Women's World League: Hungary, Italy, Russia and Spain grab Super Final ticket

Lausanne (SUI), AKUATIK INDONESIA – The teams of Hungary, Italy, Russia and Spain qualified for the 2013 FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final to be held in Beijing (CHN) from June 1-6.

In Group A, Spain’s strong defense was key in ousting 2011 World champion Greece with a score of 11-7 in front of the home crowd in Barcelona, during the last preliminary round of the European tournament held on March 16.

Hungary and Spain finished 1-2 of the Group A rankings, totalling three victories/one loss (9 points) and two victories/two losses (6 points), respectively.

In a thrilling game, the visiting Russians beat the Dutch squad in a tight 11-10 (Group B) in Dordrecht to clinch the last Super Final spot.

After collecting three victories and one loss (8 points), Italy takes a first-place finish in the Group B rankings, followed by Russia with 7 points.

European qualifiers (Hungary, Italy, Russia and Spain) will be joined by the two highest-ranked teams from the Asia/Oceania tournament, taking place from May 9-14 in Auckland (NZL), and Americas tournament, scheduled from May 24-27 in the USA (city to be confirmed).

Women’s final rankings:
GROUP A: 1. HUN, 9 pts (3 wins, 1 loss); 2. ESP, 6 (2W, 2L); 3. GRE, 3 (1W, 3L)
GROUP B: 1. ITA, 8 pts (3W); 2. RUS 7 (2W, 2L); 3. NED, 3 (1W, 3L)