Spain wins 23-goal epic against Hungary, Greece stuns the Serbs
Spain won an outstanding battle against Hungary, arguably the best match of the tournament so far and will meet Greece in the final as the latter team stunned the Serbs in the second semi-final. The first one was a real thriller where Hungary took a flying start but the Spaniards came back from three goals down and with some outstanding defending in the third period they stopped the roaring Magyars to win 12-11 in this epic game producing 70 shots. Then Serbia led till the middle of the third period, but at 7-5 they began to waste the best chances, including a second penalty, then three man-ups in the last two minutes and the Greeks' disciplined and enthusiastic play brought its result, a fine 9-8 win.
Spain's heroes: Unai Aguirre posted 18 saves while Lluc Bertan (top picture) scored 4 goals – Credit (all photos): Noemi Kondor
Hungary continued flying high with the speed they gained their heroic eight-final win and their flawless performance against Montenegro – that sent them 4-1 ahead after eight minutes. Thoguh the Spaniards started climbing back, at 7-4, still in the second, the Magyars seemed to keep the game under control. But their rivals found the tools to beat the Hungarians goalie who conceded 6 goals against the US and 3 against the Montenegrins but now Mark Grieszbacher had to be substituted at the beginning of the third when the Spaniards equalised for 7-7. Soon they were 7-8 up, but to enhance the drama, the hosts' reserve goalie Daniel Korom stopped a penalty and after a goalless struggle of 11:21 minutes the Magyars could level the score at 8-8. With two fast goals Spain went 8-10 up and they still had a 9-11 lead with 3:28 to go. But the Hungarians fought on and in a span of 27 seconds they managed to go even again and there were still 2:08 minutes left from the game. Though Spain's man-up had gone, after the save and the ensuing corner-throw they could set up their centre-forward Oscar Asensio who decided the match with a brilliant goal while the home guys were unable to convert their last 6 on 5 – so just like in last year's semi-final at the U17 Europeans, Spain bettered Hungary once more.
Beating the Serbs in water polo is a huge feat at any level in any age-group – the Greek did in a World Championship semi-final
The contest of the two last unbeaten teams saw the Serbs leading by two goals for most of the time in the first half and even in the third. However, after 7-5 they missed a crucial man-up, later a penalty (the second in the match) and soon the Greeks started rolling. Early in the fourth they expanded their rush to 0-4 and even though the Serbs could pull one back they missed their last three (!) 6 on 5s as the Greek defence worked properly.
Italy didn't really let the Aussies into the game
In the first game played for the 5-8th place, Croatia jumped to a 7-2 lead by halftime with a great 5-1 run in the second period. Even if the Montenegrins had some better spells in the third, they couldn't come closer than three goal. Then, at the beginning of the fourth, the five-goal cushion was reset and the game was virtually decided there. Indeed, the second half turned into a scoring festival, while the first half produced 9 goals, the second brought 16, eight goals apiece.
Soon the Italians joined them as they downed the Aussies in eight minutes. They gained a 0-6 lead in the first period and even if had an 11:10-minute silence, their rivals could only come back to 6-3 at the beginning of the third and soon the Italians were back and settled everything by scoring four more goals in this period.
The previous matches saw mostly one-sided contests. The US team started rolling in the second period against Russia, won the middle two quarters 8-2 and gained a comfortable win to clinch the 9th place. Brazil was merciless against 11-men and worn-out Colombia and booked the 11th place. Egypt downed New Zealand for the 13th place, and Canada did the same with the Saudis for the 17th position. The morning saw two close fights: South Africa came from behind to beat Argentina, Todd Howard netted 6, including the last two in the last two minutes. The opening match ended in a penalty shootout, China overcame Uzbekistan and even though they couldn't win a game in regular time in the tournament, they still finished 19th.
