Women’s Division II Water Polo Tournament I Russia and China flying to Sydney Finals

Overview

Russia and China have stamped themselves as the pre-eminent teams in Malta, going through unbeaten with large margins. Their clash on Sunday in the final is irrelevant in the context of this tournament but should be heavily watched.

It marks a triumphal return for Russia to the world stage after a long suspension period. For China, under the leadership of Spanish supremo Miki Oca, it’s a return to the level of the 2010s when it appeared on podiums.

For the rest of the teams it is a case of positioning themselves for world rankings and taking those experiences home to work on for next year.

Match Reports

Classification 1-4 Semifinals

Match 39. RUSSIA 24 CANADA 6 (5-1, 8-2, 7-1, 4-2)

Russia thundered into the final and with it the airline tickets to Sydney can now be printed. Russia is back in the fold and proving that it is worthy of being back at the top table. Russia earned the high scores with speed and cross passes. Russia has perfected the cross passing as most of the goals were finished this way, whether on extra, action or counter. Many teams can learn from this. It was not until 4:33 that the first Russian goal was scored and two more came within the minute. Canada responded on extra to Isabella Mady. Mariia Makarova scored twice for 5-1 at the first break. Bella Markoch scored a hat-trick to start the second quarter as Russia fled to 10-1. Emma Lawson broke the seven-goal surge on extra. Mady pounced on a rebound in front of goal for 11-3. Anastasiia Adikova scored the last three Russian goals before the halftime break. Captain Ekaterina Prokofyeva led a four-goal charge for 17-3; Canada had a penalty attempt saved; Makarova scored twice more for 19-3. Canadian captain Emma Wright backhanded from two metres for 19-4 and Markoch netted her fourth with the third Russian lob goal. Wright scored her second for 20-6 in the fourth before Russia scored the last four.

Match Heroes
Makarova with five goals while Markoch and Adikova slammed in four each. The goalkeepers snared nine saves. For Canada, captain Wright and Mady scored twice each and the goalkeepers made eight saves.

Turning Point
There wasn’t one.

Stats Don’t Lie
Russia converted all four extra-player attempts and Canada three from five. Each team missed a penalty attempt with Russia the only successful scorer with one. Russia stole the ball seven to four and fired in 42 shots to 23.

Match 40. CHINA 23 CROATIA 11 (3-3, 10-1, 6-2, 4-5)

China proved that it is up to its form, improving every match and now qualified for Sydney, where it should give up a strong showing. In fact, the qualified teams from Division I will need to keep a close eye on Russia and China as they world class and eager to get back to the semifinals. Today’s semifinal was interesting in the first quarter, finishing 3-3 after Croatia led twice. This became 4-4 before a three-goal haul took China to 7-4. Iva Rozic had her penalty attempt saved and China applied the afterburners with six unanswered goals for 13-4 at halftime. Yan Siya scored four goals in the period. She started the third with a pair on extra; Yan Jing bachttps://www.worldaquatics.com/athletes?gender=&discipline=&nationality=&name=Shen%20Yinengkhanded at two metres and Nong Sanfeng made it 17-4 from what was now a telling outside-shot invasion. Karla Ruzic responded with her own nine-metre salvo. Ria Glas converted extra from the deep left and China replied for 19-6 at the final break. The match progressed to 22-7 and a Croatian timeout worked wonders with Neli Jankovic converting off a cross pass and a minute later, Rozic backhanded at two metres and Ria Glas scored the last two after a Chinese penalty attempt was thwarted.

Match Heroes
Yan Siya with seven goals, was best in pool. Yan Jing hit four and Zhang Qishuo three. Captain Shen Yineng made 10 saves in goal. Croatian captain Glas topped her team’s scoring with four.

Turning Point
China turning the 3-3 quarter-time break into 13-4 at halftime.

Stats Don’t Lie
China scored a brilliant nine from 11 on extra — tournament best — and defended eight of 13. China scored two from three penalty attempts and Croatia missed its sole chance. The steals went four-three and the shots 34-31.

