Spain makes huge statement on opening day in Turkiye

DAY 1 MATCHES

Match 1, Group C, THAILAND 7 NETHERLANDS 11 (2-2, 2-4, 0-3, 3-2)

The culture of Dutch water polo proved the difference on the day with Thailand beginning well and then struggling against the third-quarter triple that lifted Netherlands from 6-4 at halftime to 9-4 at the final break. Thailand had a 2-1 lead in the first period when Thanidakarn Kwontongtanaree scored on extra-man attack from outside. Netherlands drew level soon after and in the second quarter went to 6-4 in just three and a half minutes with all three goals coming from the penalty line. In the third period, the Dutch scored from top right, from centre forward and then from a drive down the deep left. Myrthe Broekmate scored the eighth and ninth goals. For the last 3:40, there were no further goals with diligent defence. A last-gasp shot when going one on one with the goalkeeper, Marjolein de Gier had her shot deflected on to the right upright. In the fourth period, de Gier made sure of a penalty conversion. Goals were traded with Kwontongtanaree netting her third, on extra with a lookaway shot from top right. Goals were traded again with Leyla Hiati scoring from top right and Panita Pukkaman lobbing from the left-hand-catch position. With time ticking away, Thailand took a timeout at 0:57 and Pukkaman missed an outside shot from 10m, but scored on extra from left-hand catch, 11 seconds from time for the 11-7 loss in what was an excellent showing first up. Of note was Thailand winning the final quarter 3-2.

Match Heroes
Netherlands’ Broekmate with three goals and de Gier and Hiati with two each. Thailand’s Kwantongtanaree and Pukkaman with three each while goalkeeper Phanthila Arsayuth stopped 10 Dutch shots.

Turning Point
Netherlands coming from 2-1 down to level and then shoot ahead in the second quarter.

Stats Don’t Lie
Netherlands shot 33 times to 18 — the telling factor — and converted four from five from the penalty line. Thailand made it three from four on extra and denied Netherlands’ one opportunity. The Dutch had by far the better of the statistics.

Bottom Line
Thailand is feeling its way at this level and by the way it started, plenty will be expected from the team in the coming week. The Dutch warmed to the tournament.

Match 2, Group B, ZIMBABWE 0 CANADA 13 (0-1, 0-6, 0-3, 0-3)

Canada took some time to settle into international action, but came good in the second quarter with a handful of goals. The first goal came on extra from the top left at 1:09 in the opening quarter after so many wayward shots. The first four goals of the second period came on extra-man attack from four different players with the next two from the penalty line. Still no action goal. Tara Marunica scored the fifth and seventh goals from extra and penalty. McKenna Pineda-McLean gained the eighth goal on extra and Auden Doljesi became the fifth penalty scorer at 9-0. Pineda-McLean made in 10-0 with a strike from a drive to the right post, the first action goal, at 2:17, to close third-quarter scoring. Zimbabwe took its first timeout at 5:10 in the fourth, but the subsequent shot was blocked. Marunica scored her third from centre forward and Airi Cowie scored on counter on the next attack.  Adelaide Bilodeau also converted counter, at 1:29 for 13-0. Zimbabwe hit the crossbar in the final minute and regained the ball, earned an ejection, shot and the goalie sent it over the bar. The ball was moved around and found the right-post position where a penalty was gained. Zimbabwe’s best chance for a goal hit the crossbar and Canada had kept a clean sheet.

Match Heroes
Marunica was named best in pool with her three goals while team-mate Pineda-McLean also scoring three. Seven other Canadians scored a goal each. Natasha Chaniwa was striving hard in the final minute as she took all the Zimbabwe shots, to no avail.

Turning Point
The proverbial opening whistle. However, it was the first goal of the second period that really set Canada in motion.

Stats Don’t Lie
Canada had 21 shots to 16, converted six from 10 on extra-man attack and defended all four Zimbabwe attempts and denied Zimbabwe its two penalty chances while slotting three from four.

