United States of America and Greece gained the first semifinal berths on quarterfinal day. USA held off France 12-11 in a match that France controlled for large periods despite being held scoreless in the second quarter. Greek skipper Ioannis Fountoulis scored six goals as Greece swept aside Georgia 20-8. The final quarter read Fountoulis 4, Georgia 4.
United States of America was the first team through to the semifinals with a see-saw 12-11 victory over France.
The first half of the quarterfinal could not have been more contrasting. France controlled the first and USA shut out France in the second period. The third was drawn and France won the fourth, but came up one goal short of a shootout. It was a hot match, mirroring the 36C temperature, which was slightly down on Monday’s blistering conditions.
“It was a very tough, competitive game. It was a very important win for USA because as non-European country, it’s been a long time since we played at this level. I’m glad we won, but we need to clean up some mistakes ahead of the semifinal.”
France opened through skipper Ugo Crousillat and USA replied with a pair to take the lead, only to then watch as France marched into the second quarter with four unanswered goals. Crousillat scored the second and the fifth for a hat-trick. Alexandre Bouet and Romain Marion Vernoux, on counter, provided the others. The first six goals, incredibly came from action, something virtually unheard of in the modern game.
With France on a high and USA stunned, the coach talk must have worked as USA kept France scoreless and pounded in five goals for the 7-5 halftime advantage. Veteran Hannes Daube and Dylan Woodhead nailed two each with Marko Vavic converting an extra-man attack.
“It was very intense as both (teams) wanted to advance. It’s an opportunity to play in the semifinals and see what happens tomorrow.”
Goals were traded in the third period with France bringing the margin to one three times, and then levelling at 9-9 through an extra-man shot by Charles Cannone. It was short-lived as USA hammered in two more to maintain the two-goal margin at the final break, man-of-the-match Daube gaining his third and Ben Stevenson — both on extra. Bouet added two to his tally in the period from similar positions.
“It was one game where we were hoping it was possible to do something more. USA showed that they are still in front of us.”
The final eight minutes, naturally, proved critical and the low scoring showed the determination of both sides to make it through to the semifinals. Crousillat showed his captaincy with his fourth goal and 10-11 at 5:29. Bowen smashed in a penalty shot for 12-10 at 4:08. A USA turnover gave France a chance, taking a timeout, earning an exclusion and scoring through Cannone for 12-11 at 0:32. USA went to a timeout at 0:14 and Luca Cupido played the ball upfield until the final buzzer, gaining the semifinal berth.
Full match statistics — http://results.microplustiming.com/TBILISI2021/index_web.php
Greece breezed into the semifinals with an excellent, efficient and very sharp 20-8 victory over host nation Georgia.
Georgia played hard, worked its options and tried valiantly to stem the tornado-like Greek extra-man attack, to no avail. By halftime, Greece had five from eight on extra while Georgia had none from two. Greece increased it to 10/15 — a remarkable statistic in itself.
Greece sped to 5-0 with captain Ioannis Fountoulis and Georgios Dervisis netting two each before Georgia responded
“I am happy with our game. We are ready to fight (semifinal) and go into the final.
thanks to Nika Shushiashvili from the penalty line.
Greece left the door ajar slightly in the second quarter, with Marko Jelaca — such a positive force in the early matches — launching a missile from well out the top for 6-2. Three Greek strikes pushed the margin to seven before Shusiashvili gained a second, on extra-man attack. Konstantinos Genidounias scored three in the period, bringing up 10 goals for the week.
A 6-1 third quarter set the seal on the match with six different Greek scorers, showing just what skills the team has and the speed of conversions and crisp passing. Jelaca was the lone ray of hope for Georgia, converting extra.
The attention to detail and the willingness to play hard until the final whistle was tantamount to an exciting match. Greece maintained that pressure and Fountoulis provided the finishing with four goals — six for the match and a tournament-leading 13 for the week. He collected the player-of-the-match award, as well. Who else, but a 35-year-old who refuses to give up at any stage of the match? Georgia played its best water polo, equalling Greece’s effort with four goals and doubling its score. Two Boris Vapenski goals completed the Georgian scoring with Andria Bitadze and Valiko Dadvani scoring the other. Dadvani would be pleased with his first goal after having many exclusion fouls on him this week.