports

Match 9, Group A, SPAIN 17 HUNGARY 18 in penalty shootout (3-3, 3-4, 4-3, 4-4. Pens: 3-4)

Image Source: Bibor Pogonyi (HUN) and Daniela Moreno (ESP) defends//MariliaVasilakopoulou/World Aquatics

 

Hungary became the first team to tarnish Spain’s Olympic shine with what could be called an historic victory. And it was achieved without the guiding light of Rita Keszthelyi, who sat out the match. The new wave of Hungarians did what a Hungarian team had achieved only once before in the last 13 years — Hungary beat Spain in a World League quarterfinal in 2021.

It was a roller-coaster ride for both teams with Hungary making much of the play, forcing Spain to come back too many times. The best comeback was from star Elena Ruiz who equalised in the last second to force the shootout.

The equaliser came up 12 times as every number to 10 was utilised. It was just a case of who was in front at the time. Spain levelled nine seconds from time in the first quarter with Elena Ruiz having two in the pot. She started the second quarter from the top right and goals were traded until 6-6 when Eszter Varro scored from two metres. Kata Hajdu claimed her second on counter and Hungary had the 7-6 advantage at the long break.

Goals were swapped to start the third period and Elena Ruiz blasted in from the top on extra and on counter for a Spanish 9-8 lead. Kamilla Farago on extra was covered by Paula Prats from the deep right. Hajdu squared the match at 10 on extra from deep left.

Then came the all-important fourth period with Hajdu converting a penalty foul and Vanda Baksa grabbing her second with a lob from the deep right to push Hungary 12-10 ahead — the biggest lead of the match. Ortiz pulled one back on penalty and Panna Tiba converted extra for her second for 13-11. Centre forward Paula Leiton had three defenders on her as she slipped in a goal and soon after captain Ortiz levelled from deep right. A coach’s challenge ensued, but it was for something at centre forward, which was denied. Spain shot and scored and a coach’s challenge successfully overturned the goal as it came off the hand too late. Hajdu converted extra for 14-13 at 0:16 and the match looked over. Spain went to a timeout and it was clear what needed to be done. However, the passes to the left were slow but it unexpectedly reached Elena Ruiz like a hot potato. She scored from deep left with the buzzer sounding after the ball left her hand — 14-14 and off to a penalty shootout.

Spain started and Ortiz’s shot was saved. The next two went in and the fourth from Farago had her shot find the goalkeeper’s head. The next four were successful for 17-17. Then Martina Claveria hit the left upright and Dorina Dobi scored for the 18-17 victory.

Match Heroes
Hajdu
with five goals for Hungary, but possibly the whole team can be praised for its effort. Elena Ruiz with six goals and Ortiz with three while Martina Terre made 10 saves in the Spanish goal.

Turning Point
Where do you start? So many twists and turns. Spain held the lead five times and had to level seven times, such was the intensity of the match.

Image Source: Paula Prats (ESP)/Sia Karekla/World Aquatics

Stats Don’t Lie
Hungary won it in the extra-play stats with eight from 11 compared to five from eight. Both teams landed a penalty goal; Spain made two steals to nil and Hungary shot 29 times to 27.

Bottom Line
Hungary wanted it more and wanted to be the first to topple the Olympic champion.

Match 10, Group B, NETHERLANDS 21 ISRAEL 6 (5-2, 4-1, 5-1, 7-2)

Image Source: Maya Katzir (ISR) shooting against Lieke Rogge (NED/Sia Karekla/World Aquatics

After the previous match this seemed more sedate as Netherlands went through the motions of winning every quarter by pouring in a succession of goals. Netherlands turned 2-0 into 4-1 with Marit van der Weijden scoring twice — from centre forward and the penalty line. Israel made it 4-2 on extra with a pass to centre forward Maya Katzir. Lieke Rogge finished up the scoring on extra from the top. Lola Moolhuijzen opened the second quarter with Alma Yaacobi replying on penalty. Three more Dutch goal sent Netherlands to the turn at 9-3.

The three-goal surge turned into a seven-goal bonus as Netherlands had the match sewn up at 13-3 late in the third. Goals were traded and Netherlands was 14-4 up at the final break.  Netherlands controlled the final quarter, stretching the score to 16-4 and 19-5 with several counter-attack goals. Noa Markovsky converted a late Israel penalty and Netherlands scored the last two with van der Weijden collecting her fifth.

Match Heroes
Van der Weijden
notched five goals and Fleurien Bosveld and Moolhuijzen grabbed three apiece as nine Dutch players scored. Yaacobi and Markovsky scored twice each for Israel.

Image Source: Amalia Christodoulou-Out (NED)/Sia Karekla/World Aquatics

Turning Point
The 5-2 opening quarter was all that was needed to set the Dutch on the path to victory.

Stats Don’t Lie
Netherlands went a formidable seven from 10 on extra and blocked five of six. Both teams scored three penalty goals; the Dutch stole the ball 10 times to five and took 34 shots to 21.