Classification 5-8 Semifinals

Match 37. BRAZIL 14 GREAT BRITAIN 13 (1-3, 2-5, 7-1, 4-4)

Brazil clinched this match out of the jaws of defeat. Great Britain lost it after being six goals ahead and then watched as a tsunami of Brazilian goals shredded its lead achieved so brilliantly in the first half. The halftime chat for the Brazilians must have been powerful as the stunning third period shows. Katy Cutler scored Britain’s first two in a period of four penalty goals. Cutler converted her second penalty foul to start the second period and 4-1. Toula Falvey shunted in the ball at two metres before Cutler had a penalty shot saved. Jeniffer Cavalcante converted extra off the near post — a Brazilian favourite — and Britain hit the superchargers with three more strikes for 8-2, seemingly impassable. However, a late Brazilian goal made it 8-3 at the long break. Brazil was fired up after the break, sending in three goals before Britain took a timeout. The ploy ended with the shot hitting the right post. Brazil called a timeout and its plot came to fruition through Cavalcante. Leticia Belorio scored her third goal on penalty and Cutler had hers saved. In frustration, she challenged the free thrower and was sent on a third major foul — a critical ejection with 11 minutes still to play. Rebecca Moreira took Brazil into the lead five minutes after being four down. Goals were traded with Brazil entering the final period 10-9 ahead. Amelia Peters grabbed her third goal from the top right to start the final period. However, Nascimento responded. Peters on penalty and captain Kathy Rogers from the top, gave the match back to Britain. However, Nascimento scored three of the last four goals. Izzy Howe netted her second at 2:55 for 13-12, but Nascimento’s extra goal and six-metre free throw score wrapped up the encounter at 1:49.

Match Heroes
Nascimento was best in pool with five goals and Belorio chipped in with three. The Brazilian goalkeepers contributed nine saves. Peters was the best for Britain with four goals and goalie Madeline Brown made nine saves.

Turning Point
Great Britain shunting out to 7-2 and then Brazil’s miraculous 7-1 third period that brought the match from four down to one up.

Stats Don’t Lie
Brazil converted five from 10 on extra and defended five pf eight. Brazil sent in all three penalty chances and Great Britain missed two of seven. Britain won the steals 7-2 but not the shots — 30-26.

Match 38. TURKIYE 16 PORTUGAL 6 (2-1, 4-1, 7-2, 3-2)

Turkiye eased into the play-off for fifth with solid, all-round play and a massive charge in the third quarter. Madalena Lousa started the scoring for Portugal but a pair of Milana Molnar goals had Turkiye in front by the quarter break. Goals were traded then Kubra Kus flicked in a pass to the centre forward with two defenders and the goalkeeper on top of her. She scored the 6-2 goal with a healthy lob to close the half. Portugal made a mini rally early in the third period with Maria Machado and Lousa on counter bringing the score to 7-4. Then Turkiye unleashed the wolves with six straight goals, including three to Elvira Yermakova and Kus adding two more, including a counter-attack lob. It was 13-4 at the last break. Portugal put up stouter defence in the fourth and scored twice to Turkiye’s three with Yermakova nailing extra for Turkiye and Lousa her third with a short drive into the bottom right of the goal.

Match Heroes
Yermakova with five goals and Kus scored three for Turkiye. The goalkeepers made 10 saves. Lousa scored three for Portugal and the goalkeepers also stopped 10.

Turning Point
Turkiye was in control by halftime and the six unanswered goals in the third period hammered the point home.

Stats Don’t Lie
Turkiye converted three from five on extra and defended a huge seven from 10. Turkiye scored the only two penalty goals; the steals were shared at six and the shots favoured Turkiye 33-28.

Classification 9-12 Semifinals

Match 35. KAZAKHSTAN 7 GERMANY 12 (1-4, 3-1, 1-4, 2-3)

Kazakhstan was coming off a lay day and both teams fronted with a win apiece in Malta. Kazakhstan beat South Africa and Germany hammered Slovakia. Today, Germany elevated itself to ninth-place play-off. Germany had the better of the start at 3-0 — the first two goals to Gesa Deike —and a 4-1 margin at the first break. Germany blew two penalty chances in the second quarter, allowing Kazakhstan into the match at 5-3. It became 5-4 when Valeriya Anossova converted extra from the deep left just before halftime. Germany struck back with a vengeance with the first four goals of the third period, only allowing Kazakhstan to slip past through Yuliya Druzhinina, with her second, off the right-post position on extra for 9-5 down. Georgia Sopiadou scored twice in the German surge and Gesa Deike netted a third. Sopiadou opened the fourth with Anna Novikova responding on extra. Germany went to 11-6 and denied Kazakhstan a penalty goal. Belen Vosseberg, who scored that 11^th goal, hit the post on a penalty shot but scored later with a superb turn on the post for 12-6. An extra goal to Germany at 2:37 proved to be the last in a thrilling encounter.

Match Heroes
Sopiadou was adjudged best in water as she, Vosseberg and Gesa Deike scored three goals each. Darja Heinbichner made 11 saves in 29 minutes in the water. Druzhinina scored twice and the Kazakh goalkeepers chimed in with nine saves.

Turning Point
The 3-0 German start and the 8-4 advantage in the third period.

