Men's Water Polo Day 1: Canada snatches draw with Montenegro

Match 1. 09:30, Group A, BRAZIL 6 KAZAKHSTAN 2

Quarters: 1-1, 0-1, 3-0, 2-0

Referees: Matan Schwartz (ISR), Yosuke Kajiwara (JPN).

Penalties: Nil.

Extra Man: BRA: 3/19. KAZ: 0/13

Teams:
BRAZIL: Slobodan Soro, Anderson Cruz, Guilherme Almeida (1), Gustavo Coutinho, Luis Silva, Ricardo Guimaraes, Pedro Stellet, Mateus Stellet, Bernardo Rocha (1), Hector Carrulo, Gustavo Guimaraes (4), Roberto Freitas, Leonardo Silva. Head Coach: Angelo Coelho.
KAZAKHSTAN: Madikhan Makhmetov, Evgeniy Medvedev, Stanislav Shvedov, Roman Pilipenko, Altay Altayev, Alexey Shmider, Murat Shakenov, Yulian Verdesh, Rustam Ukumanov (1), Mikhail Ruday, Ravil Manafov, Bolat Turlykhanov (1), Valeriy Shlemov. Head Coach: Nemanja Knezevic.

Brazil came from 2-1 down to score five unanswered goals for a comfortable victory over a sluggish Kazakhstan. The match started quietly and the first goal did not come until 2:41 when Ricardo Guimaraes sent one in from the deep left. There were few shots on target and those that were, were well controlled by the goalkeepers, especially Brazilian captain Slobodan Soro. In one such stop, the ball rebounded out to four metres and Bolat Turlykhanov retrieved the ball and backhanded into goal for 1-1 at 0:37. There was just the extra-man goal to Rustam Ukumanov, sending the ball in low from the left-hand-catch position.

The equaliser came early in the third when Bernardo Rocha rose high out of the water, turned and blasted into goal on extra-man attack. Brazil regained the lead through left post Guilherme Almeida, who steered in a cross pass on extra-man attack for 3-2 and then Guimaraes notched a second from the deep left, also on extra. Kazakhstan blew a two-man-up situation, not even shooting on the double advantage. The third quarter is always the most critical and Brazil — a top-eight finisher at the Rio Olympics — proved equal to the task with a 3-0 charge. Guimaraes nailed a 12m missile early in the final quarter followed up with a magnificent counter-attack goal at 1:01 for an unbeatable 6-2 margin. Kazakhstan never seemed to get into the match, Brazil stymying many of its chances and shooting being too wayward to make the secretary do any work. To Kazakhstan’s credit, goalkeeper Valeriy Shlemov made 11 saves, although the extra-man count left a lot to be desired.

Angelo Coelho (BRA) — Head Coach

“I have the best goalkeeper and defender. I’m very happy; it was the first game of the tournament and a victory for us, so we are motivated.”

Luis Ricardo Silva (BRA) — Player

“I feel happy. I was a little bit nervous as it was my first championship, but now I’m satisfied.”

Stanislav Shvedov (KAZ) — Player 

“We played quite well, but we were not able to score in extra-man situations, and generally, we were quite weak in attack, although we would have hoped to play a more equal game against Brazil.” 

Match 2, 10.50, Group A, MONTENEGRO 8 CANADA 8

Quarters: 3-1, 2-2, 1-1, 2-4

Referees: Georgios Stavridis (GRE), Francesc Buch (ESP).

Penalties: Nil.

Extra Man: MNE: 1/5. CAN: 3/10.

Teams:
MONTENEGRO: Dejan Lazovic, Drasko Brguljan, Bojan Banicevic, Marko Petkovic (3), Darko Brguljan (1), Aleksandar Radovic (1), Dragan Draskovic (1), Aleksa Vkropina, Duro Radovic, Sasa Misic (1), Uros Cuckovic, Nikola Murisic (1), Milos Scepanovic. Head Coach: Vladimir GoJkovic.
CANADA: Milan Radenovic, Gaelen Patterson, Jeremie Blanchard, Nicolas Constantin-Bicari (2), Matthew Halajian, Scott Robinson, Reuel D’Souza (2), David Lappins, Dusan Radojcic, Aria Soleimanipak (1), Georgios Torakis (2), Devon Thumwood (1), Robin Randall. Head Coach: Giuseppe Porzio.