Bottom Line
Netherlands was the 2023 world champion and with the Spanish upset in the previous match, the victor from Alexandroupolis is uncertain.  The Dutch, however, remain the only unbeaten team here.

Match 11, Group A, GREECE 20 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 7 (4-2, 4-2, 7-1, 5-2)

Image Source: Vasiliki Plevritou (GRE)/Sia Karekla/World Aquatics

Greece inflicted probably the largest defeat on a USA women’s team in history as it stormed home with a 13-goal margin, unheralded in the modern game. It was a third straight loss for the youngsters who are now finding out what top international water polo is all about and how heavy that mantle of world champion really is. The win elevated Greece into second position in its group and thus qualification for the final series.

USA scored first on extra and 90 seconds later Greece was in the box seat at 2-1. Chrissy Flynn and Foteini Tricha traded penalty goals. Maria Myriokefalitaki added the fourth Greek goal from the left-hand-catch position, 26 seconds from the first-quarter buzzer. Stefania Santa and Vasiliki Plevritou began the second quarter on counter and from deep left. Tara Prentice ended a series of extra-player passes on the left post but two Greek goals made it 8-3. USA called a timeout and the subsequent play was successful thanks to Flynn on extra.

Things came unstuck for USA at the top of the third period when head coach Adam Krikorian lost a challenge for a penalty call. It seemed a justifiable challenge, but it went against him and he was not pleased. He was given a yellow card and immediately a red, something we have probably not seen in his career. It was left to his assistants to run the team from the bench. Greece scored four unanswered goals with two counter-attacks coming off superb passes from goalkeeper Ioanna Stamatopoulou. Maryn Dempsey interjected for USA from the top left and another pair of Greek goals had the final-quarter break at an incredible 15-5, which enthused the full house. Goals were traded at the start of the fourth before Greece nailed another three goals. In the last second, USA’s Lucy Haaland-Ford drilled from the top for 20-7.

Image Source: Adam Krikorian (USA)/Sia Karekla/World Aquatics

Match Heroes
Santa
led the 11 Greek scorers with three goals. Flynn scored twice for USA.

Turning Point
The relentless surge from 4-1 at the quarter to 8-4 at halftime and then by a magnificent 10 goals at the final break.

Stats Don’t Lie
Greece converted three from five on extra and USA four from eight. Greece smashed in five penalty goals and USA one. USA stole the ball five times to four and shot 35 to 28.

Bottom Line
Greece, who under-performed on day two against Spain, came out with a different mentality today and showed what its experience meant to the team. USA’s newcomers are still blending and there is still time to salvage something from this tournament, possibly even a qualification spot.

Match 12, Group B, ITALY 8 AUSTRALIA 12 (1-5, 1-2, 3-3, 3-2)

Image Source: Lucrezia Cergol (ITA) defended by Sienna Hearn (AUS)/Sia Karekla/World Aquatics

Olympic silver medallist Australia looked the part, especially in the first quarter, controlling and seemingly scoring at will while Italy struggled to get into the match. From 1-1, it went to 5-1 with two Danijela Jackovich goals on extra. Abby Andrews netted her second for 6-1 two minutes into the second quarter. Chiara Ranalli posted her second, on extra, with Bronte Halligan drilling from the top for 7-2 nearly three minutes from halftime.

Abby Andrews used her left arm to excellent effect from the right side of the pool, the second coming on lob. Ranalli scored her second penalty goal and third overall after a coach’s challenge to the penalty shot was lost. Nioka Thomas converted extra to bring up double figures for the Aussie Stingers and an Italian pair narrowed the score to 10-5 by the final break. Another two Italian goals, including as second from Dafne Bettini on extra, trimmed the margin to three with still 4:18 on the clock. An Aussie timeout brought a settling effect, but no goal, until more than a minute later when Alice Williams lit up from well outside. Ranalli converted extra at 1:27 and Abby Andrews made sure of the result on extra from deep right at 1:02.

Match Heroes
Abby Andrews
top-scored with five goals for the Stingers. Ranalli netted four Italian goals. The Italian goalkeepers made 14 saves between them.

Image Source: Australia/Sia Karekla/World Aquatics

Turning Point
From 1-1 to 6-1, Australia was sitting pretty and cruised home. Italy’s four unanswered goals either side of the final break was a concern.

Stats Don’t Lie
Australia converted six from 10 on extra and denied Italy five of nine. Italy scored both penalty goals and Australia made 10 steals to five and shot 29 times to 24.

Bottom Line
Australia gained its second victory while Italy has the one win over Israel.

Final Points

Group A: Spain 7, Greece 6, Hungary 5, United States of America 0
Group B: Netherlands 9, Australia 6, Italy 3, Israel 0

Day 4 Schedule

Group 2 Series (Classification 5-8)
Match 13. 15:00. Hungary v Israel
Match 14. 17:00. Italy v United States of America
Group 1 Series (Classification 1-4)
Match 15. 19:00. Netherlands v Greece
Match 16. 21:00. Spain v Australia