Women’s QF: Italy ousts the mighty US

Since 2013, the US team never lost a quarter-final at majors – now Italy managed to halt that run by beating four-time champions thanks to some outstanding defending. They now face the Netherlands, while European champion Spain meets Australia.

Though the USA women’s water polo team, winner of the last four Worlds and three Olympics, seemed less invincible recently, it still looked a mission impossible to stop them in the quarter-final stage. For a single reason: they didn’t lose one in the past ten years. Spain was the last to beat them at this phase of a major tourney, back in 2013, on home soil. Italy, missing the cut for the 2021 Olympics, wasn’t considered a favourite here, especially not for the role of stopping the mighty Americans.

And they just did that. Against all odds, they managed to produce some astonishing defending and their goalie Caterina Banchelli – a rookie at the Worlds – offered a series of tremendous saves. Her percentage wasn’t that outstanding (7 on 14 shots), but almost all of those seven catches came in crucial moments and at least four of them were out-of-this-earth-type stops.

But beyond all, the belief, the firm and unbreakable faith in the possibility of winning this encounter was the main weapon of the Italians which, as the time was passing by, bewildered the Americans. This is quite uncharacteristic from this team as their winning mentality and ultimate self-confidence usually help them to survive the toughest tests – besides their brilliant playing skills and physical superiority. However, this time they were losing that mental and physical edge as the game never took the path they wanted or at least imagined. That at a certain stage they manage to break the Italians, build a massive lead and sail away with the win. Italy withstood the pressure and managed to force a tight and balanced match and by the third period all but one American player seemed to be very uncomfortable with taking the shots. Only Maggie Steffens did some damage, scored goals and earned penalties, but after a while the problems she created were handled by the masters of defending. As usual with such big teams, a day comes when the machine breaks down. When the players expect the other to deliver as they don’t feel the confidence and that leads to confusion, when not even the basic things work well.

The Americans missed a man-ups, a penalty, their shots lacked the usual precision, in attack they constantly took bad decisions. At the same time, Italy stuck to the game plan, played with the utmost discipline and their shotmaking was smart – their perfectly executed bouncers found Ashleigh Johnson’s weak point, while after 6-6 two magnificent lobs beat the classy goalie to complete the biggest upset since 2013. The US lost the semi-final last November in the World League (to Hungary) but this was their first knockout loss at the Worlds and the Olympics since 2013.

— LEN Water Polo (@LEN_waterpolo) July 24, 2023

Still, ousting the US is not even a job half done for Italy – next up is the Netherlands, which look quite strong again. The Dutch turned to be the only group-winner surviving the quarters, the other three (see below) all fell. The Dutch showed no mercy against Canada – hit four goals from their first four possessions, prompting the earliest-called time-out at the other end, after just 3:12 minutes. It didn’t help much, though, the Netherlands stormed to a 6-2 lead after eight minutes and led 11-5 at halftime, leaving no chance for the other North American team for a comeback.

Greece could have completed the European sweep of the SF berths, but they came up short against Australia. Midway through the match, the Greeks lost their composure and the Aussies – the underdogs in this pairing – took a 6-9 lead early in the third. The Greeks climbed back by netting two in 34 seconds for 8-9… and then it was over. At least the scoring. The remaining 12:41 minutes didn’t see a single goal although both sides have their chances.

Just like in Split, at the Europeans last September, Hungary faced off with Spain in the quarters. And just like in Split and in the previous 10 occasions, when Hungary and Spain clashed in the knockout stage at a major, the Spainiards dominated the match and won it. Since 2012, it was their 11 victory in as many encounters – so basically it was no surprise. Indeed, the European title-holders were dominating from the beginning and expanded the gap period by period. Deep into the third they even led by four at one stage, Hungary tried to come back desperately but never got closer than two. Judit Forca was the hero of the evening, the championship’s top scorer hit five great goals – she really made the difference in this match.

Post-game quotes

Caterina Banchelli, Italy

“It’s awesome and we’re so happy to beat the USA team, it’s a great thing and we made a great job of a good game and we’re so happy. Right now, I can’t believe it, but we made it, so we have right now to think about the next game and to the semi-finals and enjoy.”

Chiara Tabani, Italy

“I am so happy for us, this is a dream and I began this world championships with my team and I want to finish with my team. I have no words about this match.

“I know this is a big moment, a super moment with my team and coach and now we start the new world championships and I’m so excited. I’m ready with my team for the semi-finals.”

Brigitte Sleeking, Netherlands

“Of course, we’re really happy to reach the semi-finals, the QF is always a tough game but we came for the win. I think we are getting better and better every day so we’re doing really great and I’m proud of my team.

“We have a lot of confidence in the group, and we feel we can trust each other no matter what and that’s the great thing about our team.

“Really excited (about the semi-final), it’s against Italy so it’ll be a tough game and it’s of course a semi-final at the world championships so we will get prepared in the next day and then we’ll be ready to face them.”

Women’s quarter-finals

Italy v United States 8-7, Netherlands v Canada 17-10, Greece v Australia 8-9, Hungary v Spain 9-12

Wednesday fixtures

Semi-finals: Italy v Netherlands, Australia v Spain

For places 5-8th: Greece v Hungary, United States v Canada