Canada gained an improbable draw with Montenegro, scoring four goals in five minutes, getting the equaliser with just 21 seconds left on the clock. While Montenegro had the 3-1 quarter-time lead, it was even for the middle two periods as Montenegro struggled to shake off the Canadians. Marko Petkovic was the go-to man for the Europeans scoring a pair in the first and the sixth goal in the third quarter. One came from a cross pass, the second on counter and the third on extra. Canada’s three were from hard work, on counter, from six metres and a missile from Devon Thumwood down the left side. The real damage came at the top of the fourth when Montenegro swiftly went to 8-4 through a Nikola Murisic backhand and a Darko Brguljan drag down of an angled pass on the left post. Aria Soleimanipak skipped one in cross cage for 8-5 at 5:30, giving Canada some hope.

That extra breath of life was repeated by captain Constantin-Bicari with a 5m conversion at 2:53. Italian great Pino Porzio, coaching Canada, gained a yellow card during the celebrations. The Canadian sled slipped into overdrive when Reuel D’Souza, in the deep-left position, scored against the odds as the teams had slipped to his side. His cross-cage shot drew Canada to within one at 1:26. Montenegro missed with its attack and at 0:37, Canada earned an exclusion foul. The ball moved speedily around the arc and on about the sixth pass, Torakis, on the right post, gathered, turned and steered the ball into the bottom right for the equaliser at 0:21, thrilling the small Canadian spectator group. Montenegro went into damage control with a timeout, but it could not get a shot away in those final 21 seconds and had to settle for the draw.

Giuseppe Porzio (CAN) — Head Coach

“Montenegro is one of the best teams in the world with a great goalkeeper and brilliant players. Still we were fighting hard, we did good defence and we put big pressure on them. What matters is that we have one point against such a powerhouse team. We are a young team, but our heads were clear in the last minute. It was a nice experience for the guys, it was our first step."

Aria Soleimanipak (CAN) — Goal scorer

“It’s a great thing that we played against one of the best teams in the world. We fought hard and achieved a draw. We learned from our mistakes, and it was very useful. I think we can play even better next time.”

Jeremie Blanchard (CAN) — Player 

“It’s a big game for us and we were excited. It was important to have that extra point, and to do well in the rest of the tournament.”

Vladimir Gojkovic (MNE) — Head Coach

“We are not satisfied, we wanted to win, especially as we were leading by four goals five minutes before the end of the match. It is acceptable against a stronger team, but not against Canada; we cannot afford it. The result is only our fault. We have to analyse our weaknesses, learn the lessons and focus on our second match.”

Drasko Brguljan (MNE) — Goal scorer

“We led throughout three quarters and we had a four-goal advantage. More experienced players, like me, made a mistake. We thought we were done and let ourselves go. Canada received three man-ups at the end, while we did not get any. From now on, we will concentrate only on upcoming games since the tournament has just started.”

Match 3, 12:10, Group B, FRANCE 9 ITALY 18

Quarters: 2-5, 4-3, 1-7, 2-3

Referees: Vojin Putnikovic (SRB). Frank Ohme (GER).

Penalties: FRA: 1/1.

Extra Man: FRA: 6/10. ITA: 7/13.
Teams:
FRANCE: Remi Garsau, Remi Saudadier, Igor Kovacevic (1), Logan Piot, Dino Guillaume (2), Thibaut Simon (1), Ugo Crousillat (3), Michal Izdinsky, Mehdi Marzouki (2), Manuel Laversane, Mathieu Peisson, Alexandre Camarasa, Hugo Fontani. Head Coach: Hrvoje Hrestak.
ITALY: Stefano Tempesti, Francesco Di Fulvio (5), Niccolo Gitto (1), Pietro Figlioli (2), Nicholas Presciutti (1), Cristiano Mirarchi, Alessandro Nora (1), Andrea Fondelli (1), Vincenzo Renzuto (2), Michael Bodegas (2), Matteo Aicardi (2), Zeno Bertoli (1), Goran Volarevic. Head Coach: Alessandro Campagna.