Schedule, Day 10
Final
16.45: Spain v Greece
Bronze medal match
15.15: Hungary v Serbia
For places 5-6th
13.45: Croatia v Italy
For places 7-8th
12.15: Montenegro v Australia
Rankings
9. United States
10. Russia
11. Brazil
12. Colombia
13. Egypt
14. New Zealand
15. South Africa
16. Argentina
17. Canada
18. Saudi Arabia
19. China
20. Uzbekistan
Match reports
Game 67, 18.30 – Semi-final: Hungary v Spain 11-12
Quarters: 4-1, 3-5, 0-2, 4-4
Referees: Sebastien Dervieux (FRA), Andrija Duraskovic (MNE)
HUNGARY
Mark Grieszbacher (4/11, 36%), Daniel Korom (6/11, 55%) – Laszlo Szieben (0/0), Botond Bobis (4/8), Benedek Baksa (3/7), Oliver Fodor (0/0), Norman Schmolcz (0/2), Dome Dala (0/2), Tamas Csorba (1/2), Zsombor Szeghalmi (0/0), Gergo Fekete (2/6), Bendeguz Ekler (1/1), Akos Vekony (0/1). Head coach: Janos Horvath
SPAIN
Unai Aguirre (18/29, 62%), Viktor Garcia (GK2, n. e.) – Bernat Sanahuja (3/9), Oscar Asensio (1/4), Sergio Prieto (2/3), Pau Linares (0/1), Joan Coloma (0/3), Lluc Bertan (5/7), Echevarria Rodriguez (0/2), Oscar Montas (0/0), Guillem Friogola (0/1), Victor Alegre (0/1), Ivan Alcon (1/2). Head coach: Javier Sanchez
Shots:
HUN: 11/34
ESP: 12/36
Extramen:
HUN: 3 for 10
ESP: 5 for 9
Penalties:
HUN: 3 for 4
ESP: 0 for 1
No seats remained unoccupied in the temporary stands as more than 2,000 fans wanted to see the home side making the final – though the Spanish team showed some brilliant form as well. Just 27 seconds into the game the crowd already was already on its feet as Gergo Fekete scored from the centre, soon he delivered a penalty, Benedek Baksa converted, 80 seconds gone and the hosts were 2-0 up. His next attempt under pressure was stopped by the goalie and the Spanish also stopped the Magyars’ run as Lluc Bertan put away their first extra from the back. The ball was stolen in a Spanish man-up, then Akos Vekony’s penalty was well saved by Unai Aguirre – but leaving Baksa unmarked at 5m proved to be a wrong idea soon and he sent a bouncing shot to the net for 3-1 with 1:55 to go in the first. The Hungarian blocks worked well and Tamas Csorba scored from a dying man-up after a recovered ball from the first shot so the hosts enjoyed a 4-1 lead after eight minutes.
Mark Grieszbacher showed his first big save in a man-down, then Fekete fought himself into shooting position but Aguirre made a crucial catch and Sanahuja Bernat could beat the goalie with an action shot from the outside. It looked to be a crucial moment as it could have been 5-1, instead the Spaniards had a man-up for 4-3 but Grieszbacher made another save. Aguirre also was on fire and soon it was 4-3 indeed, Ivan Alcon found the bottom left corner from an outside shot. The Magyars reacted well, Botond Bobis netted a 6 on 5 with safe hand but the Spaniards could go on with scoring action goals, Prieto added the next, still, Bobis was merciless once more, again from a man-up, then he buried a penalty for 7-4, with 2:28 to go till the middle break. Aguirre had another important save on Baksa’s shot from a 6 on 5 (it could have been +4) and Bertan targeted the ball precisely to avoid Grieszbacher’s left and soon he lobbed the goalie from a free-throw with only 1.2sec remaining. So it stood 7-6 as Grieszbacher seemed to struggle with the balls sent to his left hand (the last four Spanish goals all went in there).
When Sergio Prieto scored from the first man-up in the third for 7-7, it was time to go for the home hero of the previous two matches – but the side-effects of the previous minutes stayed with the team as Bobis hit the bar from the next extra. The Magyars hurried some shots but Aguierre and the woodwork stood tall and soon the Spaniards took the lead to expand their rush to 0-4 as Bertan netted his fourth from a 6 on 5. The Spanish defence could mark better Fekete in the centre so the Magyars’ offence was frozen, however, the incoming goalie Daniel Korom boosted his mates' spirits by stopping Sanahuja's penalty in a crucial moment. Giving away the ball from the first pass in a man-up after a time-out didn’t help the home side and they missed their last few-second extra at the end thus left the pool for the last break without scoring in the entire period. In this phase Korom delivered a couple of important saves, still, the Hungarians were trailing by one before the final period (lost the middle two 3-7).
