Women's Youth World Championships, Belgrade, Day 6

Spain and Italy will fight for the gold medal, while Greece and Australia for bronze medal at the 4th FINA World Youth Women's Water Polo Championships in Belgrade. This was the main outcome of Day 6 of the competition in the capital of Serbia, where we have seen the best edition of the Italian national team so far. Therefore, the decisive match between Italy and Spain will be the pinnacle of the whole tournament. These two teams already met in the preliminary phase when Spain convincingly won by 13:6 but the gold-medal match will bring more uncertainty.
Greece and Australia will seek consolation for the lost semi-finals in the third-place match. The team of the United States faced a new defeat, this time from Netherlands.
Match reports
Quarters: 4:4, 3:5, 2:3, 4:2
Referees: Mr Sato, Mr Korolev
UZBEKISTAN
Madinabonu Khafizova (9-21, 42,9%), Zarina Djomaladinova, Sitora Rasubova (1/5) , Sokhibakhon Sayfiddinova (2/7), Valerya Konovanova, Regina Shaydullina (0/2), Negina Abdulkhaeya (3/7), Madinabonu Shermatova (3/7) , Aleksandra Larchenko (0/4), Anastasya Ivnitskaya, Eva Umurkazova (4/6), Kristina Logutova, Kamila Tilyashova (0-2, 0 %). Coach: Diana Shamsutdinova
KAZAKHSTAN
Azhar Alibeyeva, Yelizaveta Rudneva (1/3, 33,3%), Dani Kydytbekova (1/4) Nadezhda Shapovalova, Anastassya Yeremina (1/3), Evelina Shetlkanoveseva, Viktorya Khirtankova (8/12), Sivilya Raiter (2/3), Shakhzova Mansurova (1/7), Valerya Anossova, Kamila Kairollayeva (0/1), Anastassya Kolomatskaya, Darya Konova. Coach: Matat Naryazbekov
Shots:
UZB: 13 - 38
KAZ: 14 - 33
Extrawomen:
UZB: 2 - 17
KAZ: 5 - 8
Penalties:
UZB: 2 - 3
KAZ: 2 - 2
MVP: Viktorya Khirtankova
During the third quarter, Kazakhstan had even a five-goal advantage (12:7). Uzbekistan then scored four goals in a row, but Uzbek players didn’t have more power. With this tangential victory, Kazakhstan won the 11th place at the World Championships in Belgrade.
Quarters: 1:1, 2:2, 2:1, 4:1,
Referees: Mrs Rakovic – Krstonošić, Mr Gresele
NEW ZEALAND
Briget Layburn (12/27, 70,6%), Claudia Morgan (1/2), Bernadette Doyle (2/8), Ellie Tomoana (0/1), Kaitlin Howarth (3/6), Caitlin Mary Parker-Allen (1/2), Elisabeth Alsemgeest (0/1), Shinae Carrington (1/1), Samantha Milicich (0/1) , Morgan Mc Dowall (1/5), Lucia Doak, Ella Pollock (0/2), Hooke Charlote. Coach: Angela Winstanley-Smith.
CANADA
Gabriele Mantyka, Blaire Mc Dowell (0/8), Ava Morrant (1/3), Floranne Carroll (1/3), Juliette Belanger (1/4), Apryl Gonzales(1/2), Valeria Rojas (0/2), Taylor Halbauer (0/2), Lucy Davis, Casey Taylor (0/1), Jaiden Miller (1/3), Allison Cameron , Marianne Bouchard (9/18, 50%). Coach: Daniel Bekhazi
Shots:
NZL: 9 - 29
CAN: 5 - 28
Extrawomen:
NZL: 1 - 7
CAN: 1 - 3
Penalties:
NZL: 3 - 3
CAN: -
MVP: Bernadette Doyle
By the middle of the last quarter, it was a very balanced, equal match marked by excellent goalkeepers on both sides. Then we saw a period where New Zealand was more aggressive (and efficient), so in the last four minutes, the Canadian net was hit four times for the final victory of New Zealand.
