Spain and Greece make huge statements

Overview

In Group A, Hungary made it two close wins, downing Netherlands 13-10 and Greece pummelled Italy 21-11 with a big first quarter.

In Group B, China defeated Croatia 16-10 with three positive quarters while host nation and defending champion Spain had the wood over United States of America 16-11.

In Group C, Turkiye ran away with the match in the second half to defeat Colombia 19-14 after being one down at halftime.

In Group D, Canada held off Germany 11-10 with the Germans set to pounce in the dying seconds but unable to get a shot away to force a shootout.

In Group E, Israel was too strong for Zimbabwe, winning 19-5 after a 3-1 opening quarter.

In Group F, Serbia held out Brazil 12-11 with the only quarter of separation being the 7-6 second-period.

Match Reports

Match 19 Group D. CANADA 11 GERMANY 10 (2-2, 3-3, 4-3, 2-2)

Canada held off a defiant Germany with heavy pressure in the dying seconds that stopped Germany from equalising and forcing a shootout. After a drawn first quarter, Germany put the foot on the accelerator and sent in three straight at the start of the second quarter. Nele Politze added a second with a missile from about 10m; Lucy Schussler went on counter and Emma Fehmel converted extra from top left. Canada pulled out all stops and converted a penalty through McKenna Pineda-McLean and two more action goals to bring up 5-5 by halftime. Pineda-McLean started the second half and Adelyn Kyfiuk, who collected both Canadian goals in the first quarter, jumped on a rebound at centre forward to net Canada’s seventh goal. Politze replied on penalty before Kyfiuk scored from deep right and Pineda-McLean put away another penalty goal. Germany bounced back with a penalty goal and Schussler finished counter on the cross pass for 9-8 at 1:52, which turned out to be the score at the last break. Fehmel levelled on extra at 3:43 in the final period. Canada went to a timeout and soon after gained a penalty foul, which Pineda-McLean converted — her third. Clara Milleker Shyiak turned at deep left to score for 11-9 at 1:02. Bianca Mitterbauer, who made the 7-7 penalty score for Germany, slotted a goal from deep right at 0:44 for 11-10. Time ran out for Canada and Germany had possession for the last 15 seconds. A timeout was called at 0:09, but the resulting passes forgot to shoot and the buzzer sounded, Canada winning the match.

Match Heroes
Canadian captain Pineda-McLean topped the scoring with four goals. Germany’s Politze nailed three and goalkeeper Maria Sekulic stopped 12 shots.

Turning Point
Canada moving from 5-2 down to 7-5 ahead and then to 9-6. It was enough to make Germany work hard.

Stats Don’t Lie
Canada converted two from four on extra and Germany two from six. Both teams sent in three penalty goals. Canada took the steals at seven-four and the shots at 33-24.

Match 10. Group E, ISRAEL 19 ZIMBABWE 5 (3-1, 7-3, 4-0, 5-1)

Israel entered the competition with a big win while Zimbabwe drops to bottom of the group with two losses. Emily Lutz began the scoring for Zimbabwe with an unusual goal, on counter with the goalkeeper coming out to contest. She turned the goalie and swam into goal, scoring unopposed, but Israel needed nearly five minutes to warm to the match, scoring three goals before the first break. With Gili Borenstein gathering her second, Israel shot out to 5-1 before Lutz struck again. Borenstein gained her third as Israel moved to 9-2. A mini revival for Israel garnered two goals through Natasha Chaniwa on extra and Tariro Muhomba from the field. Avia Gudes stopped the scoring 14 seconds from time and a 10-4 halftime advantage. Borenstein scored twice more in the third, Teva Dorfman added a third to start the final period with Dorfman and a Gudes pair followed by another Borenstein strike for 19-4 at 2:46. Muhomba scored again at 1:59, which proved to be the final score.

Match Heroes
Borenstein slammed in six goals for Israel and Dorfman three while goalkeeper Maya Leib dragged in nine saves. Muhomba scored twice for Zimbabwe.

Turning Point
Israel coming from one down to 5-1 ahead.

Stats Don’t Lie
Israel converted four from eight on extra and stopped four from five. Israel won the steals nine to four and the shooting at 39-20.

Match 11. Group F, SERBIA 12 BRAZIL 11 (1-1, 7-6, 2-2, 2-2)

Serbia took the lead off Brazil, survived four tied results and pulled away just enough to keep the rampaging Maiah Nascimento at bay. It was Nascimento who kept her team in the match and when she produced a “helicopter” shot for 12-11 at 1:18 in the last quarter, the match was there for winning. However, she could not provide another. It was a thrilling encounter and Serbia did well to fend off Brazil who led 2-1, came back to level three, four and five before Masa Cuk started the break at 6-5 with her second goal. Nika Ratkovic grabbed a second for 7-5 and that was where Serbia took control. Serbia surged to 10-7 with a Nascimento pair narrowing it to 10-9 at the last break. Masa Cuk scored first in the final quarter and nearly five minutes later, Nascimento went to the penalty line. Her shot hit the bar and she snapped up the rebound and scored for 11-10. Just 20 seconds later, Elena Cuk scored her second with a sliding shot into the bottom left for a two-goal difference. At 1:18, Nascimento scored her “helicopter” shot (backhanding one way after seemingly going the other) off a six-metre foul. The ball hit the bar and the back of the goalkeeper to go into goal. Each side took a timeout with the shots saved.

