Game preview Women, Round 5, 22.00 Group B: Spain v Russia – In head-to-head at the European Championships Russia leads 6-2. The two • powerhouses met in three quarter-finals and one gold medal match (in Malaga 2008) – for the first time the Spanish could beat their rivals in a knock-out match two years ago in Belgrade. Here are their games at the Europeans so far: 1997: 1-8, 1999: 7-16, 2001: 5-11 (QF), • 2003: 10-12 (QF), 2008: 10-9, 8-9 (Final), 2014: 9-10, 2016: 12-8 (QF). This season they faced each other in the LEN Europa Cup preliminaries (Spain won • then in the semi-finals (Russia won 9-8). In the World League qualifiers Spain beat the Russians both at home (9-8) and away (7-9), then they met in the quarter-finals in the Super Final, it ended 8-8 and Russia won with penalties (3-4). Russia at least a 3-goal win to clinch the top spot in the group in a three-way tie • involving Hungary. Provided Russia can beat Spain, the results obtained against each other would determine the final ranks. In that mini-tournament Hungary cannot come first as they lost to Spain by 4 goals and beat Russia by 1 so their goal-difference stands at A three-goal win would push Russia to +2 and Spain back to +1. A win by 1 or 2 –3. goals would leave Russia on the second place, any other results would drop them third (provided Hungary beats Germany which is very likely). Group-winner would most likely face France in the quarter-final, 2nd or 3rd rank • sides will meet Greece, Netherlands or Italy in the best eight. Spain won all four matches: beat Hungary 13-9, Germany 27-2, Serbia 26-2, Turkey • 32-2. Russia opened its campaign with three big wins over Turkey 35-4, Germany 27-2 and • Serbia 27-5 but then lost to Hungary 7-8. Spain is ranked No. 1 in scoring with 98 goals, just as in efficiency: 98 goals/141 shots • for 69.5%.
Game preview Women, Round 5, 22.00 – Group B: Spain v Russia • In head-to-head at the European Championships Russia leads 6-2. The two powerhouses met in three quarter-finals and one gold medal match (in Malaga 2008) – for the first time the Spanish could beat their rivals in a knock-out match two years ago in Belgrade. • Here are their games at the Europeans so far: 1997: 1-8, 1999: 7-16, 2001: 5-11 (QF), 2003: 10-12 (QF), 2008: 10-9, 8-9 (Final), 2014: 9-10, 2016: 12-8 (QF). • This season they faced each other in the LEN Europa Cup preliminaries (Spain won then in the semi-finals (Russia won 9-8). In the World League qualifiers Spain beat the Russians both at home (9-8) and away (7-9), then they met in the quarter-finals in the Super Final, it ended 8-8 and Russia won with penalties (3-4). • Russia at least a 3-goal win to clinch the top spot in the group in a three-way tie involving Hungary. Provided Russia can beat Spain, the results obtained against each other would determine the final ranks. In that mini-tournament Hungary cannot come first as they lost to Spain by 4 goals and beat Russia by 1 so their goal-difference stands at –3. A three-goal win would push Russia to +2 and Spain back to +1. A win by 1 or 2 goals would leave Russia on the second place, any other results would drop them third (provided Hungary beats Germany which is very likely). • Group-winner would most likely face France in the quarter-final, 2nd or 3rd rank sides will meet Greece, Netherlands or Italy in the best eight. • Spain won all four matches: beat Hungary 13-9, Germany 27-2, Serbia 26-2, Turkey 32-2. • Russia opened its campaign with three big wins over Turkey 35-4, Germany 27-2 and Serbia 27-5 but then lost to Hungary 7-8. • Spain is ranked No. 1 in scoring with 98 goals, just as in efficiency: 98 goals/141 shots for 69.5%.