Quarters: 4:4, 2:2, 4:4, 3:1
Referees: Mr Hinds, Mrs Perry
HUNGARY
Alda Anon Magyari (15/26, 41,7%), Kinga Peresletgi Nagy, Zita King Armai (2/4), Lucca Petovari (1/5), Morika Pap (2/2) , Janka Kata Utassy (2/5), Fanny Muzsnay (1/2), Vanda Hugzti, Panna Kudella (2/3), Berta Farago (1/2), Natasa Rybanska (1/4), Dalma Domsodi (1/3), Barbara Papadi. Coach: Tamas Farago
RUSSIA
Diana Khamraeva (5/12, 41,7%), Anastasia Panfilova (2/5), Regina Galimzianova (0/3), Margarita Pystina (2/4), Elizabeta Ivanova, Polina Popova (1/8), Yulia Lapteva (2/2), Daria Chagochkina (3/5), Nadhezda Lipskaia (0/1), Anastasia Shiriaeva (0/2), Alena Topychkanova (1/4), Anana Kochetova (0/1), Polina Zabalueva (4/10, 40%). Coach: Sergey Markoch
Shots:
HUN: 13 - 30
RUS: 11 - 35
Extrawomen:
HUN: 3 - 9
RUS: 2 - 8
Penalties:
HUN: 1 - 1
RUS: 1 - 1
MVP: Janka Kata Utassy
Three completely balanced quarters, with a lot of changes in the lead, with one goal ahead for either Hungary or Russia. In the last period of the game, Utassy, from penalty, and Pap, in counter attack, secured a decisive lead for Hungary that Russia could not overcome. Hungary will play for fifth and Russia for the seventh place.
Quarters: 1:3, 2:2, 2:1, 2:2
Referees: Mrs Goncharenko, Mr Bianco
USA
Thea Walsh, Chloe Harbitas (0/1), Valeria Ayala (3/7), Abrielle Hill (0/3), Skyler Jones (0/1), Bayley Weber (0/4), Jewel Roemer, Carson Broad, Honnie Vandeweghe - O'Shea (0/1), Hannah Constandse (2/3), Sophie Wallace (1/2), Ava Johnson (1/5), Georgia Phillips (8/16, 50%). Coach: Ethan Damato
NETHERLANDS
Sarah Buis (5/12, 41,7%), Lieke Rogge (1/4), Rozanne Voorvelt (1/2), Marit van der Weijden (2/4), Jasmin Entezar (0/1), Simone van der Kraats (2/6), Nina ten Broek (0/2), Maxine Schaap, Cznthia Mulder (0/1), Isis, Keijzer (0/2), Lot Stertefeld(1/2), Yara Galje (1/1), Sanne Keilver. Coach: Schothans Gerrit - Jan.
Shots:
USA: 7 - 27
NED: 8 - 25
Extrawomen:
USA: 1 - 10
NED: 3 - 9
Penalties:
USA: 2 - 3
NED: 1 - 1
MVP: Rozanne Voorvelt
The US team obviously didn't recover from a shocking defeat against Italy in the quarter-finals. Netherlands started much better, firstly leading by 3:0, then by 5:2 in the second quarter, and 6:3 at the beginning of the third period. Americans then started to play better, raising the quality of their game. Three consecutive goals for 6:6, then also 7:7, but at 5.28 minutes before the end, Simone van der Kraats of Netherlands scored a goal. It turned out later that this was a winning goal. American players had the last attack, even with man-up situation, but the shot of Valeria Ayala was blocked by Rozanne Voorvelt.