After 11:52 minutes the Magyars could finally score again, Baksa put the ball away from 2m in an extra but the Spaniards responded brilliantly, with back-to-back free-throw goals from Sanahuja and Bertan they jumped to an 8-10 lead in a span of 57 seconds (these two scored 8 goals combined). At the other end the Spanish defence did a tremendous job, they smartly mixed the hard pressing on the perimeter to block the feeding of the centre-forward, and the zone-defending.
Hungary’s last chance for any kind of recovery was a technical break due to a crucial monitor’s failure at the jury table with 4:11 to go (right after their time-out finished). It seemed to help a bit, Fekete regained some strength and scored a big one from the centre afer the restart but the Spaniards also kept their composure and Bernat sent the ball home from the wing in their next extra. When Aguirre posted three saves in a row, the first two in man-down it seemed that it was over the hosts.
It was not. They gathered all they had in the tank, managed to earn a penalty, Bendeguz Ekler buried it with 2:35 remaining. And soon it was even: Alcon sent a shot wide, Bobis turned, gained a stroke advantage on the left wing, got a precise assist and pushed the ball through Aguirre’s arms from a counter – in 27 seconds the Magyars were back at 11-11. With 1:38 to go Spain could play in extra after a time-out, Korom made the save but after the corner the Spaniards could feed Oscar Asensio in the centre and he was able to grab the ball while pressed by two defenders and scored a goal what turned out to be the winner. Hungary got a last chance, a 6 on 5, but the crucial pass was stolen in the air and even if Korom stopped a forced one-on-one at the other end with 0:06 on the clock, Fekete turned back unmarked but he had to shoot the ball under time pressure from 10m and Aguirre stopped it to put a worthy end to the best match of the tournament.
The Spanish keeper was picked the game’s MVP (again after the quarters), he was really tremendous, had 18 (!) saves on 29 shots for 62% – the two Hungarians had 10 combined (on 22 shots), so the stats highlighted the fact which really made the difference today.
Janos Horvath, head coach, Hungary:
"I think we lost to the strongest team here. This game recalled the memories from last year when they beat us the same way, we managed to take some lead early on but they could turn it. They have a very well-organised and aggressive defending style and and attack smartly. In my team we lacked the usual support of our goalie who couldn't handle the shots sent to his left hand despite we were preparing him for this. Still, we cannot have a single word against him as Mark (Grieszbacher) brought us here to the semi-finals. Some players need to get used to deliver under pressure."
Game 68, 20.00 – Semi-final: Greece v Serbia 9-8
Quarters: 1-2, 3-3, 4-2, 1-1
Referees: Frank Ohme (GER), Stefano Pinato (ITA)
GREECE
Ugo Allesandro Piovan (13/21, 27%), Stayros Manthogiannis (GK2, n. e.) – Alexandros Alamanos (0/1), Aristgipis Chalyvopoulos (1/3), Efstathios Kalogeropoulos (2/4), Nikolaos Kovrouvanis (0/0), Ioannis Kechalaris (0/2), Dionusios Braime (1/2), Achilleas Grammatikos (0/0), Ippokratis Chalyvopoulos (1/1), Theodoros Pateros (0/3), Nikolaos-Sry Papanikolaou (2/4), Dimitrios Dimou (2/4). Head coach: Dimitris Kravaritis
SERBIA
Vladimir Misovic (8/17, 47%), Milan Bulajic (GK2, n. e.), – Stefan Barnkovic (0/0), Nemanja Stanojevic (1/5), Vukasin Ganic (0/2), Jovan Tanasijevic (0/0), Marko Ilic (0/0), Petar Mitrovic (2/3), Arsenije Mitrovic (1/2), Marko Banovic (0/2), Kristian Sulc (2/5), Uros Maric (0/2), Marko Radovic (2/4). Head coach: Uros Stevanovic
Shots:
GRE: 9/27
SRB: 8/30
Extramen:
GRE: 4 for 8
SRB: 3 for 9
Penalties:
GRE: 1 for 1
SRB: 0 for 2
The second semi was a bit more tactical, the big rush from the first was never repeated here (teams had 13 shots less compared to the other match). Marko Radovic opened the Serbs’ account with a fine action goal but Nikolaos-Sry Papanikolaou equalised to put Greece on the scoreboard after 3:52 minutes. Despite a missed penalty by Sulc, Radovic netted his second again from action to gave the Serbs the lead which they kept till the end of the first.