Italy is the master on extra-man play and this aspect of the game came under close scrutiny in a high-fouling match. Italy was always in control and the speed passing, accuracy and finishing was sublime. The first half was action-packed with a multitude of extra-man plays, a penalty goal and some inspirational shots from acute angles. Vincenzo Renzuto landed the first two goals from the same right-hand-catch position, one on extra and the other just after the exclusion period. Francesco Di Fulvio scored twice, one from eight metres and the other on counter. France’s goals came from extra and the penalty line. France had the better of Italy in the second quarter as goals were traded to 8-5. Then, with two seconds left, Thibaut Simon converted extra for a two-goal deficit. It was almost chaotic at times, such was the simultaneous action around the pool.

Andrea Fondelli, opened the second half with a goalkeeper-deflected shot into the left post for a three-goal margin on the first attack. Two minutes later Di Fulvio slipped in his fourth off a cross pass. While nearly submerged on the drive, he flipped the ball from his left hand to his right to score for 10-6. Crousillat with a screamer and then Matteo Aicardi on extra, maintained the four-goal difference. Di Fulvio delighted with his fifth goal on counter and suddenly, Italy was five goals ahead at 3:08. Italy converted two extra-man attacks and a goal from the top for 15-7 by the final break. Italy had broken France’s back and sculpted a victory worthy of a former world champion nation. Michael Bodegas converted a cross pass on extra and Figlioli smashed in a counter-attack goal to lift the score to 17-7. Crousillat netted his third, on extra, as did Guillaume a minute later, proving France still had gas in the tank — 17-9 at 0:52. Italy took a timeout at 0:39 and 19 seconds later Bodegas had yet another Italian extra-man goal in what was an enthralling match.

Alessandro Campagna (ITA) — Head Coach

“There were good moments during the match on our side and moments which we should work on with our players to be able to play better against the Hungarians (next opponent).”

Matteo Aicardi (ITA) — Two goals

“We feel good here in the World Championships, but at the middle of the day the water can be really hot, so we hope that in the evening match against Hungary it will be colder and we can play better.” 

Hrvoje Hrestak (FRA) — Head Coach

“It’s hard to lose like this. It was not a tough game physically, but we made mistakes and let the Italians make counter-attacks and we could not control it. We played better in the first and second quarter, then Italy dominated, mostly in the third quarter.”

Match 5. 13:30, Group C, SPAIN 7 GREECE 8

Quarters: 1-3, 2-2, 1-1, 3-2

Referees: Radoslaw Koryzna (POL), Peter Molnar (HUN).

Penalties: Nil.

Extra Man: ESP: 0/9. GRE: 5/10.

Teams:
SPAIN: Daniel Lopez, Alberto Munarriz (1), Alvaro Granados, Miguel Del Toro (1), Alejandro Bustos, Marc Minguell, Alberto Barroso (1), Albert Espanol, Roger Tahull (1), Francisco Fernandez, Blai Mallarach (2), Victor Gutierrez (1), Jose Maria Motos. Head Coach: David Martin.
GREECE: Konstantinos Flegkas, Konstantinos Genidounias, Evangelos Delakas (1), Georgios Dervisis (1), Ioannis Fountoulis (2), Marios Kapotsis (1), Kyriakos Pontikeas, Kanakakis Argyropoulos, Konstantinos Mourikis, Christodoulos Kolomvos, Alexandros Gounas (1), Angelos Vlachopoulos (2), Emmanouil Zerdevas. Head Coach: Theodoros Vlachos.

Greece squandered a three-goal margin in the final quarter against Spain, but came through with the winner in the last 80 seconds for a stunning success. Spain opened the scoring, but it was Greece that struck a vein of gold with four consecutive goals until two minutes into the second quarter. Spain worked hard to stay in touch with Miguel Del Toro putting in an almost impossible turning shot down the left-post position on extra for 4-2. Greece went out to three again, through Marios Kapotsis from the top. In the dying seconds Blai Mallarach narrowed it to two with a shot cross cage from deep right. Defence was the key in the third period and the first goal did not come until 3:17 when Spanish goalkeeper Daniel Lopes was sitting in the bin. Vlachopoulos netted his second and Greece was three up again.

