MADRID, 24 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish women’s water polo team beat Thailand (2-30) on the third and last day of the group stage of the World Championship, which is being held in Hungary, but could not finish in first place due to the Greece’s victory over France (15-4) by more than 10 goals.
Miki Oca’s team fulfilled the task of achieving a lopsided victory against the Thais and put pressure on the Greeks, but they did not miss the opportunity to beat France by a dozen goals, that was the difference marked before the start. The Helenas won by 11 in the last moments of the match.
Hours earlier, Spain was firm and did not hesitate at any time in the match against the weak Thais, who did not manage to open their scoring until midway through the third quarter.
The Spanish, aware that the draw against Greece on matchday two would mortgage their future, did not want to know anything about their rival and got down to work to increase their confidence. In the first quarter they already won 0-5 with the leading role of Anni Espar, author of two goals, and the first of Elena Ruiz.
Judith Forca went further and finished with seven goals, Spain’s top scorer, and Bea Ortiz was not far behind with six. Between them, two achieved almost 50% of the national goals, which were also signed by Cristina Nogue, Anni Espar (4), Nona Pérez (2), Irene González (4), Elena Ruiz (5) and Paula Leiton.
In this way, Spain finished second in group D with the same points as Greece, which -due to one goal- avoided playing the round of 16 and reached the quarterfinals directly. The Spanish, for their part, expect a rival in the first World Cup match with their sights set on the next round, where they would most likely face the United States.