Kristian Sulc doubled the margin from the first possession, just beating the shot-clock buzzer for 1-3 and even though Papanikolaou tipped the ball in from close range in a man-up, Sulc did the damage again, this was the 4th action goal from the Serbs and they led 2-4. A missed Greek man-up was followed by Dimitrios Dimou’s blast but the Serbs put away their first 6 on 5 to hold on for 3-5. Then came a crucial moment: Serbia earned a 6 on 5, but Dimou made a great steal, swam straight onto the goal, earned a penalty and Aristgipis Chalyvopoulos converted it 22 seconds before the middle break (4-5).
The third period was launched by a quick exchange of action goals, then the Serbs broke two goals clear, got the rebound in a man-up and Petar Mitrovic sent in from close-range on the second attempt (5-7). The Serbs had a chance to go +3 but Radovic’s shot was caught by Piovan in a man-up and that cost his team dearly. The remaining 5:05 minutes saw an outstanding 3-0 rush from the Greeks: Efstathios Kalogeropoulos kicked off the party with a great shot from a man-up, then he sent the ball under the bar from 7m with 3:00 to go. The Serbs missed another man-up, what’s more, Brankovic’s penalty was well saved by Piovan 35 seconds from time and with a patiently composed man-up – despite earning it at 0:14 – Dionusios Braime sent the ball home from the right wing, just one second before the buzzer.
Believe it or not, the Greeks led 8-7 and their great spell was still lasting in the fourth, again, a well-played man-up saw them doubling their lead, Ippokratis Chalyvopoulos scored with just 3sec on the shot-clock (just like in the other SF, a 0-4 rush brought the big turn to the encounter).
The Serbs could overcome their offensive problems by a nicely set-up man-up by the two Mitrovics, Arsenije’s assist was pulled in from close range by Petar – it ended a drought lasting 8:41 minutes. As the pressure was mounting, the number of mistakes also grew, the teenages boys’ hands didn’t move as confident as in the previous periods. The Greeks missed an extra, then the Serbs wasted back-to-back 6 on 5s and only 2 minutes were remaining. Papanikolau tried a shot from the centre but sent the ball over the bar while being marked heavily and the Serbs called for a time-out to find out something for their possibly last possession to save the game to a shootout. With 32sec to go, they got the desired man-up but Vukasin hurried the finish, let the ball fly after just two passes and five seconds (the Serbs missed their last three 6 on 5s), the goalie caught it and the Greeks just needed to keep the ball for the remaining 22 seconds. They did it and reached the final with some outstanding efforts in the second half.
Dimitris Kravaritis, head coach, Greece:
"Both teams went for the final, the players felt the pressure but could do their best. Our team managed to follow my game plan step by step, they played cleverly, and that brought us the win. In the final we'll face Spain, I think they are the best team in this tournament but we'll try to find out something for tomorrow."
Uros Stevanovic, head coach, Serbia:
"We began the game well, even having some minor mistakes we still led by two goals. Then we started to commit stupid mistakes. We gave away the ball in our man-up, missed a second penalty, in the last period we shot in situations we shouldn't have or chose bad solutions. The Greek goalie gave his team a firm backing from the second period, that was also an important part so all we can do is to congratulate Greece and wish them good luck in the final."