Match Heroes
Masa Cuk scored three for Serbia and goalkeeper Lena Petkovic made seven saves. Nascimento was the highest achiever with seven goals and Ingrid Goncalves took in 12 balls at the goalmouth.

Turning Point
Serbia turning the 2-1 score against into 6-5 where Brazil could not level again.

Stats Don’t Lie
Serbia buried four from six on extra and Brazil two from five. Serbia scored both penalty attempts and Brazil missed one. Brazil took the steals six to four but Serbia was better on shots at 31-30.

Match 12. Group C. COLOMBIA 14 TURKIYE 19 (4-3, 5-5, 2-5, 3-6)

Colombia entered the competition and proved up to the task with a fantastic first three quarters. Turkiye made the plays to 3-2 with Colombia striking twice inside the last two minutes for the quarter-time advantage. At 5-3 in the second, it looked good for the newcomer. Turkiye was coming off a first-day, one-goal defeat, so was looking for something better. Nina Bozkurt provided the Turkish spark followed by two Defne Keremoglu scores — the first on penalty. It became 7-5 to Turkiye but Maria Bula and Ainhoa Velez, with her second, equalising. Bozkurt on penalty and two action goals from Salome Agudelo and Velez gave the lead back to Colombia at halftime — 9-8. Naz Ozdemir and Keremoglu regained that lead. Agudelo equalised on penalty before Ozdemir also struck from five metres. Eda Moroglu and Agudelo swapped goals as Turkiye went to the last break at 13-11. Colombia was broken when Keremoglu struck three times and Bozkurt and Moroglu once each for 18-11. Agudelo broke the rhythm and Moroglu responded. Two late Colombian goals showed there was still some energy left in the team.

Match Heroes
Keremoglu netted six to take her tally to 11; Bozkurt nailed four and Moroglu and captain Ozdemir three each for Turkiye. The goalkeepers shared 10 saves. For Colombia, Agudelo tripped in five and Velez three.

Turning Point
Colombia going 5-3 up; Turkiye going 7-5 ahead; Colombia shooting to 9-8 and in control at 10-10 before wilting badly.

Stats Don’t Lie
Both teams were perfect on their two extra plays and again perfect with penalties at three (TUR) and four (COL). Colombia took the steals at nine to five and Turkiye the shots at 31-29.Turkiye

Match 13. Group B, CROATIA 10 CHINA 16 (2-4, 4-3, 2-3, 2-6)

China made up for its 10-goal loss to United States of America on day one with a handy result against Croatia. Senior Croatian star Neli Jankovic began proceedings with a six-metre, free throw but China hit back strongly with four goals, including a pair to Chinese senior international Zhang Jingwen. Lara Srhoj responded for 4-2 at the first break. Zhang Jingwen sandwiched Jankovic’s strike and another trade had it at 7-4. Jankovic and Srhoj scored on extra and penalty for 7-6 behind at the long break. Yi Xiyao, who scored in each of the first two periods, covered Nina Jazvin, another senior star, with a pair. Srhoj on penalty and Yin Yiting on extra closed the third period at 10-8. Jankovic opened the fourth for a one-goal difference, but it was downhill from there for the Europeans as China went on a five-goal charge, thanks to a Zhang Jingwen double. Jankovic converted another penalty but it was Zhang Jingwen who closed the scoring at 16-10, 12 seconds from time.

Match Heroes
Zhang Jingwen topped all scorers with seven and Yi Xiyao added four more. Chinese goalkeeper Zhang Xiwen made 12 saves. For Croatia, senior internationals Jankovic snared five and Srhoj three.

Turning Point
China going to 4-1 and later from 10-9 to 15-9.

Stats Don’t Lie
China won the extra situations with weight from 12 and stopping two of three. Both teams converted three penalty fouls; Croatia took the steals at four-three while China won the shooting 55.2 per cent to 34.5.

