OGQT Women's Water Polo Day 2: Former champions battle to a draw

Match 6, 14:00, Group B, HUNGARY 23 KAZAKHSTAN 6

Quarters: 7-2, 6-3, 5-1, 5-0

Referees: Asumi Tsuzaki (JPN), Alessandro Severo (ITA).

Shots: HUN: 23/33. KAZ: 6/30.

Extra Man: HUN: 7/10. KAZ: 2/7

Pens: HUN: 3/5. KAZ: 1/3

Teams:

HUNGARY: Edina Gangl, Dorottya Szilagyi (2/3), Vanda Valyi (1/2), Greta Gurisatti (4/5), Gabriella Szucs, Rebecca Parkes (2/3), Anna Illes (0/1), Rita Keszthelyi (9/11), Dora Leimeter (3/4), Aniko Gyongyossy (1/2), Natasa Rybanska (0/1), Krisztina Garda (1/1), Alda Magyari. Head Coach: Attila Biro.

KAZAKHSTAN: Alexandra Zharkimbayeva, Darya Pochinok (0/3), Aizhan Akilbayeva (0/6), Anna Turova (1/4), Anastassiya Yeremina (1/2), Darya Roga (2/6), Anna Novikova (0/1), Darya Muravyeva (0/1), Nadezhda Shapovalova, Viktoriya Khritankova (0/2), Madina Rakhmanova, Anastassiya Murataliyeva (2/5), Azhar Alibayeva. Head Coach: Marat Naurazbekov.

photo credit Andrea Staccioli / DBM

Hungary was always going to hold the upper hand , but skipper Rita Keszthelyi led by example in the opening quarter with four goals as Hungary shot out to 7-1 before a Kazakh goal two seconds from time by Darya Roga needed a review before it was awarded. Keszthelyi proved why she is one of the best players in the world, whether it is shooting from out the top or driving down the middle, or from the deep-left position. Her class and her finishing with nine goals helped set the seal on the match early. Kazakhstan went for penalty fouls, but gained just one and that shot was blocked by Alda Magyari, who started in the goals. Hungary converted both its chances. The match changed dramatically in the second quarter as Kazakhstan shifted up a gear and went toe to toe with Hungary, forcing many poor finishes. Kazakhstan brought it back to 8-4 with Anna Turova scoring her first goal of the tournament, and then 9-5 before a chance to convert a penalty, only for it to miss. Then Hungary forced the point and shovelled in four goals in the last two and a half minutes, the final nail coming from Keszthelyi for her sixth goal, steering in a long ball from Natasa Rybanska to the three-metre line on the buzzer. Hungary was comfortably 13-5 up at the halfway mark. Yes, Keszthelyi scored twice more in the third period (to bring her tally to eight), won 5-1 as Kazakhstan could only gain one penalty goal through Roga. Centre forward Rebecca Parkes and Keszthelyi both scored swim-away counter goals. Keszthelyi tried to pull a penalty foul on counter early in the fourth period, to no avail as two defenders valiantly caught her. Szilagyi was thwarted in the same manner on the next Hungarian attack. Kazakhstan was fighting hard to withstand the juggernaut but the final period was scoreless as Hungary hammered in another five goals with Keszthelyi nabbing her ninth (and 14^th for the tournament) on extra-player attack form four metres. It was Hungary’s day, although Kazakhstan attacked better than the opening day against Greece, another tough opponent.

Attila Biro (HUN) — Head Coach

“I think the staff and myself should feel very confident about this game. This was a stronger team like yesterday and I think it is a better result than yesterday. The team woke up in time, not like yesterday when it wasn’t so good. The first quarter wasn’t so good yesterday, but tonight the first quarter was much better and the first half of the game was much better. Every player almost scored a goal, so it is good preparation for tomorrow (against Greece).”

Rita Keszthelyi (HUN) — Nine Goals

“Yes, we are really happy because we started with this game very well and this was the main point. If we can start this game well, I think tomorrow can be easier, so I am really happy because we just get six goals and the defence was so good, so really we are waiting for tomorrow’s game because it will be a big game.”

Match 8, 16:00, Group B, GREECE 20 ISRAEL 1

Quarters: 7-0, 3-0, 5-1, 5-0

Referees: Svetlana Dreval (RUS), Robert Horvath (SVK).

Shots: GRE: 20/42. ISR: 1/22.

Extra Man: GRE: 2/5. ISR: 0/6.

Pens: GRE: 2/2. ISR: Nil.

Teams:

GREECE: Chrsyoula Diamantopoulou, Christina Tsoukala (4/8), Foteini Tricha (0/1), Nikoleta Eleftheriadou (2/2), Margarita Plevritou (1/3), Eleni Xenaki (4/10), Eirini Ninou (0/3), Maria Patra, Christina Kotsia (0/1), Vasiliki Plevritou (0/1), Eleftheria Plevritou (7/7), Maria Myriokefalitaki (2/6), Ioanna Stamatopoulou. Head Coach: Theodoros Lorantos.