Bottom Line
Canada was all over this match despite the tardy start. Now that these teams have tasted international water on the world stage for the first time, their confidence will improve.

Match 3, Group C, GERMANY 8 CROATIA 9 (1-1, 2-3, 2-2, 3-3)

Croatia held off Germany in the dying seconds by the merest margin. Germany’s Mara Dzaja impressed with the first goal off a snap backhand at centre forward, while a second opportunity, this time from penalty, hit the crossbar. Croatia opened its world championship through a nifty centre-forward turn by Nina Jazvin and early in the second quarter took the lead with an outside shot. Germany equalised on extra from two metres and Croatia followed up with an extra-man goal through Neli Jankovic. Germany made it 3-3 with a brilliant pass to a loose Lucy Schuessler who accepted the high pass, turned and scored for 3-3 unguarded. Croatia converted a penalty for its third lead heading into the second half. Germany levelled, went ahead and then Croatia evened the score at 5-5 through Jazvin and Jankovic sent in a penalty goal for the 6-5 advantage just before the final break. Croatia went 7-5 on extra with a lob shot from deep right and Bianca Mitterbauer converted extra for her second goal from deep right before Lara Srhoj scored on penalty for Croatia for 8-6 at 3:57. Croatia called a timeout at 2:46, but had the subsequent shot blocked. Nea Maticevic scored from the top right to put the match out of Germany’s sights at 9-6. However, Germany replied on penalty at 0:58 for left-hander Mitterbauer to score and, after a turnover, Mitterbauer scored again from outside at 0:18 for 9-8 down. Croatia was called for wasting time, Germany went to a timeout with one second remaining, but there was no time to get the shot away and Croatia was the winner.

Match Heroes
Mitterbauer was the star of the match with four goals for Germany while team-mate Schuessler nabbed three goals, including that goal of the match. Muriel Tannenhauer pulled down seven saves in the German goal. Jazvin, Srhoj and Jankovic scored two each for the winning team.

Turning Point
So many in this match, but it had to be when Croatia went 6-5 at the end of the third period and increased the margin to 9-6, which proved just enough to fend off the fast-finishing Germans.

Stats Don’t Lie
The stats were even with Croatia going two from three on extra-man attack and defending two from four. It also converted all three penalty attempts while stopping one of Germany’s three. Both teams shot 21 times. It was a case of minor errors only.

Bottom Line
The victory gives Croatia a huge boost to get to the top level while Germany has the credentials to bounce back.

Match 4, Group D, KAZAKHSTAN 7 SOUTH AFRICA 8 (4-2, 1-2, 0-2, 2-2)

South Africa started the way it finished — in front. South Africa began proceedings with a penalty goal and Kazakhstan responded with two penalty goals. South Africa replied on extra and Kazakhstan scored from a turn at two metres and on counter for a 4-2 separation a minute from the first break. The teams traded centre-forward goals early in the second period before Holly Strydom converted extra-man attack from the right-post position to bring South Africa to one goal behind. The Africans had a chance to level through penalty, but the shot bounced into the crossbar and was snapped up by the goalkeeper. There was no further score in more than four minutes with Kazakhstan still in the lead at halftime. South Africa jumped on a back-pool error to even the score at five early in the third period thanks to Kara Batting. A timeout failed to produce for South Africa but Strydom earned the extra man and received the ball back to score from point blank soon after and her team had the lead for the second time, which it kept until the final break. Kazakh captain Yana Smolina whipped in a round-arm goal from centre forward while heavily guarded for her second and 6-6 at 4:55 in the fourth period. On the next Kazakh attack, left-armer Yana Martynova lobbed from the left-hand-catch position to give her team back the advantage 7-6. Strydom flicked in the equaliser from centre forward at 3:54 when the goalkeeper came out. At 1:09, Batting lobbed from deep right. Kazakhstan forced a turnover and took a timeout at 0:34 and the resulting shot hit the crossbar, South Africa retrieving and calling a timeout at 0:14. South Africa held the ball after the first pass and awaited the final buzzer.

