Novi Sad 25.08.2017 / Latest edit: 29.Aug2017
Four matches were played on Friday to determine places 9 to 16 at the Women’s European Junior Water Polo Championship.
Romania defeated Portugal, 12:6, for the 15th place. Portuguese ladies took the lead in the middle of the first period, but Romania water polo players scored a pair in the last minute of that quarter making a comeback. They scored again at the beginning of the second quarter, but then the game was scoreless for a long time. Portugal cut the deficit in the last second of the first half and equalized after three minutes of play in the third period. Starting minutes of the last quarter saw an equal duel and a tie (5:5), after which Romanian squad managed to accomplish an emphatic win due to an impressive shooting streak. Briana Mihaila led the winning team with four goals, while Claudia Costa netted three for Portugal.
Portugal – Romania 6:12 (1:2, 1:1, 1:1, 3:8)
Turkey overpowered the Czech Republic, 13:5, and won the 13th spot. Turkish girls scored an opener with an extra player, doubled their lead a few minutes later and went ahead 3:0 in the last second of the first period. The halftime result was 5:1 and it was becoming apparent who would be the winner. They continued to preserve the advantage and increased it in the final eight minutes of the game. The top scorer was Dilara Burali with five goals, whereas Daniela Vomastkova netted a pair.
Czech Republic – Turkey 5:13 (0:3, 1:2, 2:3, 2:5)
In the most suspenseful clash of Day 6, Bulgaria held off France and finished 11th. It was not until two minutes before the end of the first quarter that Bulgaria took the lead lead (1: 0). The second period saw a lot more goals, and the teams were scoring one after another. Bulgaria was able to maintain the minimum advantage until the middle of the final quarter, but then France made a comeback and had a lead goal in two occasions. With 23 seconds left on the clock, Teodora Dimitrova scored for her team’s triumph. Melanie Hristova excelled netting three goals for the winning team, while France’s Laura Kjerulf scored one goal more.
Bulgaria – France 10:9 (1:0, 3:3, 2:2, 4:4)
Slovakia’s team ended up being 9th after the triumph over Israel, 11:6. Israel got off to a good start and was leading by a score of 2:0 after eight minutes of play. Its excellent performance continued in the second period, so it had a 4:1 lead in the middle of that quarter. Slovakia was gradually decreasing the deficit, equalized (4:4) one minute before the end of the third period and took over the lead right away. They managed to keep a one or two-goal advantage in the last quarter, and increased it in the final two minutes of the game. Miroslava Stankovianska is the most credited with winning as she scored four goals, while Semon Hila Futorian netted three for Israel.
Slovakia – Israel 11:6 (0:2, 2:2, 3:1, 6:1)
Day 6
For 15th/16th place: Portugal – Romania 6:12 (1:2, 1:1, 1:1, 3:8)
For 13th/14th place: Czech Republic – Turkey 5:13 (0:3, 1:2, 2:3, 2:5)
For 11th/12th place: Bulgaria – France 10:9 (1:0, 3:3, 2:2, 4:4)
For 9th/10th place: Slovakia – Israel 11:6 (0:2, 2:2, 3:1, 6:1)