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| China vs USA |
Zhou Xin, FINA Press Correspondent in China
CHINA, Changshu (May 29) - The ninth edition of the
FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final successfully kicked off in
Changshu (CHN) where eight world-class women's water polo teams will fight for
the podium during an exciting six days. In the preliminary games of Group A and
B, defending champion USA eclipsed host China 10-6, world champion Greece
comfortably edged Germany 16-11, world number 3 Russia had a solid win over
Italy 16-3 and 2011 World League bronze-medallist Australia crushed Canada
20-4.
Game 1, RUSSIA 16 -
ITALY 3
(7-3, 3-1, 2-0, 4-1)
Russia dominated the match from the very beginning, putting constant pressure on the Italian squad, whose biggest assets are missing. Russia scored first after 34 seconds in the first quarter. Though Italy tied 1:1 less than one minute later, Tankeeva (RUS) quickly caught up, scoring a day-high five goals with teammates Fedotova and Belova adding four and three goals each, respectively, for a clean win.
(7-3, 3-1, 2-0, 4-1)
Russia dominated the match from the very beginning, putting constant pressure on the Italian squad, whose biggest assets are missing. Russia scored first after 34 seconds in the first quarter. Though Italy tied 1:1 less than one minute later, Tankeeva (RUS) quickly caught up, scoring a day-high five goals with teammates Fedotova and Belova adding four and three goals each, respectively, for a clean win.
Game 2, USA 10 -
CHINA 6
(3-3, 0-2, 4-1, 3-0)
(3-3, 0-2, 4-1, 3-0)
Despite a slow start, six-time World League champions USA
came from behind to beat world runner-up China 10-6. The host squad had the
edge in the first half of the game with a safe 5-3 lead. Soon the Americans
strengthened their defence and narrowed the gap in the last two quarters for a
decisive win.
"It is always very hard to play the first game, in any
meet. Our players were very nervous at the beginning, but as soon as they
settled down, they played much better," said U.S. head coach Adam
Krikorian.
For China's head coach Juan Jane Giralt, his players made too many mistakes in the second half: "We only performed well for the first two quarters, then we were in a mess, especially in the defence. I don't think it is a problem of strength. It is a problem of the way of thinking and playing ball game."
For China's head coach Juan Jane Giralt, his players made too many mistakes in the second half: "We only performed well for the first two quarters, then we were in a mess, especially in the defence. I don't think it is a problem of strength. It is a problem of the way of thinking and playing ball game."
Game 3, GREECE 16 - GERMANY 11
(4-3, 4-3, 5-2, 3-3)
The German squad did not let it go until the final whistle in what was a hard-fought game against the reigning world champions, Greece. In the fourth quarter, Christina Chrysoula Tsoukala, Loanna Charalampdi and captain Alexandra Asimaki scored one goal each, sealing Greece's victory.
Game 4, AUSTRALIA 20 - CANADA 4
(7-3, 4-0, 5-1, 4-0)
Canada sent a young team to attend the Super Final and suffered many blocks from the experienced Australians. In the last quarter, Australia's team captain Kate Gynther led Gemma Sophie, Rowena Webster and Nicola Zapame to score one goal each while Rowena Webster gave her team the last shot 27 seconds before the end. Monika Eggens scored twice for Canada in the first and third quarter while teammate Sophie Baron added one in the first quarter. (fina)
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