Match Heroes
Strydom took out the award as best in pool with four goals, while team-mate Batting netted three. Martynova finished with three and Smolina with two.

Turning Point
South Africa making it 6-5 in the third and regaining the lead for 8-7 with a minute left.

Stats Don’t Lie
South Africa converted three from six on extra-man attack and smacked down all four Kazakh attempts. Kazakhstan went two from four at the penalty line and South Africa one from two.

Bottom Line
Either team deserved this match, but probably South Africa by sheer weight of the statistics. The win was critical as the probable group winner could by reigning champion Hungary and second in the group is a positive position to fill.

Match 5, Group E, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 13 NEW ZEALAND 3 (2-1, 2-2, 5-0, 4-0)

USA seemed to have had an excellent halftime chat, coming away refreshed and with a different attitude that left New Zealand standing. There were four minutes between goals in the opening quarter with USA starting and the Kiwis gaining a penalty goal through Isabella Lambie. Hawon Shin converted extra-man attack soon after and USA had the quarter-time advantage. This became 4-1 with New Zealand playing catch-up, Lambie on action and Violet Smith from the centre-forward position for 4-3 in arrears going into halftime. New Zealand was restricted to three shots in the third quarter with two hitting the post. USA, on the other hand, converted two penalty fouls and scored on extra through Chrissy Flynn from the top  a  s  the margin shot to 9-3 by the last break as Charlotte Raisin backhanded a goal from centre forward. It was much the same in the last period with two extra-man goals in the tally. New Zealand again shot three times with the last saved in the dying seconds from a six-metre shot well outside. Both teams played pressure defence with USA gaining the better options to score.

Match Heroes
Raisin and Kirra Pantaleon scored three for USA and Lambie twice for New Zealand.

Turning Point
The USA halftime chat that put into motion a scoreless second half for the Kiwis.

Stats Don’t Lie
It was on extra-man that USA excelled with a perfect seven and denying New Zealand its sole chance. On penalty, USA sent in two from three and New Zealand one from two. All this came from just 32 shots — 17-15. This showed how clinical USA was.

Bottom Line
USA always prepares well and sends top-class teams to tournaments. It should go far in this event.

Match 8, Group F, CHINA 15 CZECHIA 5 (3-1, 3-1, 4-2, 5-1)

China was methodical in its scoring, making sure of winning every quarter in a sea of red as both teams’ costumes were largely the same colour. Jingwen Zhang opened with a penalty goal for China and gained a second at 3-1 late in the period. Goals were traded for 4-2 with Nikola Sintakova scoring the second Czechia goal from two metres, lobbing from the right-post position. Xiwen Cao scored from wide right for 5-2 and Zhang netted her third penalty goal to close the first-half scoring at 6-2. Extra-man goals were traded with Sintakova nailing her second from a cross pass to the left-position. Zhang made it 8-3 with a centre-forward goal and a pair of action goals took the score to 9-4. Cao netted the fourth penalty goal for 10-4 a minute from the third-quarter buzzer. The first three minutes of the fourth yielded an extra-man goal each and four unanswered Chinese goals followed — two from centre forward — giving China a handsome first-up victory.

Match Heroes
Zhang blasted in four; Shangyu Chen, Xiwen Cao and Anran Yu three each for China. Xiwen Zhang stopped six shots in the Chinese goal. Sintakova fired a double for Czechia.

Turning Point
There was none as China controlled from the start.

Stats Don’t Lie
China went three from four on extra to Czechia’s two from four. China made no mistake with its penalty shots, sending in all four and giving up any penalty fouls.

Bottom Line
China has a history of good results at junior level and Czechia is making up for lost time, much like its male counterparts in Malta in the past week.

