Spain defeats Italy to go first to the quarterfinals
Miki Oca's team achieved their full victory in Group B of the European Championship
MADRID, 7 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish women's water polo team reached the quarterfinals this Sunday as first in Group B of the European Championship in Eindhoven (Netherlands) by beating Italy (14-8).
Spain made it three out of three in its perfect start to the European Championship to achieve a priori a more affordable rival at the start of the matches. Miki Oca's men came to shine against an Italy with no options almost from 5-1 in the first set.
The Spanish team, in search of the gold that eludes it after three silver and four bronze, made its position clear among the candidates with a very serious match. As against France or yesterday against Israel, Oca's team marked the differences from the beginning.
Maica García, Elena Ruiz and Judith Forca reflected that gap between both teams on the scoreboard and, although Italy did not give up, Judith and Elena once again opened the gap (8-4).
Spain recovered its recital in the second half, with a 5-0 run that left the final minutes almost without history, 13-6 with less than three left. The Spanish team was able to dose its efforts and continue growing in its game in the face of crosses.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: SPAIN, 14 – ITALY, 8. (8-4, at halftime).
–EQUIPMENT.
SPAIN: Ester (p); Nogué, A. Ruiz (1), Espar (3), Bea Ortiz, Pérez Crespí, E. Ruiz (3), Peña, Piralkova, Forca (5), Camus, García (1) and Leitón (1).
ITALY: Banchelli (p); Tabani, Galardi, Avegno (1), Giustini (3), Bettini (1), Picozzi, Bianconi (2), Palmieri (1), Marletta, Cergol, Viacava.
–PARTIALS: 5-1, 3-3, 3-2, 3-2.
–REFEREE: Diana Dutilh (NED) and Maria Daskalopoulou (GRE).
–PABELLÓN: Pieter van den Hoogenband Swimming Stadium (Eindhoven).