Game 65, 15.30 – For places 5-8th: Montenegro v Croatia 10-15
Quarters: 1-2, 1-5, 4-3, 4-5
Referees: Andreja Stanojevic (SRB), Andreas Moiralis (GRE)
MONTENEGRO
Andrej Bosanac (1/8, 13%), Bogdan Radnjic (1/8, 11%) – Vuk Draskovic (0/3), Uros Vucurovic (2/2), Aljosa Macic (1/4), Igor Uskokovic (0/1), Danilo Radovic (1/2), Jovan Vujovic (1/1), Martin Gardasevic (1/5), Luka Murisic (1/2), Marko Milic (0/2), Nenad Dragovic (0/0), Marjan Mitrovic (3/5). Head coach: Petar Radanovic
CROATIA
Antonio Vukojevic (3/7, 43%), Martin Celar (2/8, 25%) – Ivan Rako (0/0), Tin Brubnjak (0/0), Goran Solje (0/0), Filip Krzic (2/2), Kristijan Culina (2/3), Marko Radulovic (3/3), Branimir Herceg (3/4), Luka Bajic (1/2), Jakov Markic (1/1), Jerko Penava (1/3), Marko Zuvela (2/3). Head coach: Zoran Bajic
Shots:
MNE: 10/27
CRO: 15/23
Extramen:
MNE: 5 for 9
CRO: 1 for 8
Penalties:
MNE: none
CRO: 2 for 2
Croatia seemed to have recovered better from the disappointment they went through on the quarter-final day while losing to Spain. The Montenegrins perhaps suffered from the post-effects of their evening loss to Hungary, the reigning European champion team’s offence was demoralised by the hosts and 18 hours later they were unable to gear up in time. They could score only twice in the first half while their defence couldn’t withstand the pressure, succumbing seven times. In the quarters the Montenegrin goalie could help his team with 16 saves – now he could stop only one ball in 16 minutes. Enjoying a 2-7 lead, the Croats’ defence loosened up a bit, with 2:09 before the last break the Montenegrins came back to 6-9 and had a possession to pull one more back but the shot was saved and Marko Radulovic netted an action goal at the other end 50 seconds from time. And Filip Krzic opened the fourth with another great goal in the last second of the first possession for 6-11, and the game was decided at that very moment. Four more arrived from both teams, ensuring some entertainment for the fans enjoying the game and the sunshine alike.
Game 66, 17.00 – For places 5-8th: Australia v Italy 6-12
Quarters: 0-6, 1-0, 2-4, 3-2
Referees: Reynel Castillo (PUR), Gabor Vogel (HUN)
AUSTRALIA
Max Fodor (5/17, 29%), Ethan Zirth (GK2, n. e.) – Joshua Collins (0/1), Matthew Oberman (0/0), Scott Dyson (0/1), Matthew Humby (0/1), James Gillfeather (1/4), Harry Molnar (1/1), Nicholas Taylor (2/3), Christian Kyriakou (1/4), Mitch Robinson (0/2), Kal Glanznig (0/1), Reilly Townsend (1/3). Head coach: Andrew Yanitsas
ITALY
Bernardo Maurizi (7/12, 58%), Alessio Sammarco (0/1, 0%) – Domenico Iodoce (0/1), Francesco Faraglia (2/4), Mattia Antonucci (1/2), Andrea Condemi (0/3), Tommaso Giannazza (1/3), Michele De Robertis (1/3), Michele Mezzaroba (5/5), Gianpiero Di Martire (0/3), Andrea Narciso (1/1), Filippo Ferrero (1/2). Head coach: Carlo Silipo
Shots:
AUS: 6/23
ITA: 12/27
Extramen:
AUS: 1 for 6
ITA: 1 for 7
Penalties:
AUS: none
ITA: 2 for 3
The game seemed to be over after eight minutes: Italy blew the Aussies away with a 0-6 rush in the first period. After a killed Aussie man-up an early double in 51 seconds founded the Italians’ march, soon they were 0-3 up, each came from action. The closing moments were really telling: Michele Mezzaroba scored another action goal for 0-5, nine seconds later Filippo Ferraro had a great steal, and with 0:02 to go Michele de Robertis finished the counter – two goals in the last 18 seconds, and Italy was 6 up already.
Unlike the Rolling Stones, the young azzurris seemed to get satisfaction and they slept over the second period, Domenico Iodoce sent the ball over the bar from a penalty and after 14:07 minutes James Gillfeather managed to break the Aussies’ silence, but they were still trailing by five at halftime.
