Final rankings:
1. Spain
2. Hungary
3. United States of America
4. Netherlands
5. Italy
6. Australia
7.Canada
8. New Zealand
Price:
Most Valuable Player: Rita Keszthelyi (HUN).
Tournament Guardian: Martina Terre (ESP).
Ranking 1-2
SPAIN 19 HUNGARY 18 on penalties (FT: 11-11. Pens: 8-7)
European champions Spain can now add the FINA World League title to their roster after a stunning 20 penalty shootout victory over Hungary. It was a magnificent game, tied every number nine at 3-3 in the quarter, 6-6 at halftime and 9-9 at the final break. It was end-to-end action with Hungary taking the lead and Spain leading at four, six, seven and 10, moving to 11-9 before Hungary claimed the final two goals and the last beating. just the buzzer and a VAR decision just to make sure, thus forcing the shootout. If you watched the game backwards, you could spot some mistakes, like Spain’s inability to help the goalkeeper Martine Land – the best of the tournament – by leaving it blocked with a defender, resulting in a three against one at 6-6, with one second remaining. Then there was Paula Leiton who was caught in a clutch at 5:29 into the final quarter and play was stopped for five minutes as VAR was used, sending first Leiton from the pool with a red card for fighting and then knocking him down. If that wasn’t dramatic enough for the packed Spanish crowd, there was a double shutout at 3:07, but Judith Forca scored a second straight goal soon after for 11-9. The crowd was delighted. So Dora Leimeter scored on an extra-man attack for 11-10. Shortly after, Hungary had a shot rebound and resumed at 0:13 and Greta Gurisatti struck in a shot from wide left and VAR used to determine he left the hand before the buzzer sounded. He did and the shooting happened. It was as excruciating for the players as it was for the spectators with Spain firing first and both having been stopped by the stoic Alda Magyari. Earth stopped the second and third Hungarian shots then 13 went past the goalkeepers before Gurisatti, the Hungarian heroine 15 minutes earlier, having seen her shot stopped a few millimeters from the crossing, according to VAR. Spain had won their first crown and would forever retain the trophy as the eventual winners of the World League before the World Cup would eclipse them for years to come.
match hero
So many, with forced and Leiton four goals each for Spain, but it was probably the tournament’s most valuable player, the Hungarian Rita Keszthelyi, who emerged the best in the water with five goals. She was tireless all week and, despite not scoring many goals earlier, stepped up when it was needed most. Her long career deserved a gold medal, but she should be happy with her efforts for silver.
Turning
At Gurisatti last-minute goal to force the shootout.
The stats don’t lie
Both teams converted six more goals with Spain on 10 attempts and Hungary on 13. The only penalty goal went to Hungary.
Conclusion
Spain have had an amazing journey under the head coach Miki Oca, the 1996 Olympic champion, since he took the reins and the team has achieved so much, especially this year after the disappointment of fifth place at the Worlds in Budapest and European gold in Split. Now Spain add a second World League medal, but this time it’s gold, to go with silver from 2016 and 10 Super Final appearances. Hungary go home with eight performances and three silver medals and that incredible victory over the United States the day before.
FINA power ranking before the event
Spain 2n/aHungary 3rd.
Rank 3-4
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 16 NETHERLANDS 15 on penalties (FT: 11-11. Pens: 5-4)
For the second time in 18 appearances, the United States won a bronze medal, which means that in the history of this event they have only missed one medal – fifth in 2005. By winning 14 titles and by finishing second once, the United States exits the competition as the top performing nation. Although it wasn’t gold today, the team showed what they could do and crushed a game against the Netherlands in a shootout by just one goal. The closeness of the game was such that it was tied seven times – one, two, three, seven, nine, 10 and 11. The Netherlands opened, but then had to catch the United States, trailing 6-3 then 7-4 at halftime. The Dutch made it 7-7 in less than three minutes before Jordan Raney sent in a brace for the final break advantage 9-7. Another three-goal push by the women in orange not only earned a draw when Lola Moohuijzen converted to extra-man attack, but also went ahead thanks to Maartje Keuning. Moolhuijzen committed a cardinal sin earlier in the match when she was ejected and then inexplicably returned to the pool as an illegal player, earning a penalty foul which USA converted for 2-1. She later made amends with her own penalty score en route to 10 goals for the tournament while celebrating her 18th birthday.e birthday. Raney and Bente Rogge goals exchanged and at 2:53, Rachel Fatal blown in the 11-11 equalizer, which led to the shootout. The Netherlands won the toss and the only shooter to save their shot was Marit van der Weijden, who made a great FINA debut at this location otherwise.
match hero
Raney scored six goals before today and sent five more in the game that counted and scored the final shot of the shootout rotation to win the game and claim the bronze medal. Goalkeeper Ashley Johnson made a crucial save for the United States in the shootout but made numerous others, including two consecutive snap saves earlier in the game, thwarting what should have been an easy Dutch scoreline.
