The U.S. women have won five straight editions of the FINA Women’s World League and are into the semifinals of the Super Final after a 3-0 mark in group play and a 21-6 win over China in the quarterfinals.
Italy is the only other undefeated team, winning its three games in Group A and its quarterfinal over Canada.
Playing at the Duna Arena in Budapest (HUN), the U.S. defeated Hungary, 12-9; Canada, 15-4 and Russia, 12-7, in its three matches for a cumulative score of 39-20. In the quarterfinal, the U.S. piled up a 12-2 halftime lead and finished with a 21-6 win over China.
The Italians – 2016 Rio Olympic silver medalists – edged Australia, 11-9; squeaked by the Netherlands, 8-7 and cruised past China, 10-7. Italy defeated Canada, 14-10, in its quarter.
The final group rankings:
● Group A: 1. Italy 9 (3-0), 2. Netherlands 6 (2-1), 3. Australia 3 (1-2), China 0 (0-3).
● Group B: United States 9 (3-0), 3. Russia 5 (1-1 + overtime win), 3. Hungary 3 (1-2); 4. Canada 1 (0-2 + overtime loss).
Maddie Musselman led the U.S. in scoring with eight goals, followed by Maggie Steffens (5) and Rachel Fattal (4) and Stephania Haralabidis (4).
In the quarterfinals:
● Upper bracket: Russia 9, Australia 8; Italy 14, Canada 10
● Lower bracket: Netherlands 12, Hungary 10; United States 21, China 6
The semifinals will be played on Saturday and the medal matches on Sunday. The winner of the tournament gets a $50,000 team prize and qualifies for the Tokyo 2020 women’s water polo tournament.
Look for results here.
