Greece and Spain burst through to the classification 5-6 final following victories over Japan and Kazakhstan today. Greece won 17-5 and Spain lifted after some shaky matches to down Kazakhstan ??20-8. Japan and Kazakhstan will play for seventh place.
Greece came away with the necessary victory to earn the right to play for fifth place by beating Japan 17-5 in the classification 5-8 semifinals.
Greece could easily have been in the top four but for some lacklustre performances. Tonight there was no lethargy, but a desire to make amends and finish the tournament well, as it will be the last of the major tournaments this year for a team which did not qualify for Tokyo 2020.
“We did exactly as we were told to do and that was to score, which was very good for us. Japan is a bit unconventional but a great opponent to play as they will play in the Olympics.”
It was the Eleni Xenaki show in the first half as she bludgeoned the Japanese goal from her favoured two-metre position. She scored the opening two goals for Greece, opened the second quarter and then added two more, including the last before halftime for a total five goals. She was well aided by beautiful placement of the ball by her team-mates.
The second quarter was scoreless for Japan after nabbing two in the first. The smothering play of Greece demoralised Japan and goals started coming like a truck through a hedge.
The third period was just as bad until skipper Yumi Arima, such a vital cog in the machinery, netted at 1:14 for 13-3 and on the buzzer, Kaho Iwana countered for 13-4. Earlier, Greece’s Eirini Ninou converted a penalty foul and Maria Myriokefalitaki fired in consecutive goals from centre forward.
“It was difficult for us as we did not make the top four here. We focused on defence and we hope to finish with another win.”
Arima opened the fourth with a short drive and lob. Nikoleta Eleftheriadou scored twice — coming across to the centre-forward position and then from deep left off a pinpoint cross pass — to register her fourth goal. Christina Tsoukala drilled one from the top for her third; Myriokefalitaki screamed one across the head of the goalkeeper from point-blank range as the last minute loomed, which proved to be the final score — 17-5.
Japan's inability to score on extra-man attack was another telling factor in the hefty loss.
Full match statistics — http://results.microplustiming.com/athens2021
Spain muscled its way to the play-off for fifth, beating Kazakhstan 20-8
The speed of Spain’s start promised much with Elena Ruiz beginning the way she intended to play all match. Her opening goal was nearly matched by Darya Roga from the penalty line; her shot was saved by Maria Sanchez. Anna Espar slotted two in quick succession and Spain was set for a big win. Ruiz scored twice more and Judith Forca brought up six with just five seconds left on the clock. Getting that goal was well timed, but what happened next was utterly remarkable. Let’s go back five minutes and Anastassiya Yeremina scored from the top on extra and Anna Turova converted a penalty. Kazakhstan was four down. Yeremina was given the ball back on her four-metre line at the five-second restart and then proceeded to send a sputnik into orbit, parachuting to the water over the outstretched arms of three defenders in the Spanish goal. It plopped on the line and a VAR decision said the rocket had landed inside the cage with one second left on the clock. Spectacular and what should be the goal of the tournament.
“We played very well and very hard. We had a week to prepare for this type of matches and we played well. We are going to play at 100 per cent (against Greece). We will play very hard to win tomorrow.”
In the second quarter Spain raced out to 9-3. However, the rest of the period turned out 3-3 as Kazakhstan started to find rhythm and excellent shooting choices. Spain turned as the 12-6 leader.
The third quarter was much the same as teams traded goals and Spain led 16-8. It was a delight as the match was not riddled with major fouls and players were allowed to display their natural game. The match was always going to be Spain’s and the teams seemed to play accordingly. Kazakhstan would be happy with the two goals and especially Forca’s blocked penalty shot by goalkeeper Alexandra Zharkinbayeva.
The entertaining nature of the match continued in the final period with Anna Espar converting a penalty for her third and Ruiz collected her fifth with another well-aimed missile. Centre forwards Paula Leiton and Maica Garcia scored the 19th and 20th goals with aplomb, bringing up the 20 Spanish goals.
“We’re trying to get better and better on our way to the Olympics. (Against Greece) It will be a very, very hard game. Greece will play finally with a full team all together so we must do it well to have a chance in the game.”
Kazakhstan will play Japan for seventh place and Spain will be looking for a cracker of a match against Greece for fifth classification.
Full match statistics — http://results.microplustiming.com/athens2021