ISRAEL: Ayeley Peres, Alma Yaacobi (0/2), Tahel Levi (0/1), Maria Bogachenko( 0/6), Kerem Noy, Hila Futorian (0/1), Yahav Farkash (0/2), Dar Menakerman (0/2), Eden Tal (0/2), Noa Sasover, Nofar Hochberg (1/5), Ronny Gazit (0/1), Inbar Geva. Head Coach: Dimitrios Mavrotas.

photo credit Andrea Staccioli / DBM

Greece, fresh from a 13-5 opener against Kazakhstan, was happy to bank a second win in the lead-up to Thursday’s all-important, top-of-the-table clash with Hungary. These matches are important and respect was shown throughout. Israel tried to stem the early tide and it took until late in the third period before its one goal eventuated. By then, Greece had amassed 15 goals. Early steals set up the first two goals and two counter-attack goals had Greece flowing nicely at 5-0. Centre forward Eleni Xenaki, who was not allowed to shine against Kazakhstan on Tuesday, turned for her first goal at 6-0; drew a penalty and converted at 8-0; fired in a left-handed backhand for 13-0 and then used her full strength to turn and surge forward to score at 17-1. At the 15-0 mark, Maria Myriokefalitaki scored at centre and made contact with goalkeeper Ayeley Peres, affecting her right eye. She was dragged from the water and played no more part in the match. It was excellent warm-up for the tougher matches ahead. What can we say about Eleftheria Plevritou? Seven goals from seven shots! She scored three from counter, including the first from her steal at two metres and four from the left-hand-catch position. The other was from the deep right. Christina Tsoukala’s four goals added to her six from Tuesday. Greece now has the tantalising romp with Hungary and Israel will meet Kazakhstan in Thursday’s final preliminary round.

Antigoni Roumpesi (GRE) — Assistant Coach

“We expected a game like yesterday. We stayed focused for our target and we see, you know, every day a new game and the important thing is to stay focused for our target. Because of the situation, we don’t have a lot of games, so every game it’s very important for our team to be ready at the right time.”

Match 5, 18:00, Group A, NETHERLANDS 7 ITALY 7

Quarters: 2-1, 1-2, 3-3, 1-1

Referees: Boris Margeta (SLO), Nenad Peris (CRO).

Shots: NED: 7/27. ITA: 7/31.

Extra Man: NED: 4/8. ITA: 3/7.

Pens: NED: Nil. ITA: Nil.

Teams:

NETHERLANDS: Joanne Koenders, Maud Megens, Dagmar Genee (1/3), Sabrina van der Sloot (1/3), Iris Wolves (0/1), Nomi Stomphorst (0/2), Bente Rogge (1/3), Vivian Sevenich (0/1), Maartje Keuning (1/5), Ilse Koolhaas (1/4), Simone van de Kraats (2/3), Brigitte Sleeking (0/2), Debby Willemsz. Head Coach: Arno Havenga.

ITALY: Giulia Gorlero, Chiara Tabani (2/7), Arianna Garibotti (0/1), Silvia Avegno (0/3), Elisa Queirolo, Rosaria Aiello (0/1), Claudia Marletta (2/4), Roberto Bianconi (0/5), Sofia Giustini (1/4), Valeria Palmieri (1/2), Izabella Chiappini (1/2), Giulia Viacava (0/2), Fabiano Sparano. Head Coach: Paolo Zizza.

photo credit Andrea Staccioli / DBM

For the first time in Trieste we had two teams clashing who are certainly in the mix for Tokyo. The fact that they were two former Olympic champions also made it all the more mouth-watering. They have both won five European crowns and garnered five World Championship medals. The last three years, the teams have met 11 times, Italy winning five of those matches and the Netherlands four. The fact that it ended a draw was also no surprise and the high quality typified the two teams. Both teams pressed out and caused many outside shots to be taken while in some extra-man situations the shot was not taken within the time limit, such was the pressure. The match was level at every number with Claudia Marletta twice taking Italy ahead with the first and seventh goals. Netherlands went ahead at 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, 5-4, 6-5, but Italy levelled through Chiara Tabani with her second goal at 6-6 on counter, accepting a cross pass from her left. Marletta’s go-ahead goal to open the final-quarter scoring at 4:25 came from the deep left and squeezed past the first “field goalkeeper” and the regular keeper as the Dutch put three into the cage. The equaliser came at 1:02 through Maartje Keuning who gained a quick cross pass on extra-player attack before the defence could adjust. Both teams took timeouts in the final minute with no effect, Italy failing to get a shot away and Netherlands taking a last-gasp shot from wide right. It was an enthralling match where both teams played excellent water polo; pressuring the centre forward, meaning no goals from that position to either team. The defensive arms and excellent goalkeeping helped keep the score low. The goalkeeper statistics tell a story with Italy’s Giulia Gorlero dragging down 11 and Netherlands’ Debby Willemsz eight in her three periods. Now it remains for the goal differential to be sorted to see who wins the group, with Netherlands playing France in the tougher of the two group matches tomorrow and Italy taking on Slovakia.