And the Aussies smelt something as they went on netting two more in a span of 31 seconds and had a man-up to go back to two but a bad pass flew over the side-rope. And soon the Italians woke up again, though they missed man-up but soon Mezzaroba blasted one from the right wing for 3-7, halting their scoreless struggle lasting for 11:10 minutes. He soon added more, one from a penalty, another from a counter for 3-9 (he was 5/5 at this stage), so the minor excitements were ceasing towards the end of the third.
The last period five more goals, at the end the difference remained the same as after the first quarter – indeed the game had been decided there.
Game 64, 14.00 – For places 9-10th: United States v Russia 14-8
Quarters: 3-4, 4-1, 4-1, 3-2
Referees: David Gomez (ESP), Diego Garibaldi (ARG)
UNITED STATES
Daniel Roland (13/21, 62%), Kent Emden (GK2, n. e.) – Garrett Zaan (2/4), Gabriel Discipulo (0/0), Thomas Gruwell (1/2), Ashworth Molthen (3/6), Samuel Untrecht (n. e.), Alika Naone (2/3), Warren Loth (0/1), Nicholas Tierney (2/3), Hannes Daube (4/4), Quinn Woodhead (0/1), Ian Minstermen (0/0). Head coach: Brett Ormsby
RUSSIA
Vladimir Zasedatelev (8/22, 36%), Vladislav Sergeev (GK2, n. e.) – Mano Shonia (n. e.), Nikita Serebrennirov (1/1), Artem Andrianov (0/1), Nikita Volkov (0/1), Vladislav Pantaziev (0/1), Nikita Mikhailov (1/5), Askar Nakhiyanov (2/3), Valerii Pelikh (1/2), Ivan Vasilev (3/9), Daniil Frolov (0/6), Oleg Diakov (0/1). Head coach: Vladimir Fedorin
Shots:
USA: 14/26
RUS: 8/30
Extramen:
USA: 5 for 10
RUS: 3 for 6
Penalties:
USA: none
RUS: 1 for 1
Both teams played a tie against host Hungary on connecting days: the Russians gave away a two-goal lead in the last round of the prelims, dropped to third place and lost to Italy in the eight-finals. Had they kept at least one goal from their lead, they would have met the Americans in the eight-finals – instead, the US boys faced the Magyars, conceded a late equaliser then lost the shootout so their last game was due on the penultimate day for the 9th place.
But at least they bid a nice farewell to the tournament. The Russians seemed to run out of gas and enthusiasm for the third period as latest – after taking a fine start and leading 3-4 the Americans took over the control, won the middle two periods 8-2 and sailed away with the win. The two best Russian shooters, Vasilev and Frolov, couldn’t push their team, missed 6 shots apiece, while the best American player, Hannes Daube netted 4 from as many shots and the team also offered a fine combined effort to clinch the 9th place. Russia, the only European team outside the top eight, finished 10th.
Game 63, 12.30 – For places 11-12th: Colombia v Brazil 5-16
Quarters: 1-3, 1-3, 2-7, 1-3
Referees: Peter La Marque (RSA), Mikhail Dykman (CAN)
COLOMBIA
Manuel Quintero (7/20, 35%), Juan Bustamante (3/6, 50%) – Simon Buitrago Gonzalez (0/3), Juan Foronda (2/8), Ihoan Betancor (0/0), Camilo Patino (0/0), Juan Giraldo (0/0), Fabian Rodriguez (0/1), Sebastian Rendon (0/6), Juan Buitrago Tobon (2/7), Julian Roldan (1/1). Head coach: Juan Esteban Vasquez
BRAZIL
Joao Pedro Vernandes (4/8, 50%), Natanael Bonfim (4/5, 80%) – Lucas Farias (4/5), Mateus Stellet (0/1), Thomas Borges (2/6), Nicholas Fichman (3/4), Pedro Henrique Zwicker (1/1), Italo Vizacre (1/4), Lucas Golzio (0/0), Joao Carlos Mattos (0/0), Thiago Ferreira (2/8), Luca Sasso (0/2), Bruno Chiappini (3/5). Head coach: Attila Sudar
Shots:
COL: 5/28
BRA: 16/36
Extramen:
COL: 2 for 14
BRA: 1 for 4
Penalties:
COL: none
BRA: 2 for 3
Colombia’s fairy tale run ended with another defeat, this time the big neighbours beat them with ease. Playing each match with nine field players only, the Colombians gave all they had and didn’t have too much left for this last game. The Brazilians dominated right from the beginning and floored their rivals in the third by netting seven goals within one period.