Match 7, Group G, UKRAINE 2 SPAIN 22 (1-7, 0-6, 1-3, 0-6)

Spain women love to perform and the culture of winning shone through today. Ukraine, like Czechia, has fielded a boys’ and a girls’ team this year for the first time and the experience will help immensely back home. A minute into the match it was 1-1 and from then on, Spain dominated. In a match like this you would normally see an avalanche of counter-attack goals. The first was gained through this method and from then on Spain worked its magic with an amazing 15 action goals, whether from centre, outside or close in. Five of those action goals came in the first quarter with a penalty shot and an extra-man goal thrown into the mix. It didn’t need to counter, but instead worked on moves, giving all players plenty of time in front of goal with 10 players making the scoresheet.

Match Heroes
Marina Munoz netted five with team-mates Queralt Anton, Marina Lopez, Lidia Lopez and Marina Pineda following up with three each. Xiwen Zhang stopped six shots in the Chinese goal. Celia Vaquero made five saves in the Spanish goal.

Turning Point
As the match was tied at 1-1 early on, I suppose Spain moving out to 16-1 would have to be the pivotal point.

Stats Don’t Lie
This was not a match for major fouls. It was all about Spain tearing up the pool and making the most of every opportunity. The paltry extra-man count gave Ukraine one from three on extra and Spain one from two. However, Spain fired in four from five on penalty while Ukraine failed to gain a foul. Ukraine can’t say it didn’t have chances as it shot 24 times to Spain’s 26.

Bottom Line
Spain, bronze medallist two years ago, is one of the teams to watch and expect to see it on the dais next week. Ukraine’s hopes for advancement will be by taking out Malta on day three.

Match 6, Group H, TURKYIE 2 AUSTRALIA 11 (0-1, 0-3, 1-3, 1-4)

Australia was fourth last time out and took those credentials into this match Turkiye was no easy beat as the first quarter showed. Australia then had to work harder in the second for goals, allowing one to slip through in the third and hold the tight rein in the fourth. The first-quarter goal came from penalty as five other shots were missed or saved. Turkiye had its one shot go astray a minute from the first break. Australia’s second came another two misses, and also from the penalty line at 2:22.A pair of action goals — left-handed Sara Connors right of centre and Abigail Oates on counter, 15 seconds from time had Australia in a handy position at 4-0. A third penalty goal was two minutes coming in the third quarter and on the next attack, Ukraine made the sheet through Betul Haltas on extra from the left-hand-catch position across her body from the deep right for 5-1. Connors scored on extra and Turkiye had a penalty shot bar down. Just 17 seconds from the buzzer, Zara Cooke drove down the left, turned and round-armed the ball into the net for 7-1. Lucy Stuart from centre forward and Lal Uz from deep left traded goals before three Aussie scores sent the margin to nine, 2:30 from time.

Match Heroes
Connors with her three goals and Emmersen McEwan two with six team-mates grabbing a goal each.

Turning Point
By keeping Turkiye out of the picture in the first half and being 7-1 at the final break, there was no chance of any turnaround. Well done Turkiye for keeping Australia at bay for long periods of time.

Stats Don’t Lie
Australia managed three from six on extra and Turkiye two from four. Australia, who had 22 shots to 14, secured all three penalty attempts and denied Turkiye its one attempt.

Bottom Line
Australia has a strong junior programme back home and should be expected to be in the medal mix again.

Progress Points

Group A: NED 3, THA 0, ISR
Group B: CAN 3, ZIM 0, GRE
Group C: CRO 3,GER 0, FRA
Group D: RSA 3, KAZ 0, HUN
Group E: USA 3, NZL 0, SRB
Group F: AUS 3, TUR 0, MEX,
Group G: ESP 3,UKR 2, MLT
Group H: CHN 3, CZE 0, ITA

Day 2 Schedule

Match 09. 10:15, Group C, Croatia v France
Match 10. 11:30, Group D, South Africa v Hungary
Match 12. 12:45, Group B, Canada v Greece
Match 13. 16:15, Group G, Spain v Malta
Match 14. 17:30, Group H, Czechia v Italy
Match 15. 18:45, Group E, New Zealand v Serbia