Barrosso showed fine shooting form, taking a wide cross pass at seven metres and scoring in one motion for 6-4 at 2:50. Neither side could breach the defence by the final break. Alexander Gounas converted extra-man attack for the three-goal margin early in the fourth period, only for Spain to explode out of the missile silo. Mallarach sent in a rifle shot with his big left arm; Victor Gutierrez scored from close off a rebound pass and then Roger Tahull scored the best centre-forward goal of the day to level the match at 7-7 by 3:27 — three goals in just over two minutes. Greece had two extra-man attacks shut down and Munarriz had the goalie beaten, but struck the right upright. Fountoulis stole the ball off Spain inside two minutes, went upfield and earned an exclusion foul. Georgios Dervisis steered the ball into goal to regain the lead off the right-post position at 1:20. Spain earned an exclusion foul at 1:00, but had its shot blocked. Greece regained the ball and controlled it until the final buzzer for an 8-7 victory.

David Martin (ESP) — Head Coach

"I think it was a well-played match. We got close to be able to win the game. Now we have to keep going on. There are many young players in our team, who are still improving and growing, but I expect we can maintain the level."

Blai Mallarach (ESP) — Two goals

"We played good, at the end we were even close to winning the game."

Thoedorus Vlachos (GRE) — Head Coach

“We came here to win every game. We have a different team with new players. We need more time to see in which level is my team. For now we fight every game, for every victory. To arrive at the top would be successful for us.”

Ioannis Fountoulis (GRE) — Two goals

“It was difficult, but both teams are talented. It was a little bit stressful.”

Match 6. 17:30, Group C, SERBIA 21 SOUTH AFRICA 5

Quarters: 6-1, 7-1, 5-1, 3-2

Referees: Michael Brooks (NZL), Nader Ghafouri (IRI).

Penalties: Nil.

Extra Man: SRB: 3/8. RSA: 0/6.

Teams:
SERBIA: Gojko Pijetlovic, Dusan Mandic (1), Viktor Rasovic (2), Sava Randelovic, Milos Cuk (2), Dusko Pijetlovic (2), Nemanja Ubovic (1), Milan Aleksic (3), Nikola Jaksic (3), Filip Filipovic (2), Andrija Prlainovic (3), Stefan Mitrovic (2), Branislav Mitrovic. Head Coach: Dejan Savic.
SOUTH AFRICA: Julian Lewis, Etienne Le Roux (2), Devon Card (1), Ignardus Badenhorst, Christopher Brown (1), Joao Marco De Carvalho, Lodewyk Rabie, Nicholas Rodda, Dean Whyte, Pierre Le Roux, Nicholas Molyneux (1), Roarke Olver, Themba Mthembu. Head Coach: Paul Martin.

Olympic, World, World Cup, World League and European champion Serbia made short shrift of South Africa, scoring at will and using superior strength, power shooting and everything else you wish to name. South Africa was always going to be on a win to nothing, but that didn’t stop the men in green from having a shot, scoring in each of the first two quarters and even scoring in the third and twice in the last. The biggest problem for South Africa was poor passing. Serbia jumped on everything and this is why the score mounted in the second quarter, especially. Serbia spread the goals around with Milos Cuk, Nikola Jaksic and Milan Aleksic all scoring twice.

South Africa did better keeping play in the Serbian 5m zone in the third quarter, once having three consecutive attacks and twice more soon after. Serbia scored two to start the period and South Africa gained a third with Etienne Le Roux pressuring the goalkeeper into an own goal. Serbia lifted a notch with three goals in a minute, but could not add to the score in the final two minutes. Serbia went to 21-3 and South Africa was still chasing, gaining plenty of extra-man plays, had Aleksic sent for three majors and even scored on one of those with Devon Card tapping in a pass, skipping under the goalkeeper’s arm for 21-4 . There was more joy for South Africa with Chris Brown nailing an extra-man shot from the top right with two minutes left, which turned out to be the final goal. However, it was really all about Serbia blowing out the cobwebs before the tougher matches to come.

