Summary, Day 13 (Women’s Medal Round) Spain win historic European gold The Spanish women are the new queens of the continent: they won the European title for the first time in history. Spain came to Budapest as the reigning world champions and they proved: currently they had the best team. In the final the Netherlands couldn’t cope with the Spaniards’ mental and tactical strength, Spain won 10-5. The bronze medal match offered more excitement as the host Hungarians beat Italy 10-9. Spain reached their third straight major final in the three years. After playing in the Olympic final in London 2012 (lost to the US 5-8) and in the World Championships final in Barcelona 2013 (won against Australia 8-6) this time they played for the European crown. It was their second final in history, in the first they lost to Russia in 2008 (at home, in Malaga), and that silver medal is the only one they had at the Europeans before this tournament. The four-time winners Dutch returned to the ‘big game’ after 1999 (their last gold dates back to 1993). The first quarter was like a showdown in the old Wild West, just shooting, shooting – and hitting the target from time to time. They stood 3-3 after eight minutes, few would have guessed that the remaining 24 minutes would see only 9 goals and the Dutch would score only twice. The second period brought a handful of wasted chances, five extras were missed in a row (three for Spain, two for the Dutch) but at the beginning and at the end of that quarter Anna Espar netted two fine goals for 5-3. The Dutch struggled in front, 13:43 minutes went down on the clock between Catharina van der Sloot’s two goals (the first was hit for 3-3 in the first, the second came in the third for 5-4). The Spanish also missed the chances early in the third but later they scored twice in a span of 38 seconds for 7-4. A fine centre shot brought some hope back for the Dutch before the final period but Tarrago’s double ended the contest deep into the fourth (9-5). The last one was scored by Maria Garcia, it was a fitting end as she was elected the MVP of the tournament. With this 10-5 win the Spanish added the European title to their world crown, their club, Sabadell own the women’s Euro League trophy so they are right in the middle of a truly golden chapter of their history. Just as a day earlier, Hungary and Italy staged a thrilling and memorable match, after the men’s semis the women’s bronze medal game produced sheer excitement – and again, the Hungarians were happier at the end. Italy got the better start, led 0-2 and were still 2-3 up after eight minutes. The Magyars lifted their level of play in the second, produced their finest spell of the past days and after 4-4 they scored three connecting goals in 77 seconds for 7-4 (altogether they netted 5 in this period). However, the Italians weren’t done, pulled one back before the break and with hard work they equalised in the third for 7-7, while the hosts’ level of play dropped dramatically. The final seconds recalled the Italian nightmares of the semis, though, another bad return of the excluded player (earlier than it was allowed) resulted in a penalty again, but Gorlero denied Rita Keszthelyi’s shot. It was clear that whoever scored first in the last period they would gain huge psychological advantage. After respective misses in man-ups at both ends, Dora Kisteleki broke the deadlock from a dying 6 on 5 and after a huge save from Edina Gangl in a man-down the Hungarians converted another extra for 9-7. Italy’s playmaker Tania di Mario scored the goal of the day, a fine lob without looking at the goal for 9-8. Barbara Bujka earned a penalty and sent the ball home, Arianna Garibotti scored form a man-up 82 seconds from time for 10-9. Still, the last attacks didn’t bring any result at either end and 5,000 fans started to celebrate the Hungarian girls’ medal winning performance. Hungary finished third for the 4th time in the last five editions (2006, 2008, 2012 and now), while Italy, winners in Eindhoven 2012, had to settle for the 4th place for the third time in 4 Europeans (2008, 2010 and now). Results, Day 13 Women’s final Spain vs. Netherlands 10-5 Bronze medal game Hungary vs. Italy 10-9 Final rankings (women) 1. Spain, 2. Netherlands, 3. Hungary, 4. Italy, 5. Russia, 6. Greece, 7. France, 8. Great Britain Most Valuable Player Maria Garcia (ESP) Best Goalkeeper Giulia Gorlero (ITA) Best Scorer Rita Keszthelyi (HUN) 19 goals
Posted on: Sat, 26 Jul 2014 18:15:58 +0000