Game 62, 11.00 – For places 13-14th: Egypt v New Zealand 14-4
Quarters: 3-0, 2-1, 5-1, 4-2
Referees: Vahtang Mebuke (GEO), Humberto Navarro (USA)
EGYPT
Marwan Hafez (12/16, 75%), Mohamed Mohamed (GK2, n. e.) – Joussef Addalla (1/1), Oman Mohamed (0/1), Ahmed Elsapagh (3/8), Joussef Ibrahim (2/3), Mohamed Ezzat (0/4), Mahmoud Maghwry (0/0), Ahmed Hamed (0/0), Adel Serry (3/4), Bassel Shazafeldin (1/2), Adhan Saleh (4/8), Ziyad Mohamed (0/2). Head coach: Nafeh Hishan
NEW ZEALAND
Bae Fountain (8/17, 47%), James Tyras (0/5, 0%) – Louie Ferigo (1/2), Louis Clark (0/1), Kiahi Horan (0/3), Bronson Larsen (0/2), Brandon Matthews (0/1), James Catlin (0/3), Rowan Brown (1/6), Sam Ratima (n. e.), Reuben Ronalos (0/0), Josef Schuler (2/4), Nicholas Paterson (0/5). Head coach: Rahiti Teokotai-White
Shots:
EGY: 14/32
NZL: 4/28
Extramen:
EGY: 1 for 5
NZL: 0 for 2
Penalties:
EGY: 1 for 1
NZL: 2 for 2
Egypt was proved to be the king, or rather the pharaoh of the ‘lower house’ – among the teams not making the eight-finals the Africans really stood out. They beat Saudi Arabia 36-1, Argentina 22-6 and now New Zealand 14-4. They didn’t let the New Zealanders into the game, took a 3-0 lead right at the beginning and didn’t look back.
Game 60, 9.30 – For places 15-16th: Argentina v South Africa 8-9
Quarters: 2-1, 3-3, 2-3, 1-2
Referees: John Waldow (NZL), Fabio Toffoli (BRA)
ARGENTINA
Juan Paramo (8/17, 47%), Nicolas Fernandez (GK2, n. e.) – Lorenzo Rizzo (1/2), Sebastian von der Horst (n. e.), Acture Lopez (0/1), Matias Hoorn (1/4), Francisco Gayarin (n. e.), Tomas Giri (1/4), Boris Cybulski (0/2), Manuel Fernandez (1/2), Alex Lorenth (0/4), Antones Balbi (4/8), Ignacio Setti (0/1). Head coach: Gabriel Ramirez
SOUTH AFRICA
Oliver Daffarn (5/10, 50%), Kgomotso Mataka (5/8, 63%) – Janco Rademeyer (0/1), Michael Sabor (0/0), Triston McKay (1/1), Todd Howard (6/8), Ross Stone (0/2), Yaseen Margro (0/1), Jonathan Swanepoel (0/4), Liam Brown (0/1), William Dowsett (1/3), Joshua Schmidt (1/2), Michael Smith (n. e.). Head coach: Lizwi Mbonambi
Shots:
ARG: 8/30
RSA: 9/23
Extramen:
ARG: 1 for 7
RSA: 2 for 8
Penalties:
ARG: 1 for 1
RSA: 1 for 1
It was a fine battle where all boys gave their utmost to win this last encounter of the tourney. The Argentinians staged a better start, deep into the second they led 5-2 but the South Africans could score twice in 54 seconds to trail by only one at halftime. In the third they had another fine spell to go 6-7 ahead but with 40 seconds before the last break Antones Balbi netted an action goal and after a lengthy phase with lot of swimming and less precise shooting he scored his 4th to put Argentina ahead once more at 8-7. But they couldn’t score any more while the Todd Howard saved South Africa once more, he scored his 5th, from a man-up, to level the score with 1:59 remaining and added a 6th one, this time a great distance shot to win the game 31 seconds from time.