Match 14. Group A, NETHERLANDS 10 HUNGARY 13 (2-4, 2-3, 3-2, 3-4)

Hungary secured its second victory, leaving Netherlands with two losses. Despite some gaps this was a tight encounter with the Dutch getting to 3-1 and 4-2 in the first period to assert their authority. Kincso Kenez struck twice in the period. Mandula Mihok opened the second quarter with Adrienn Hetzl adding her second for 6-2. Netherlands scored two of the next three goals for 7-4 down at the long break. Marjolein de Gier and Lin Godefrooij pulled it back to one to start the second half. Freia Toth and Kenez pushed it out to 9-6 with Godefrooij replying with six seconds left on the clock. Mihok scored twice at the top of the fourth with Godefrooij and de Gier keeping pace. Kenez converted a penalty foul and Mihok netted on action for 13-9 at 3:52, safe enough. A Hungarian timeout yielded nothing but Netherlands did convert on extra after its timeout, de Gier making the final score at 13-10, 46 seconds from the final buzzer.

Match Heroes
Hungarian captain Kenez and Mihok scored four each while de Gier and Godefrooij netted a hat-trick each for the Dutch.

Turning Point
Hungary had to break away several times but the most important was going from 11-9 to 13-9 in the final quarter.

Stats Don’t Lie
Hungary converted three from six on extra and Netherlands four from seven. Hungary scored the only two penalty goals; won the steals 10-to seven and the overall shooting at 50-37 per cent.

Match 16. Group A, GREECE 21 ITALY 11 (8-1, 3-2, 6-3, 4-5)

Greece arrived at the party faster than Italy did and the first-quarter score of 8-1 was quite damaging. Italy lost to Hungary by a goal a day before. Greece was returning after a four-goal win over Netherlands. The next three quarters were 13-10 and the last two periods 10-8, so there was life in Italy, after all. Androniki Karagianni opened all scoring on extra nearly two minutes in, then Afroditi Bitsakou added two more in the first-quarter romp. Malika Bovo converted extra for 3-1 to give Italy some relief. Italy was defensive and Greece struggled to find a way through in the second quarter, Rafaela Saltamanika converting a penalty at 4:22. Bitsakou and Lara Bianco traded with another swap involving Bianco lifting the score to 11-3 at the long break. Bovo scored twice as the score marched to 13-5. Karagianni and Bovo exchanged before Greece finished the period at 17-6 thanks to an Emmanouela Kapetopoulou finish at 1:11. The final quarter belonged to Italy with Margherita Minuto on form with two goals and other chances. However, Greece won the day  21-11.

Match Heroes
Karagianni slotted four; Kapetopoulou and Bitsakou with three each for Greece. Bovo was best for Italy with five, lifting her tally to nine.

Turning Point
The opening period proved too much for Italy.

Stats Don’t Lie
Greece converted eight from 11 on extra and stopped seven of 10. Greece scored one and Italy two on penalty; Greece won the steals 11-eight and on shooting, led 70 to 39.3 per cent.

Match 15. Group B, SPAIN 16 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 11 (5-3, 2-5, 6-2, 3-1)

Spain did not disappoint the home crowd. However, stout USA resistance meant the match was not in control in the first half. Yes, Spain went to 5-2 with Maria Manso the only double scorer. But USA grabbed one back before the break  and two Margaret Ryan scores helped USA to 7-5 by 3:30. Ona Jurado, scored twice more, bookending a Ryan penalty goal for 8-7 behind at halftime. Emerson Mulvey scored her second to start the second half, netting on extra for a 9-7 USA advantage. Martina Fernandez grabbed her second from in front of goal and Marina Munoz chipped in two, the second on extra, as Spain re-took the lead at 10-9. Kirra Pantaleon nailed her second from two metres and it was 10-10 at 3:43. Urged on by the huge crowd, Munoz netted twice and senior international Queralt Anton closed the quarter at 13-10 with a buzzer-beater from outside. Fernandez and Frigola pumped the score to 15-10 early in the fourth period. Raisin and Frigola traded and Ryan’s final penalty shot hit wood, leaving Spain a 16-11 victor.

Match Heroes
Munoz with four Spanish goals, maintaining her average; Jurado, Frigola and Fernandez with three each. Ryan notched three for USA.

Turning Point
The third period where Spain took control.

Stats Don’t Lie
Spain had the better of all the stats. It converted all three extra chances to five from seven; converted one penalty foul to two from three; won the steals eight to seven and the shooting at 48.5 per cent to 36.7.

Progress Points

Group A: Greece 6, Hungary 6, Netherlands 0, Italy 0.
Group B: Spain, 6, USA 3, China 3, Croatia 0.
Group C: New Zealand 3, Turkiye 3, Colombia 0.
Group D: Canada 3, Germany 3, Malta 0.
Group E: Israel 3, South Africa 3, Zimbabwe 0.
Group F: Australia 3, Serbia 3, Brazil 0.

Day 3 Schedule

09:00, Group E, South Africa v Israel
10:30, Group F, Australia v Serbia
12:00, Group C, New Zealand v Colombia
13:30, Group D, Malta v Canada
15:00, Group A, Hungary v Greece
16:30, Group A, Netherlands v Italy
18:00, Group A, Croatia v United States of America
19:30, Group B, China v Spain