Group A — Budapest

ITALY 31 COLOMBIA 5

Italy put itself on top of the group with five points with the last match remaining and Hungary beat Canada to make sure the tiebreaker was not needed. It was Italy all the way, as it should have been, although in the early stages, Colombia looked in with a chance when it tied the match at one and two. That was to be Colombia’s best part of the match until 13 minutes later when it scored with a push in on rebound and added the fourth with a big lob and the fifth with a six-metre strike at 24-5. Italy led 5-2 at the quarter, 12-2 at halftime, 18-4 at the final break and went on counter-attack to extend the lead to 30-5 before converting a penalty foul on the final buzzer for 31-5.

Match heroes
It’s almost too easy to say the best players were the scorers, but it was the multitude of assists with excellent cross passes and sometimes long, scything passes to the attacker racing for goal, who should be given the kudos. In the end, Silvia Avegno rattled in six goals from nine attempts; Sofia Giustini shot five from six; Chiara Tabani four from four and veteran Roberta Bianconi with identical figures. Valentina Restrepo claimed the rebound and six-metre goals for Colombia.

Turning points
Italy at 2-2 thundering down the pool for 14-2. It set the tempo of the match and showed the void that exists between European and South American nations.

Stats don’t lie
Italy was perfect with its five conversions of extra-man attack and Colombia managed just one from nine. Congratulations to goalkeepers Laura Teani (ITA)  with five saves and Colombian Sara Agudela with six.

Bottom line
Italy is one of the teams heading to the finals, having drawn with Canada in a shaky first match and then toppling Hungary 10-9 two nights before. Colombia will be wanting a win in the lower quarter of the draw before heading home.

What they said
Carlo Silipo (ITA) — Head Coach
“It was a good match for us to practise. I said to my girls, just play our game. Now I think that the United States, Spain, Hungary and Italy have the biggest chance to win the whole tournament.”
Domitilla Picozzi (ITA) — Three Goals
“It was important to continue the same line as in the previous match, and I think we did a good job. We played some games, but the hot ones just yet to come. I don’t want to predict, but there is Spain, Netherlands, USA and Hungary as well who have a chance to win in the end. And after all, it is an honour and great pleasure to play here.”
Bladimir Lopez (COL) — Head Coach
“It was a great pleasure for us to play against a strong team like Italy. Now we are going to travel to play against the other fourth-placed teams. We can bring good experience from these three matches and try to do our best.”
Juliana Atehortua (COL) — Goal Scorer
“It was a great experience for us; we tried to improve our game during the group stage. Italy is a very good team and compared to that we started very well; it will be memorable for us. We try to make the next step. I think we have potential to improve.”

 

HUNGARY 11 CANADA 7
A four-goal third period helped put paid to Canada’s hopes of ruining Hungary’s night. The four-goal swing stretched to five early in the final quarter and even a Canadian revival of three straight goals could not stem the tide. The floodwaters had broken and Hungary was swimming away to second place in the group behind Italy. It was 2-1 to Hungary at the first break, 5-4 at the long break and 9-4 heading into the last. Canada showed why it is capable and the resurgence in the  last five minutes gave hope with 2:32 remaining. However, Hungary used a timeout and Dora Leimeter converted the extra-man chance at 2:05 and the match was over.

Match heroes
Rita Keszthelyi stood up when most needed, nailing three of those four third-quarter goals. Even when she had a shot rejected, she took it again and blasted in, such is her confidence. She deservedly was named player of the match. Canada’s Hayley McKelvey was dominant at times, turning at centre forward to score in the second quarter and then hammering in the sixth and seventh goals, firstly on extra-man attack and then from the top with a missile. It gave Canada hope at 10-7 down.

Turning point
The third period, without a doubt. As the pool announcer said: “It is the money quarter.” This was where Hungary nailed its flag to the staff. A possible turn came from Canada in the fourth, but, alas, it was too late as the Hungarian train had left the station.

Stats don’t lie
Italy converted four from eight and Canada four from seven, so not much of a difference there. Alda Magyari made eight saves for Hungary and Jessica Gaudreault just three, showing the defence worked harder for Italy — a huge difference in the final result.

Bottom line
Hungary has an Olympic bronze medal. It wants to show that the one-goal loss to Italy on day two was a glitch that can easily be wiped from the memory. Canada will be left to pick up the pieces, but is capable of forcing its way further up the rankings in the coming week.

What they said
Attila Biro (HUN) —Head Coach
“We changed everything from the last game. We changed our six-on-six defence and man-down tactics. I think the Italian team is better than the Canadians, nevertheless this win is so precious for us, because our opponent was so awkward and so tough. We prepare for Argentina and then Australia.”
Krisztina Garda (HUN) — Athlete
“We changed a lot after the previous game, but I am happy to succeed and win. We had a great inner fire, because we had to prove for ourselves and our fans too. I hope, from now on, this will be the minimum level of our performance.”
David Paradelo (CAN) —Head Coach
“We went out of system for a couple of times, took some shots and we were punished on the counter-attack. You cannot give these to teams like Hungary. It is not hard to play in an atmosphere like now, it is great. If every water polo game were like this, we would play every day. Next time we just have to focus from the beginning to the end; that is the key. We lost focus in the third period against Hungary and the game was over there.”
Jessica Gaudreault  (CAN) — Goalkeeper
“I think we played the worst system in the third period, and the Hungarians capitalised on that. Honestly, we love to play in an atmosphere like this; last time we met each other in 2017 in Budapest, it was the same and we were so excited to face them again, cause we don’t get this in Canada. Next time we should stick to the game plan better; that is the improvement we need.”

Final Points: Italy 5, Hungary 4, Canada 3, Colombia 0.