Game 61, 12.00 (indoor pool) – For places 17-18th: Saudi Arabia v Canada 5-20
Quarters: 2-4, 2-4, 0-5, 1-7
Referees: Pavel Letunovsky (RUS), Ziliang Chen (CHN)
SAUDI ARABIA
Sulaiman Zaid (5/17, 29%), Turki Turkistani (1/9, 11%) – Abdullah Kalfut (0/3), Raed Serafi (0/0), Malak Shrahily (0/0), Bandar Sharahili (0/1), Mohammed Shrahily (1/5), Mohammed Alaryani (1/1), Abdullah Abbas (0/0), Mohammed Alhelal (2/8), Mohammed Turkistani (0/0), Osama Almalki (0/0), Sultan Alhawsawi (0/0). Head coach: Baseem Alharbi
CANADA
Komminos Kotambasis (10/15, 67%), Brody McKnight (GK2, n. e.) – Nicholas Serediuc (1/3), Nikola Cugalj (2/3), Sandro Miletic (1/1), Diego Gonzalez (2/5), Garrett Davis (5/6), Nemanja Ivezic (1/2), Bor Tanasijevic (3/4), Mason Archer (2/3), Stephen Gloade (1/3), William Chapman (2/2), Callin Chimilar (0/1). Head coach: Andras Szeri
Shots:
KSA: 5/19
CAN: 20/32
Extramen:
KSA: 5 for 8
CAN: 4 for 5
Penalties:
KSA: 0 for 1
CAN: 1 for 1
As long as their reserves lasted, the Saudis could keep up with the Canadians, though they could score only from man-ups. They converted 4 in the first half but only one in the second and while they were trailing 4-8 after two periods they lost the next two 1-12 as they were clearly worn out.
Game 59, 9.30 (indoor pool) – For places 19-20th: Uzbekistan v China 13-14 (pen)
Quarters: 3-1, 2-4, 2-2, 4-4 – pen: 2-3
Referees: Ahmad Hassan Almualem (KSA), Yasser Ali Mehalhel (EGY)
UZBEKISTAN
Mirzohid Qodirov (5/17, 29%, pen: 2/5), Abdullo Yokubjonov (GK2, n. e.) – Aleksandr Ponomarenko (1/3), Asadber Kenjaev (1/3), Asrorbek Yusufjanov (2/4), Aizbek Turgunov (0/2), Zaven Osipyan (6/7), Eldor Obidov (0/0), Khasanboy Nizambaev (0/1), Sukhrob Knoshimov (1/2), Khusanboy Nizambaev (0/1), Kirill Muks (0/0). Head coach: Oleg Pletnev
CHINA
Wang Jun Jing (9/20, 45%, pen: 1/2), Zhon Hao Tian (GK2, n. e.) – He Xing (6/12), Shi Bo (2/6), Zhu Bei (0/0), Wu Ming (0/0), Yu Qiu (0/1), Yuan Lei (0/0), Wu Yu (1/2), Cheng Yi (2/2), Lin Luo (0/1), Ou Guan (0/0). Head coach: Zoran Maslovar
Shots:
UZB: 13/30
CHN: 14/28
Extramen:
UZB: 5 for 7
CHN: 6 for 8
Penalties:
UZB: 1 for 1
CHN: none
Shootout:
Cheng saved, Kenjaev 1-0, Shi 1-1, Nizambaev 2-1, Yuan saved, Obidov missed, Wu 2-2, Turgunov missed, He 2-3, Yusufjanov missed
The motivation behind fielding an unauthorised played on the previous day – substituting an over-aged player for an injured one without notifying anyone – is still a mystery as the Uzbeks did it against Saudi Arabia, a team they beat by 10 goals and no one could see why they couldn’t achieved something similar with ten field players... Since the ‘trick’ was revealed, their win was gone and instead of playing for the 17th place they found themselves in the middle of a dogfight against China. And, in the spirit of the great Dostoyevskiy novel Crime and Punishment, they were dropped to the bottom place as after a series of twists and turns they could save the match to a shootout with 0:42 to go but missed their last three attempts in the shootout and finishes 20th. China, without winning a match here in regular time, came 19th.
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