The team of USA clinched the gold in the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final, which concluded this weekend in Athens (GRE). The North Americans managed to get their 14th title in the competition, after convincingly beating the team of Hungary by 14-8 in the decisive match of the event. In the bronze-medal match, Russia was the best, defeating Canada by 10-8.
Despite the
comfortable six-goal difference, the US advantage was only obtained towards the
end of the game, as the scoreboard showed only a 9-8 (in favour of the winners)
partial three minutes into the final period. The Magyars – despite having some
opportunities to score – were then surprised by the five answered goals from
the North Americans, the current Olympic and world champions. The team led by
Maggie Stevens is of course favourite for the gold in the upcoming Olympic
Games in Tokyo.
For the match
deciding the bronze medal, Russia made a remarkable recovery, after losing by a
difference of three goals in the initial quarter (which ended 4-4). In the
subsequent periods, the Europeans controlled operations and were more efficient
in attack actions, closing the encounter at 10-8, and getting their fourth
bronze medal in the competition (Russia has an additional gold, from 2008, and
two silver linings).
Despite playing at
home, Greece could not do better than the sixth position, after losing with
Spain by 12-9 – in the final two minutes of the game, there was a 9-9 tie, but
a final and convincing effort from the Iberians allowed them to score three
goals, while the Hellenic side could not react on time.
Finally, in the match
for positions 7-8, an Asian duel opposed Japan and Kazakhstan. The hosts of the
Olympics were clearly superior, closing the encounter with a 18-10 victory.
Besides the encouraging win, the Japanese team had in Yumi Arima the best
scorer of this Super League, with a total of 23 goals.
Final ranking:
1. USA; 2. Hungary;
3. Russia; 4. Canada; 5. Spain; 6. Greece; 7. Japan; 8. Kazakhstan.
The FINA Men’s Water
Polo World League Super Final will be held in Tiblisi (GEO) from June 26 to
July 1, 2021 and will be contested by the following eight teams: Montenegro,
USA, Japan, Georgia, Greece, France, Kazakhstan and Italy.
Fédération
Internationale de Natation (FINA)
The Fédération
Internationale de Natation, founded in 1908, is the governing body for aquatics
worldwide. FINA's five discipline Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, Water
Polo and Artistic Swimming - are all included in the Olympic programme. High
Diving made its first appearance in FINA events at the 2013 FINA World
Championships. FINA counts 209 affiliated National Federations on the five
continents and has its headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).
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