Big win for Russia means first place in group A

A big win for Russia over 2012 European champions Italy on day 3 of the women's World League Europe prelims means they now lead group A. The Russian ladies, in Kirishi, used a good start and run in the 3rd period to edge the Tania di Mario less Italian side 11-8. The victory comes in time as now Russia is leading the group and despite in good position to get to the Super Final, stil has the away game vs. the Italians in the city of Avezzano on the final day 6 which could very well mean the group's final rankings could be decided in a head-to-head duel on April 21. In the other match Hungary did what was expected by beating a young France team 14-5. Meanwhile in group B the Netherlands marched on. In the Northern city of Drachten Germany was crushed 30-4 in a blowout victory. The big match-up behind the group leaders saw Greece, despite playing without injured Antigoni Roumpesi, upsetting Spain 10-7 so that the Netherlands-Greece match-up on day 4 (February 24) in Gouda could decide the group's outcome and Super Final representative. Veteran Alkisti Avramidou led all scorers with 3 for Greece in the big victory while Chrystina Tsoukala added 2. Anna Espar scored 2 for the reigning European and world champions who are now likely to have dropped out of the race for a Super Final berth.

FINA Women's World League 2014-2015
Europe preliminary round 3

Tuesday, 27-01:

Russia vs. Italy 11-8 (3-1, 4-5, 3-1, 1-1) - in Kirishi, Russia
Hungary vs. France 14-5 (3-2, 2-0, 4-2, 5-1) -  in Györ, Hungary
Greece vs. Spain 10-7 (1-0, 3-4, 3-1, 3-2) - in Athens, Greece
Netherlands vs. Germany 30-4 (8-1, 8-0, 7-2, 7-1) - in Drachten, Netherlands

The standings are now as follows:

Group A

1. Russia 3 - 8 pts
2. Italy 3 - 6
3. Hungary 3 - 4
4. France 3 - 0

Group B

1. The Netherlands 3 - 9 pts
2. Greece 3 - 6
3. Spain 3 - 3
4. Germany 3 - 0

Auckland (NZL) will stage the women's Intercontinental Tournament for Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania from April 28 to May 3, 2015 with the following teams:
GROUP A – China, Brazil, USA, Kazakhstan
GROUP B – New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Canada.

Pictured: Ekaterina Prokofyeva added 2 goals to the win for Russia.