Dejan Savic (SRB) — Head Coach

“I wouldn’t say that it was an easy training for us, because we had had a strong and tiring preparation phase before the tournament, but it is a fact that we were the favourites this time. We are fighting to win this group, at the beginning of the new Olympic cycle. Our goal is to go back home from Budapest with a medal.”

Viktor Rasovic (SRB) — Two goals

“This was my first match and my first goal in the national team in a major tournament, so I am still under the spell of it. Although the goal was the merit of the team, not me. I feel fantastic here and I hope that we continue our winning series. We tried to get our rhythm in the first quarter and we maintained it until the end. I commend my goal to my mother and to my brother. I feel very sorry that he cannot be here now, because it would have been fabulous to debut together in the team of Serbia in the world championship.”

Paul Martin (RSA) – Head Coach

“It’s always a privilege to play against Serbia. They are one of the best teams in the world. We came to this tournament as self-funded amateurs, so to play on this level is obviously very difficult. But, at times, when we played to our game plan and we played composed, relaxed water polo, we actually looked quite good out there. We did, in fact, have our little victories, and I would celebrate them rather than focusing on the bad aspects of the game.”

Etienne le Roux (RSA) — Captain and two goals

“It was a really difficult game for us, but we tried our best. It is an honour to play against the world champions. We will try to improve against Greece and Spain and try to concede less goals and work on our tactics to be more dangerous and score a few more goals.”

Match 7, 18:50, Group D, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 7 CROATIA 12

Quarters: 1-3, 2-4, 1-3, 3-2

Referees: Adrian Alexandrescu (ROU), Alessandro Severo (ITA).

Penalties: Nil.

Extra Man: USA: 5/9. CRO: 3/9.

Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: McQuin Baron, Johnathan Hooper (1), Marco Vavic (1), Alexander Obert (1), Benjamin Hallock, Luca Cupido (2), Thomas Dunstan, Nicholas Carniglia, Alexander Bowen (2), Chancellor Ramirez, Alex Roelse, Maxwell Irving, Drew Holland. Head Coach: Dejan Udovicic.
CROATIA: Marko Bijac, Marko Macan, Loren Fatovic (1), Luka Loncar (4), Maro Jokovic (1), Ivan Buljubasic, Ante Vukicevic (2), Andro Buslje, Sandro Sukno, Ivan Krapic, Andelo Setka, Javier Garcia Gadea (4), Ivan Marcelic. Head Coach: Ivica Tucak.

These two teams have played each other six times in the past month with five heading the way of Olympic silver medallist Croatia. There is much more experience in the Croatian camp, but USA played up to its opponent at every opportunity. USA opened through Luca Cupido, but Ante Vukicevic netted either side of a Luka Loncar driving shot. Loncar and Loren Fatovic scored the first two of the second quarter and Croatia had a four-goal advantage.  Goals were traded until the half with Croatia healthily in the lead. Loncar with a third from a two-metre backhand and Garcia Gadea from left-hand catch, stretched that margin to six early in the third quarter.

Cupido scored his second with a five-metre, free-throw score on extra to grab one back at 4:00. Croatia regained the six-goal lead through Javier Garcia Gadea to close the period. Alex Bowen collected his second with a blast from the top that hit the bar and bounced in off Marko Bijac’s hand top open the final period. By now, Croatia was not out to expend too much energy, being content to intercept and progress up the pool in a more pedestrian fashion. Garcia Gadea lobbed McQuin Baron for a second time, but this time successful, for his fourth goal at 1:26. Alex Obert turned and sent in a smart goal for 12-6 with Loncar tallying a fourth at 0:34. Marko Vavic scored from the deep left off a quick pass at 0:12 to win the quarter 3-2. However, Croatia had the well-earned victory.  

Dejan Udovicic (USA) — Head Coach

“Croatia definitely deserved the win. We made a lot of silly mistakes that they, as an experienced team, used against us. Playing against a team like Croatia is never an easy task. We give our best in every match that we play and every time it is a ’to be or not to be’ situation.”