Arno Havenga (NED) — Head Coach

“I think it was a really tough game and if you look at our performance, I am really satisfied the way we played — the first game of this high level since the 25^th of February and the same counts for Italy as they haven’t played any game also since that period. It’s good to see that you don’t lose too much of your quality… we made it a nice game and it was a nice moment to see where we are. You miss the rhythm of games on this level. We missed a few opportunities to score an extra goal. We missed good opportunities; this is the next step we need to make in the next few days… this is what we missed. If you look at the physical condition, we can be satisfied.”

Match 7, 20:00, Group A, FRANCE 17 SLOVAKIA 9

Quarters: 5-2, 1-5, 6-1, 5-1

Referees: Gabriella Varkonyi (HUN), Matan Schwartz (ISR).

Shots: FRA: 17/36. SVK: 9/31.

Extra Man:  FRA: 1/3. SVK: ¼.

Pens: FRA: 2/2. SVK: Nil.

Teams:

FRANCE: Csenge Gaal, Estelle Millot (1/2), Gabrielle Fitaire, Camelia Bouloukbachi (1/2), Louise Guillet (5/10), Geraldine Mahieu, Juliette Dhalluin (1/3), Valentine Heurtaux (1/2), Ema Vernoux (4/9), Steffy Michaud, Yaelle Deschampt (2/5), Camille Radosavljevic (2/3), Lou Counil. Head Coach: Florian Bruzzo.

SLOVAKIA: Emma Dvoranova, Beata Kovacikova (0/3), Anastasija Halocka (2/4), Barbora Kvasnicova (0/1), Martina Kiernoszova, Monika Sedlakova (1/2), Natalia Peckova (3/6), Karin Kackova (0/1), Miroslava Stankovianska (1/4), Ivana Majlathova (0/2), Daniela Katlovska (2/7), Katarina Kissova (0/1), Kristina Horvathova. Head Coach: Milan Henkrich.

photo credit Andrea Staccioli / DBM

This was one of the more unusual matches you get to watch from time to time. The score was heavily in favour of France, but Slovakia opened the scoring, saw the margin slip out to 5-1 against and staged a remarkable recovery that had the French stunned. The loss of concentration by France was evident as Slovakia backed itself and sent in four unanswered goals straddling the first break. Three came to start the second period for a tremendous recovery and that meant 5-5. France replied to restore the order and lead until Slovakia burst through with three straight, taking the 7-6 lead at the major break and slotting the opening goal of the third period. The match was on a knife’s edge and was looking good for Slovakia. Then the avalanche came from the nearby French Alps as the shutters went up and goals started raining into the Slovakian goal — 11 to be exact — before Monika Sedlakova scored once against the grain, accepting a near-post pass on extra to close the scoring at 17-9 at 3:23. No more goals came. There were exceptionally targeted goals with Natalia Peckova scoring two of her three goals from identical circumstance, lobbing into the top right from outside for consecutive Slovakian goals at five and six. Her earlier effort came from downtown and sent in a long lob for 5-3. Louise Guillet was kept busy with 10 attempts, five of them successful, including a brilliant steal, counter and eventual lob for the 12^th French goal. Her opening goal came from a cross pass to far left and she just flicked it into the cage, while there were two counter-attack goals and two from the penalty line. Ema Vernoux, who scored an outside rocket on Tuesday, did it twice more in her four-goal haul. Slovakia may have lost and now out of Olympic contention, but exposure at this level and the show put on today shows that it could be in line for more top competition. France needs to do the unthinkable against Netherlands on Thursday to have any chance of heading to Tokyo.

Florian Bruzzo (FRA) — Head Coach

“We had a good start and then we stopped to play (second quarter). We make two or three difficult mistakes; it cost a lot; then Slovakia started to believe in themselves and it was a tough game until the middle of the third and then we played at a high level. They keep their head high and keep their confidence, just like the exercises we do every day in training. We didn’t have any rhythm, so it’s impossible to score if you don’t have rhythm in the pass and to move without the ball. I am just happy because they reacted good. We have a pretty young team. They put a lot of pressure on themselves and we try to work on it because they are 17, 16, 18, 19 and we have a couple of players with experience. but most of the team is young, so I am happy that they play these kind of games and they react well in these situations.”