Wednesday, January 15, 2025 3:52 p.m
On Wednesday, the Hungarian women’s water polo team won 12-7 against the defending World Cup and World Championship champion, thoroughly rejuvenated American team, in the qualifiers of the World Cup in Alexandroupolis.
Women’s Water Polo World Cup, Qualifier, Group A, Round 2:
Hungary-United States 12-7 (2-1, 5-3, 1-1, 4-2)
Hungarian goalscorerk: Keszthelyi 4, Tiba 3, Hajdú 2, Dobi, Aubéli, Baksa 1-1
Like the Hungarians, the American team also began a major transformation after the Paris Olympics. Among the former Olympic gold medalists, national team captain Adam Krikorian called only goalkeeper Amanda Longan to the tournament, and besides her, only Jovana Sekulic and Tara Prentice were there in the French capital, where the team, which includes nine newcomers, finished fourth. Depending on this, it was by no means a surprise that the Americans lost easily, 16-11, to the Olympic champions Spain in the first round.
After 0-1 we took control of things
The first quarter of Wednesday’s meeting brought many mistakes on both sides, and the Hungarians gained an advantage, which they managed to increase in the second half. Although Rita Keszthelyi also missed three five-meter shots, they scored five goals in this episode. Neither team played well, but Sándor Cseh’s students were much more effective.
After the third quarter that brought only one goal each, the sides started the final act with an 8-5 Hungarian lead, in which team captain Keszthelyi scored his third and fourth goals, and by the last minutes there were no more excitement left.
The end was a fully deserved Hungarian victory, which could have been even bigger. Ours managed to improve, since the game did not really go well in the first match, against the hosts, the Greeks.
Later:
Spain-Greece 18.00
Source: molcsapat.hu
