Results – Lille (FRA)

Italy 10 – Spain 13
(2-3, 0-3, 3-2, 5-5)

In this game, which proved a nice debut for the Spanish team of coach Joan Jane - the teams were fairly even across three periods – the 1st, 3rd, and 4th - but in the second period Italy remained scoreless while Spain pocketed three. This advantage gained by the Spanish proved irreversible for the Italians. The highlight of the match was the high-scoring final period (5-5) as one team (ESP) fought to retain the win, and the other struggled to make up for earlier mistakes.

The scoring patterns of the game reveal that there are several main players on these teams contributing a considerable percentage of the points. On the Spanish side, Ona Flaque Meseguer scored once for every quarter, thus consistently helped her team hold the lead. Jennifer Paraja Lisalde netted three, two of which were in the opening period, and Cristina Aliaga Lopez also had a hat-trick, with two of her points generated in the ever-important final quarter. Italy had more independent scorers, but Federica Radicchi was the main influence on the tally, with four points.

Italy
Eleonora Gay, Francesca Pavan (1), Silvia Motta, Simona Abbate (2), Martina Savioli (1), Federica Radicchi (4), Valentina Ayale (1), Giulia Dal Fiume, Rosario Aiello, Federica Rocco (1), Fantasia Livia, Medea Verde, Laura Teani.

Spain
Laure Ester Ramos, Matilde Reyes Ortiz, Maria de los Angeles Diaz Lizaran, Iria Esteller Sotes, Miriam Lopez Escribano Jara, Jennifer Paraja Lisalde (3), Cristina Lopez Aliaga (3), Maria Pena Carrasco, Clara Aller Garcia, Ona Flaque Meseguer (4), Maria Odoy (2), Lorena Miranda Dorado, Anna Espar Laquet (1).

France 14 – South Africa 7
(6-1, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2)

This debut match of South Africa in the World League was positive one for the home team of France, which won 14-7, but the African team demonstrated its ability to take-on nations with perhaps more experience on the international stage. The first period (6-1) was a rocky one for the South Africans, and this poor start would make it impossible for them to recover. But the game proceeded to even out, particularly in the second half, although France was always clearly in control.

Louise Guillet (FRA) was in great form, scoring five times for her team (including doubles in the first and fourth quarters). She had the help of Vanessa Hernandez (FRA) and Clemence Clerc (FRA) who each had two goals. For South Africa, Tammy Heydenrych and Lee-Anne Keet both scored twice.

France
Celine Cherrier, Vanessa Popieul (1), Sophie Gaultier (1), Vanessa Hernandez (2), Louise Guillet (5), Lea Beauchiere (1), Eugenie Pirat (1), Clemence Clerc (2), Gwendaelle Acosta, Marie-Charlotte Grand (1), Perrine Metay, Celine Aclocque, Caroline Ruyer.

South Africa
Hayley Nicole Duncan, Jade Miles Liddell (1), Megan Schooling, Laura Marie Barrett (1), Tammy Heydenrych (2), Sarah Harris (1), Christine Barretto, Lee-Anne Keet (2), Nicollette Poulos, Naydene Smith, Mbali Mpofu.

Results - Athens (GRE)

Greece 15 – Germany 10
(4-3, 4-2, 4-2, 3-3)

In Athens, where action took place at the Alimos outdoor pool, Greece triumphed in their opening match against Germany with a score of 15-10 to secure a nice win at home. It was a clean victory for the Greek women, who controlled the match from the opening quarter and kept the score consistently in their favour except for in the final period, which ended with a 3-3 tie. The precise results by period were: 4-3, 4-2, 4-2, 3-3.

Greece (Coach: Georgios Morfesis):
Maria Tsouri, Crhistina Tsoukala (1), Ntina Kouteli (1), Hlektra Psouni, Kiki Liosi (Captain) (3), Alkistis Avramidou, Alexandra Asimaki (1), Antigoni Roumpesi, Aggeliki Gerolymou (3), Filio Manolioudaki, Stavroula Antonakou (4), Giouli Lara (2), Eleni Kouvdou.

Germany (Coach: Rene Reimann)
Hanna Hanholz, Sandra Scilling, Linda Gerritsen (1), Mareike Kreuzner, Katrin Dierolf (Captain) (1), Claudia Blomenkamp, Carolin Lentge, Claudia Kern (2), Theresa Klein (1), Nina Wengst (3), Carmen Gelse, Mandy Zollner (2), Bianca Ahrens

Russia 14 – Great Britain 7
(2-1, 3-2, 5-0, 4-4)

The second game of the evening between Russia and Great Britain, resulted in a final score of 14-7 in Russia’s favour. About 150 spectators were in attendance. Scoring for Russia was: Gaoufler (5), Vilegzanina (2), Prokofieva (2), Timofeeva (2), Ivasintsina (1), Tsebosova (1), and Kurtiatnikova (1). Scoring for Great Britain: Hawkins (3), McCann (1), Wilcox (1), Rutlidge (1), and Smith (1).