MADRID, 22 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish women’s water polo team defeated France 9-16 this Saturday, with an outstanding performance by the buoys Maica García and Paula Leitón, and qualified for the quarterfinals of the World Championship being held in Fukuoka (Japan), meeting in that round with the Hungarian team.
In the swimming pool of Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall B, at the Okihama-machi headquarters, the players coached by Miki Oca put their eighth final against the French on track in the third period. With Judith Forca inspired in attack, especially occupying position ‘1’, Spain gave a stretch on the scoreboard with an accumulated partial of 2-5.
The distance had been even greater, but France kept their hopes up with a goal from Camelia Bouloukbachi, who benefited from her shot tripping off Nona Pérez, and a penalty converted by Juliette Dhalluin. When the score reflected 7-11 and Theodoros Lorantos’s pupils were going to press, a counterattack from Spain tempered the spirits.
In addition, a penalty scored by Elena Ruiz truncated any goal of a rival comeback (7-13). To top it off, a short stoppage by the referees, to consult the timer, slowed down the pace of the team coached by Lorantos. Meanwhile, Spain accelerated to seal the victory and to be summoned to fight next Monday (1:30 p.m.) against Hungary.