On the second day of the World Cup Division 2 in Malta, teams from the same draw pots faced off
However, most of the games were one-sided contests, but there were two thrillers, too.
The derby was a match between France and Canada, which are ranked 11th and 14th, respectively, in the World Aquatics Rankings.
During the first three quarters, the lead changed hands several times. Canada gained a 9:8 lead before the final period. Early in the fourth quarter, the North Americans increased their advantage to 10:8. For the first time, two goals separated the rivals. France leveled at 10:10, 11:11, and 12:12. Two and a half minutes before the end, Merrill scored the 13th goal for Canada, which was,as it turned out, the last one in the match. With a 13:12 victory, Canada climbed atop the table, because a victory against a high-placed team in the WA Rankings is very valuable in the point system that is used in Division 2. The Canadians earned 86, 6 points for this victory.
An encounter between Georgia and Brazil ended after a penalty shootout. The Georgians led for most of the match. Brazil went in front in the fourth quarter (11:10). The Europeans answered with two goals. The South Americans leveled at 12:12 with 15 seconds remaining, but lost in a shootout. Georgia recorded a 17:15 victory and kept chances of advancing to the knockout round.
Australia had to dig deep to beat China 16:12 (at halftime, the sides were tied at 6:6).
Montenegro continued its dominance with a 21:5 victory over Argentina. Since Argentina is currently ranked 17th in the World Aquatics Ranking (and 8th among the Division 2 participants), the Montenegrins were awarded 89.2 points for this match. This victory was the most valuable achievement in the TPI point system on Day 2.
Canada, Montenegro, Neutral Athletes (Russia), Romania, Australia, Portugal, and Turkiye achieved two wins each on the first two days. Germany is also unbeaten, but it has played only one game.
On Day 3, the last matches in the group phase will take place. The top 16 teams will advance to the eighth-finals.
Division 2, Day 2
Great Britain – Neutral Athletes 9:21 (0:3, 2:4, 4:8, 3:6)
Ukraine – Hong Kong 21:6 (6:3, 7:1, 8:2)
Georgia – Brazil 17:15 (4:3, 2:1, 2:3, 4:5, PSO 5:3)
China – Australia 12:16 (3:2, 3:4, 4:5, 2:5)
Portugal – Poland 26:7 (4:2, 6:1, 7:1, 9:3)
Romania – South Africa 28:5 (8:1, 9:2, 5:1, 6:1)
Slovenia – Slovakia 8:13 (2:2, 1:2, 2:5, 3:4)
Turkiye – Singapore 28:7 (7:1, 6:0, 8:4, 7:2)
Argentina – Montenegro 5:21 (2:4, 0:8, 2:5, 1:4)
Malta – Kazakhstan 19:7 (4:2, 4:2, 8:2, 3:1)
France – Canada 12:13 (3:2, 2:2, 3:5, 4:4)
Germany bye
- Canada 86,2 (average of TPI points won at the tournament)
- Montenegro 85,8
- Neutral Athletes 83,9
- Romania 83,3
- Australia 83,2
- Portugal 81,6
- Turkiye 81,4
- Germany 76,2
- Malta 67,5
- France 66,4
- China 65,1
- Argentina 62
- Ukraine 60,8
- Georgia 60,5
- Slovakia 60,2
- Kazakhstan 41,8
- Brazil 40
- Slovenia 39,5
- South Africa 37,6
- Singapore 35,8
- Hong Kong 34,6
- Great Britain 33,4
- Poland 31
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: total-waterpolo.com