Stats Don’t Lie
Germany converted one from three of extra and Kazakhstan a respectable five from seven. Penalties were a worry with none from two for Kazakhstan and one from three for Germany. The Kazakhs stole the steals five to three and Germany shot more at 31-28.

Match 36. MALTA 9 ARGENTINA 7 (3-2, 0-1, 3-1, 3-3)

Malta turned it on for the home nation in the final match of the day, gaining a second victory following the 14-8 eclipse of South Africa. It now goes to the play-off for ninth against Germany. It was a tough match to win and one of the closest of the whole tournament. Chloe Amato with a pair and captain Elena Borg from very deep right with her left arm gave Malta a 3-2 advantage. Julieta Auliel equalised on penalty early in the second quarter and hit the cross bar late in the period with a second penalty attempt. Borg opened on penalty in the third quarter and Manuela Tamagnone Werbach responded. Borg scored from the top and on penalty for 6-4 late in the period. Maria Canda drilled from the deep left with Borg replying on extra in the next attack. Isabella Mastronardi and Anahi Bacigalupo on extra from wide right, levelled at 7-7, which produced a huge fist-pumping of excitement from the scorer. Malta needed VAR to confirm a penalty foul and Borg obliged for her sixth with Chloe Amato putting the match beyond doubt with a six-metre free throw score at 0:58.

Match Heroes
The “Ice Borg” captain of Malta, Borg, netted six goals and Chloe Amato three. Argentina’s Bacigalupo fired in three and Lola Canales made nine saves in goal.

Turning Point
Malta’s 6-4 advantage; Argentina’s comeback to 7-7 and Malta’s final two goals.

Stats Don’t Lie
Malta converted three from seven on extra and Argentina one from two. On penalties, Malta landed all three and Argentina one from two. The steals were eight apiece and the shooting 32-27 to Argentina.

Classification 13-16 Semifinal

Match 34. SOUTH AFRICA 12 SINGAPORE 11 (3-0, 3-2, 2-2, 4-7)

South Africa will play another day after winning its first match here having fended off a stubborn Singapore, which finishes its campaign in 15^th position. The Africans led by five goals at one stage and watched a four-goal, final-quarter lead shrink to one. South Africa scored three and Singapore had two penalty shots go awry, summing up the first quarter. Hannah Banks opened on counter and Singapore continued its struggle from the five-metre line that has haunted it all week. Nicole Lim opened Singapore’s account at the top of the second quarter with a South African triple sending it out 6-1. Esihle Zondo scored her second from two metres and Cassandra Day grabbed her second from deep right. Charlene Tio responded for 6-2 with a short drive down the middle to score for 6-2 for the halftime score. Catherine Williamson missed her penalty attempt for South Africa but made amends with the 8-3 score with a brilliant turn on the left post. Earlier, Lim opened on counter and Heather Lee finished at 8-4 with a heroic wide shot from the left. Lim opened the fourth period with Boati Motau and Georgia Eccles, for her second, making it 10-5 on counter. Kayla Yeo scored from the deep right with two players on her and then with counter lob for 10-7 at 4:39, bringing Singapore right back in the match. On the next attack, Tio tipped in a cross pass at two metres for 10-8. It became 10-9 on the next attack after a Tio counter shot hit the crossbar and Lim tapped in the rebound. Mia Loizides scored from the deep left on extra at 2:01 for 11-9. Singapore went to a timeout on extra and Lee supplied the goal at 0:39. South Africa used the ball for nearly all the possession time with Eccles firing from 10m to score for 12-10 at 0:15. Singapore called a timeout and Lee made it 12-11 from the wide left with nano-seconds remaining, but it was one goal too little.

Match Heroes
South Africa’s Eccles was named best in pool with three goals, including what was a spectacular winner. Lim scored four and Lee three for Singapore while goalkeeper Mounisha Devi made 13 saves.

Turning Point
The 6-1 advantage that South Africa desperately needed so late in the match as Singapore won the last period 7-4.

Stats Don’t Lie
There was nothing in the stats. South Africa converted one from two and Singapore one from four on extra. On penalties, South Africa missed one of two and Singapore both if its chances. The steals were 5-5 and the shots 32-31.

Day 6 Schedule

Classification 13-14
10:00, Slovakia v South Africa
Classification 11-12
11:30, Kazakhstan v Argentina
Classification 9-10
13:00, Germany v Malta
Classification 7-8
15:00, Great Britain v Portugal
Classification 5-6
16:30, Brazil v Turkiye
Classification 3-4
18:00, Canada v Croatia
Classification 1-2
19:30, Russia v China