FINA World Youth Water Polo Championships

POLO AIR INDONESIA-Day 7 action saw the women’s semi finals and wins from Hungary and Greece to propel them into the gold medal match on Sunday afternoon.

Hungary toppled Russia 14-11, whilst Greece put paid to the USA’s dreams of gold with a solid 8-3 win.

In Hungary’s victory they were more technically skilled than Russia, the deciding factor being their four from five extra-man conversion rate compared to Russia’s inaccurate 3 from 10.

A slow start for Russia saw Hungary convert four easy goals in the first term, before Anastasia Simanovich scored her first of five to get her team on the board. Although Russia’s offence was much stronger in the second quarter, Hungary kicked away even further to lead 10-5 at the main break and it proved to be enough.

Hungarian star Annan Illes, who was one of three on her team to bag a treble, was over the moon.

“I’m very happy and very proud of my team. It was just the best. We were a team, a very good team.”

In the other semi, Greece blew the US away with a blistering second quarter.

United States looked to have the better of the chances during the opening quarter with a slender 2-1 lead but goals either side of quarter time to Melissa Bergesen (USA) prompted a Greek turnaround.

Four goals in three minutes changed the complexion of the match in Greece’s favour, with a two goal deficit turning quickly to a two goal lead. The Americans appeared rattled through the second term and must have been relieved to head for the break at 3-6 – such was the irresistible play of the Greeks.

Greece then shut the US attack down and scored the only two goals of the second half – both in the third quarter for a comprehensive win.

Greece’s coach Georgios Morfesis is now one game away from consecutive world championship gold medals after leading the senior team to victory in Shanghai last year. He said he was happy with the direction Greek water polo was taking.

“We are getting better and better. With this win it proves how strong Greek women’s water polo is, at a very high level. As well as the senior women our young girls are also good. The future belongs to them,” Morfesis said.

The day’s most exciting game involved a thrilling 11-10 overtime victory to New Zealand over Brazil in the classification semi final to decide fifth to eighth.

The match appeared headed Brazil’s way with a pair of 3-1 quarter scores to begin the game and even had an 8-6 three-quarter-time lead.

However, the nocturnal Kiwis came out of hibernation with a pair of 4-2 quarters to snatch extra time and eventually score the winning goal 1:13 from the second overtime period buzzer, averting a penalty shootout.

Both teams did their homework and kept the other’s leading scorer quiet for the first half but they snuck through for goals in the second half. Izabella Chiappini (BRA) had 28 goals before the match and Caitlin Lopes Da Silva (NZL) 13. They ended this game with two and three respectively.

The Kiwis will play Canada for fifth tomorrow after the North Americans upset Australia 16-7 with a clinical performance at both ends of the pool in six on five situations. Their extra-man play was too powerful for the Aussies and they converted 8 from 13 offensive chances, whilst restricting the locals to just two goals from 11 attempts.

The Australians were actually in the match at halftime, down 5-6 but the Canadians exploded in the second half, winning the quarters 4-1 and 6-1 with Rae Lekness grabbing five and Emma Wright contributing four.

The first women’s game saw South Africa overcome Uzbekistan 10-4 to claim 11th place, Kim Rosslee toping the scorecard with a treble. It was South Africa’s second win of the week following their opening 9-1 victory over Zimbabwe. Uzbekistan left the tournament with one win against Indonesia and in 12th.

In the next game Italy bounced back from a slow start to over-run the Czech Republic 24-6 for ninth place in the women’s competition. The Italians scored 15 goals to 2 in the middle two quarters.

Italy had expected to make the medal round at this tournament but found itself playing in the 9-12 classifications after losing a close group stage match to eventual finalists Hungary and a crunch second-round match to Russia 10-6.

Italian head coach Paolo Zizza expressed his disappointment in finishing ninth in the competition.