Group B — Debrecen

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 23 ARGENTINA 3

The gap between these teams is immense. USA needed to win to grab the first place of the quartet, but let’s say, all of us knew who had the real chance to win the match. The Olympic champion started the game how it has to — 6-0 after eight minutes. Adam Krikorian’s women continued their form in the second quarter, too, reaching a demoralising 11-0 result by halftime. But, the enthusiastic Argentinians didn’t give up and arrived at the match. Just a few sparks, some nice shots and two perfect goals by the South Americans in the third period. One remained at the end, while USA didn’t stop until 23. The reigning champion made it into the top eight, but it’s not over for Argentina, either. They also have the chance to qualify to the quarter-final, after achieving the third place in Group B.

Match heroes
Amanda Longan had the opportunity and she took it. The USA goalkeeper saved with 77 per cent efficiency. Denise Mammolito, Bayley Weber and Stephanie Haralabilis were unstoppable in the field, each scoring four goals and the latter was named the player of the match. And let’s mention the three Argentinian scorers, too — Lucia Ruiz Castellani, Carla Comba and Anahi Bacigaculpo. Scoring a goal against USA must be a lifelong memory for them.

Turning point
Must be the first two quarters — 6-0 and 5-0 — 11 goal advantage after 16 minutes — too much.

Stats don’t lie
Longan’s effective work in the goal, saving the 77 per cent. Moreover, the 67 per cent extra-player efficiency is also notable.

Bottom line
The difference between the teams? USA is another level, but it was a pretty useful match for the opponent, too. Argentina can learn a lot from this match.

What they said:
Adam Krikorian (USA) – Head Coach
“It’s great to have these ladies here. I mean the Argentinians. It’s needed for us to play not just against the same
opponents all the time and it’s nice to play against another team from the Americas. Obviously, we are happy to win the group and go to the quarter-final automatically. Every game will be very difficult, but what I am the most excited about is to play in Margaret Island, with that atmosphere. There is no better place in the world for water polo.”
Facundo Policarpo (ARG) – Assistant Coach
“The goal of this match was keeping on gaining experience. We didn’t play well in the first quarter, but then we changed our minds. Of course, there is a huge gap between the two teams, but it always great to learn from the best team of the world. We got new impressions and even we didn’t win, it was a very useful match for us, to see live that model what we want to follow.”

NETHERLANDS 22 SOUTH AFRICA 1

 Just like the USA-Argentina encounter, the Netherlands-South Africa match seemed a smooth match. And it was. The Dutch team started the match confidently as it wanted to decide essential questions as fast as it could. The machine worked well — 5-1 after the first quarter. Ruby Versfeld scored first for South Africa, but perhaps no one would have thought, that this would be the only one goal achieved by the African team. But it happened. Netherlands was super concentrated and sharp, both front and back. It was 9-1 at halftime, then a 7-0 and a 6-0 period performed by the Dutch army. South Africa also had some opportunities to minimalise the difference, but at last they were done with their strength. Netherlands won 22-1, getting ready to play for the top eight. The tournament is not over for South Africa either, the placement matches are ahead in Szeged.

Match heroes
Lola Moolhuijzen and Simone van de Kraats were the top shooters for Netherlands, scoring five and four goals respectively. The Dutch goalies — Laura Aarts and Sarah Buis — had a nice day, too with Buis delivering a clean sheet!

Turning point
The entire match was obvious. The hardest was the third quarter for South Africa, letting in seven goals in eight minutes.

Stats don’t lie
The Netherlands exceeded South Africa in every stat. The Dutch shooting efficiency, the defence and the extra-player efficiency were emphatic.

Bottom line
The same situation, like the USA-Argentina pair. The teams are too far from each other, but it’s a happy fact, that teams like the South Africans show themselves in front of the world.

What they said
Evangelos Doudesis (NED) – Head Coach
“The difference between the teams is big, obviously. I had a conversation with the South African coach this morning and we discuss, what is our and what is their programme, daily routine, possibilities of the water polo. The circumstances are incomparable, and a maximum respect to the opponent, what they achieved the last two years is very positive and I do hope that they are continuing this way in the future.”
Delaine Mentoor (RSA) – Head Coach
“I don’t feel disappointment about the match, on the contrary, I am proud of my team. Although we got 22 goals, we saved a lot, we blocked a lot and we had some big chance to score more goals. Last time we met, Netherlands beat us 33-1, now its 22-1, it’s clear that since that we have developed pretty much. Still have a lot to learn but the girls are happy to be here and play in the world champs, just like me.”

Final Points: USA 6, Netherlands 4, Argentina 2, South Africa 0.