With two spots still up for grabs, Russia and Hungary successfully continued their Super Final quest after the fifth round of the European preliminaries of the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League 2014, held on Tuesday March 18.
Unbeaten group leaders, reigning World champion Spain and Italy, already booked their ticket for the Super Final to be played in Kunshan (CHN) on June 10-15, 2014.
In Chelyabinsk, the home team ousted their British opponent 20-13. Second-seed Russia looks favourite to secure a berth in the Super Final with 6 points in the Group A rankings.
In Group B, the Magyars proved tremendous, upsetting current European champion Italy with a hard-fought 15-12 win in Budapest. The return match between Hungary and Greece in April, totalling 3 points each, will decide the last European qualifier for the Super Final.
Provisional rankings:
GROUP A: 1. ESP, 9 pts (3 wins); 2. RUS, 6 (2W, 2 losses); 3. GBR, 0 (3L)
GROUP B: 1. ITA, 9 pts (3W, 1L); 2. GRE, 3 (1W, 2L); 3. HUN, 3 (1W, 2L)
Sixth round on April 22, 2014:
Group A: GBR-ESP in Manchester (GBR)
Group B: HUN-GRE in Szekesfehervar (HUN)
The Intercontinental tournament, the Super Final qualifier for Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania, will be held from May 19-25 in Riverside (USA).
This release was provided to SwimSwam courtesy of FINA.