Quarters: 2:1, 2:4, 6:4, 3:0
Referees: Mr Golikov, Mr Aimbetov
SPAIN
Sandra Domene (10/15, 66,7%), Andrea Arias (1/3), Clara Diaz (0/1), Mireia Guiral (2/4), Silvia Morell (2/2), Elena Camarena (0/1), Gisella Farre (0/3), Ariadna Ruiz, Olga Descalzi (0/1), Paula Camus (0/2), Ruth Arino (2/4), Alejandra Aznar (6/9), Paula Nieto (1/5, 20%). Coach: Javier Aznar
GREECE
Emmanouela Archontaki (10-23, 43,5%), Fountotou Eleftheria, Ninou Panagiota (0/2), Anastasia Loudt (1/3), Eleni Kanetidou(3/8), Dimitra Athina Giannopoulou, Ninou Eirin (0/7), Maria Myriokefalitaki (3/5), Effrosyni Katsimpri (0/6), Vasiliki Douli(1/2), Anna Ioulia Kontoni (1/3), Margarita Bitsakou, Angeliki Giannakea. Coach: Dimou Konstantinos
Shots:
SPA: 13 - 30
GRE: 9 - 36
Extrawomen:
SPA: 0 - 7
GRE: 4 - 9
Penalties:
SPA: 3 - 3
GRE: 1 - 2
MVP: Alejandra Aznar
A great performance by two of the top teams in the tournament. Spain took over the game in the third quarter - the key moments were the end of it and the beginning of the last quarter. In the last second of the third quarter, Ruth Arino score for a 10:9 advantage for Spain. In the first action of the last peiord, Eleni Kanitedou from Greece had a penalty-shot but she missed. In a counter attack, Mireia Guiral scored for a 11:9 lead for Spain.
Greek national coach Dimou Konstantinos:
“We had a lot of exclusions. After the third period, we were very tired. The tournament is difficult, we did not have a rest day like Spain. Well, that's sport, it's a game, now we have to turn for our next match. I hope we will win in the match for bronze”.
Spain's best player Alejandra Aznar:
“A very tough game with a great opponent. We played with heart, organised when it was needed. I am satisfied, we achieved great success, but we want gold. It will be difficult because the other team will for sure have the same goal”.
Quarters: 3:1, 2:2, 1:2, 1:0
Referees: Mrs Kunikova, Mrs Drury
ITALY
Caterina Banchell (11/16, 68,8%), Sofia Guistini (0/2), Carlotta Meggiato (0/2), Giorgi Grazia Armedeo, Sara Cordovani , Lucrezia Cergol (5/9), Chiara Tori (0/3), Francesca Colleta (1/1), Dafne Bettini (0/2), Beatrice Clementi (0/5), Isabella Riccioli (1/3), Roberta Santapaola, Teresa Mairmone. Coach: Paolo Ziza
AUSTRALIA
Lily Hawton (9/16, 56,3%), Jarnie Oberman (0/1), Nioka Thomas , Ruby Swadling (0/2), Sophie Milliken (0/2), Abby Andrews (1/2), Carla Traplin (1/7), Hayley Ballesty (1/2), Kasey Dalziel (0/2), Maisie Newell, Matlinda Kearns (2/3), Charlize Andrews (0/3), Allysa West. Coach: Dusan Damjanovic
Shots:
ITA: 7 - 27
AUS: 5 - 25
Extrawomen:
ITA: 3 - 10
AUS: 1 - 9
Penalties:
ITA: 0 - 2
AUS: 1 - 2
MVP: Lucrezia Cergol
Italy is playing better and better as a tournament goes by, so this was not a surprise - Italy qualified for the final!
After only four minutes of the second quarter, there was a huge 5:1 for Italy. The Europeans displayed an excellent defense, a far more organised attack led by the extraordinary Lucrezia Cergol, a true headache for the Australian side. However, Australia didn’t surrender.
So, after scoring three goals (two in second and one more at the beginning of the third quarter) came to only one-goal difference (5:4). Few minutes later 6:5. Australians also had opportunity to equalise with man-up situation. On the other side, Italy had even two penalty-shots in only five seconds, and they managed to missed both! More precisely, both shots were saved by Australian goalkeeper Lily Hawthon.
In the last quarter, Italy scored for 7:5 (Isabella Ricciolli) and Australia at 2.43 to go missed a penalty shot (Matlinda Kearns).
Dusan Damjanovic, coach of Australia:
“Italy has shown a system that applies in younger categories. Lot of so-called ‘working’. Also, they were lucky with some shots. We were trying to respond by pressing, but it was not enough for a complete turning point”.
Paolo Ziza, Italian coach:
“A good game on both sides, and also a very difficult match. We've already forgotten Australia, I mean this match in the semi-final. Spain, our next opponent, is a great team, but I believe we will overturn the defeat in the group phase”.