POLO AIR INDONESIA ,
29 July 2013, It was the Olympic final
all over again. This time the script had changed and Spain
won instead of United States
of America . Four times USA came within one goal of Spain , but that
was it. Spain
won 9-6 — a six-goal turnaround from the London Olympics just a year ago.
There was no Maggie Steffens five-goal haul but there was a
Jennifer Pareja four-goal procession in the first half as Spain turned at
4-2, levelled the third quarter 1-1 and won the last 3-1. This was all about Spain , five times the bridesmaid and twice
finishing level with USA
in major competition, but never winning before tonight.
The landscape has changed and USA is no longer the dominant
force of last year (many retirements), and slipping further from the bronze
medal gained at the World League in Beijing a month ago.
The match was electric, mainly because of the Spanish surge,
two Pareja goals making it 3-1. She scored either side of the first break, had
four goals and saw her team 5-2 ahead.
Kameryn Craig, who scored three goals in a match where the USA centre forwards were stifled, scored USA ’s third and
Steffens pierced the goal on penalty to close the half at 5-4.
Maica Garcia, at the top of the third, and Melissa Seidemann
four minutes later were the only scores of the period. The latter goal came off
a rebound. Pareja had a fifth goal rejected but no fear, Garcia and Laura Lopez
for a second goal each and Roser Tarrago on extra had the game sewn up by 0:39.
Craig scored vented her frustration with a great
centre-forward goal inside the final half-minute for 9-6.
The extra-man statistics belie the fact Spain actually converted one from seven and USA none from
eight. That was some of the tightest defensive play of the championship and
both sides have the scars to prove it.