Alex Bowen (USA) — Two goals

“We made some mistakes during the match. They scored way too many goals by turnovers. That was the difference.”

Ivica Tucak (CRO) — Head coach

“We played very well; we deserved the win. We could press on our pace on the American team. We were scared of the American team, because USA is not an easy match-up. But I’m satisfied with our start here at the World Championships.”

Sandro Sukno (CRO) — Player

“Our start was good, which was not an easy thing, because the USA is a strong team. They couldn’t show it today, but I’m sure that they will play much better than now. We didn’t give our best, but I hope we reach it for the quarter-finals and we will play for a medal.”

Match 4, 20.10, Group A, AUSTRALIA 3 HUNGARY 13

Quarters: 1-1, 1-4, 1-2, 0-6

Referees: Andrej Franulovic (CRO), Steven Rotsart (USA).

Penalties: HUN: 1/1.

Extra Man: AUS: 0/6. HUN: 2/5.

Teams:
AUSTRALIA: Edward Slade, Timothy Putt, George Ford, Joseph Kayes (1), Nathan Power, Lachlan Edwards (1), Jarrod Gilchrist, Aaron Younger (1), Andrew Ford, James Fannon, Lachlan Hollis, Nicholas Brooks, Anthony Hrysanthos. Head Coach: Elvis Fatovic.
HUNGARY: Viktor Nagy, Bela Torok (2), Krisztian Manhercz (2), Gergo Zalanki, Marton Vamos (2), Norbert Hosnyanszky (1), Adam Decker, Miklos Gor-Nagy, Balazs Erdelyi, Denes Varga (4), Tamas Mezei (1), Balazs Harai (1), Attila Decker. Head Coach: Tamas Marcz.

This was all about how Hungary would entertain the sold-out, 8000 crowd rather than the predictable result. And what a thunderous crowd it was! People hanging from the rafters, it really was, with the stands soaring to the sky and every seat filled. The noise was amazing, but incredibly stilled when Australia opened the scoring through Lachlan Edwards off the left-post position after a pop pass from Aaron Younger, who lives and plays in Hungary, Hungary did what it had to do and that was deliver. It came in spades with four straight goals — from Marton Vamos to level before quarter time; captain Denes Varga with a pair — one an excellent counter — and the experienced Norbert Hosnyanszky from the top. Younger drilled one from the top on extra to pull one back at 1:01. Hungary went to a timeout and Varga collected his third, also from the top, with 30 seconds remaining for 5-2 at the long break. While Varga was the star at the sharp end, many attacks were made by goalkeeper Viktor Nagy’s brilliant defensive effort.

The Aussie Sharks had given up eight turnovers and Hungary six. The third period was just as thrilling with Varga converting a penalty two minutes in and the Sharks almost converting a cross pass on one metre, but it hit the crossbar. Balazs Harai was denied two goals, which visibly upset him. However, Bela Torok made up for it on extra and 7-2. Joe Kayes, who has also plied his trade in Hungary, dragged a high cross pass into goal for 7-3 at 1:44 and to the hush of the crowd. Then came the miracle quarter. Harai delivered for the third time, but for his first goal, when he turned and hammered the ball into goal early in the final quarter. Tamas Mezei repeated the dose from centre forward with his powerful left arm and by now it was 9-3. Youngster Krisztian Manhercz gained his first World Championship goal from outside while unattended, two minutes after Mezei’s goal. Vamos added to the tally with a bounce into the top of the net, first thought not to have fully gone over the line, but then confirmed for a fourth straight Hungarian strike. Torok bounced one in and Manhercz nailed a second on counter to close the scoring — an incredible display of 6-0 in the quarter. Hungary’s class was evident with superb finishing and smothering defence, as well as Nagy’s aerial antics with a handsome 13 saves.

Tamas Marcz (HUN) — Head Coach

“I think this game started well. We had the opportunities, the chances, but we needed some time to had the rhythm. There was no mess in heads and this is a very positive thing; everyone stayed calm. My expectation was what happened. I knew that the difference of qualities could brighten up. This victory is a beautiful birthday gift for me.”