Turning points
USA down from 3-3 to 6-3; Netherlands drop from 7-4 to 7-7; Raney making it 9-7, then the Netherlands move to 10-9. USA’s 2-1 in the final four minutes got the line through.
The stats don’t lie
The United States converted five of nine on an extra attack and the Dutch four of eight and there was a penalty goal apiece.
Conclusion
The United States has been the world’s premier nation for so long and the 14 World League crowns, one silver and two bronze in 18 appearances is unprecedented in world sport. The Netherlands come away with a silver and a bronze in eight outings and the thought “If only…” This could have been the second team to defeat the normally invincible North Americans at this tournament.
FINA power ranking before the event
United States 1stNetherlands 4e.
Rank 5-6
ITALY 13 AUSTRALIA 11
With a 9-4 lead two minutes from half-time, Italy were the deserved winners of this final encounter for the teams. It looked all over the place as Australia struggled to find decent shots and were blocked by the Setterosa. The quarter was 4-2 for Italy after being tied at one and two. Even though Australia slipped in the last goal of the first half, thanks to Mathilde Kearns in addition, four seconds from the buzzer, Italy was the team of the day. Then an unusual thing happened. The Aussie Stingers repeated their antics from the night before against Canada by winning the third period 5-1. Today it was 6-2, which gave another color to the match. Starting 9-4 in the previous quarter, the Stingers went twice three straight with the second stanza taking the game to an incredible 11-11 by the final whistle. It took two minutes to Dafne Bettini score on counter and captain Chiara Tabani drive and cross pass extra for the Italian score 13-11 at 5:06. Nothing either team did could bring another goal and Italy finished fifth.
match hero
Domatilla Picozzi scored three goals with a pair in the first quarter and a third to make it 10-7 in the third. Alice Williams watching the game with three goals for Australia and Bronte Halligan scored another pair for 14 in Tenerife.
Turning points
Italy from 2-2 to 9-4 then Australia from 9-4 to 11-11. Italy’s last two goals were the ones that really mattered.
The stats don’t lie
Italy scored four of nine from an extra attack and Australia three of nine. Claudia Marlette converted two penalties for Italy – 15 goals for the week – and Halligan one for Australia.
Conclusion
Italy has the experience this year with the World League, World and European Championships and it showed. Australia have played brilliantly in some games and need to string together more good spells ahead of Fukuoka 2022 next year. Italy exit the competition with four silver and one bronze while Australia come away with four silver and six bronze, second in total behind the United States.
FINA power ranking before the event
Australia 5eItaly 6e.
Ranking 7-8
NEW ZEALAND 6 CANADA 13
Canada picked up a second victory for the week and finished seventh. Their shootout victory over the Netherlands was heroic, but did not improve their position in the last four. Canada showed why they deserve to be in the top echelon of world rowing, edging the Kiwis 4-4 in the first quarter, moving to 7-4 at halftime and 10-5 at the final break. The Kiwis were kept almost scoreless in the middle quarters with the Maddie Quin goal at 1:44 the only relief. New Zealand equalized at one, three and four in an interesting first quarter that scored eight goals and none were on an extra player attack. These are all field goals, including three centre-forward losses. In fact, the first of three extra goals came halfway through the second quarter. It was that kind of match where the players had fun and played freely. Congratulations to Canada, whose 18 appearances in the World League Super Final alongside the United States of America is a record and has collected two silver medals – 2009 and 2017. For New Zealand, it s was a cameo performance with five games in his first appearance and received vital data for the following years.
match hero
Kyra Christmas was the undisputed star with four goals, scoring in four different ways, including a penalty. She scored 14 for the tournament. For the Kiwis, Emily Nicholson scored her team’s first three goals in the quarter, and 10 for the week, as she was well on the hunt.
Turning
The second, third and fourth quarters where Canada went from 4-4 to 13-5.
The stats don’t lie
In a game that gave few chances to attack from an extra player, Canada came out on top with two out of six while New Zealand won one out of seven. Canada converted both attempts penalty.
Conclusion
Canada were the superior team entering the tournament and had that glorious shootout victory under their belt. Canada have played more games on the world stage than the Kiwis in recent years and it showed.
FINA power ranking before the event
Canada 7eNew Zealand 8e.
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