Viktor Nagy (HUN) — Goalkeeper, 13 saves

“Playing in this pool was fantastic and very emotional as always. I think we should concentrate in every game 100 percent, and if we make it, we would reach great results at the end of the World Championships. If our defence is OK, everything is OK. Today’s performance was good.”

Elvis Fatovic (AUS) — Head Coach

“It’s a pleasure to play in this pool, in front of this crowd. It’s an absoluty privilege for everyone to play here. In the first quarter we played smart, but we didn’t make enough counter-attacks, but in the second quarter we offered too many counter-attacks.”

Lachlan Edwards (AUS) — Goal scorer

“I think we learned that we have to take care of the ball, because they capitalised from our mistakes towards the end of the game. But it was an amazing experience playing in front of this home crowd, and they really got behind them. It made the game so much better. But credit to Hungary. They’re extremely dangerous, I think they put a lot more pressure on us. They obviously turned up the intensity and we didn’t adjust to it and the scoreboard showed that.”

Match 8. 21:30, Group D, JAPAN 8 RUSSIA 15

Quarters: 1-5, 2-3, 2-3, 3-4

Referees: Daniel Flahive (AUS), Stanko Ivanovski (MNE).

Penalties: RUS: 1/1.

Extra Man: JPN: 2/7. RUS: 4/8.

Teams:
JAPAN: Katsuyuki Tanamura, Seiya Adachi (1), Shuma Kawamoto, Mitsuaki Shiga (1), Takuma Yoshida (2), Atsuto Iida, Mitsuru Takata, Atsushi Arai (2), Kohei Inaba, Keigo Okawa (2), Kenta Araki, Tomoyoshi Fukushima. Head Coach: Yogi Omoto.
RUSSIA: Kirill Korneev, Nikolay Lazarev (1), Egor Vasilyev (2), Nikita Dereviankin (3), Alexey Bugaychuk, Artem Ashaev, Daniil Merkulov (3), Ivan Nagaev (3), Ivan Suchkov, Dmitrii Kholod, Sergey Lisunov (3), Roman Shepelev, Vitaly Statsenko. Head Coach: Sergey Evstigneev.

Russia finished with an excellent victory, built largely on the 5-1 first quarter. It was a period where Japan lost Atsuto Iida through three major fouls. Japan managed to make the scoreboard in the second quarter, but Russia still drew out by another goal and turned at 8-3. Russia punished Japan at every opportunity. In the third period, Russia was still on fire and Japan’s Mitsuru Takata joined Iida on the bench with three major fouls. Keigo Okawa rifled in two long shots to keep the match honest, but earlier captain Sergey Lisunov and Daniil Merkulov grabbed their third goals and had the 11-5 lead by the final break of the day.

Japan was finishing faster than Russia and seemingly had energy to burn, gaining two goals to Russia’s one at the start of the fourth quarter. However, Russia was still in the hunt for a good margin and Nikita Dereviankin used his sheer power close in and his left arm for 13-7. Takuma Yoshida scored his second only for Nikolay Lazarev and Dereviankin to smash in two more for 15-8 by 1:18., the final result.

Sergey Evstigneev (RUS) — Head Coach

“This was our first game in this championship and we started really good. We based our game on counter-attacks, which was really successful. Congrats to my boys, they did a really good job tonight. I will not change anything for the next game, we will play our own game. Our main goal is to pass group stage and after the quarter-finals, every win is a gift.”

Ivan Nagaev (RUS) —Three goals

“It was a good game. We were able to play what the coach asked us to do. We had to play disciplined against Japan, because they are a fast team, who build on counter-attacks.”

Yoji Omoto (JPN) — Head Coach

“We played poorly in the first quarter and the Russians capitalised on this. We beat them in the Super Final and that was our goal today as well, but we failed. We expect an even tougher game next time against USA, because they are better physically and are faster than the Russian team.”

Mitsuaki Shiga (JPN) —Goal scorer

“We played against Russia in the Super Final and we knew they were a good team and the small things will matter in this game. The score was our fault. We weren’t able to stay close to them.”