Day Five Morning Recap

We saw the Mixed quarterfinals and the end of power pools in Women’s this morning, so there’s plenty to talk about. Let’s get right into the thrilling action.

Mixed

The first two quarters to mention are USA against Italy and Austria against Canada. The Austrians had the disc to take a surprising break on the first point of the game but couldn’t convert. That was as close as Canada let them come for some time as they pulled away to a 7-0 lead. Austria put one on the board before half and then grabbed a second to make it 12-2, but the game was largely one-way traffic as Canada punched a ticket for the semis. The Americans didn’t have it quite so much their own way as Italy started off with a hold and a break, shocking the favourites. America pulled things together and went on a three-point run to make it 5-4, but the Italians weren’t fazed and hit back with a three-point run of their own. The USA seemed thrown and were making uncharacteristic errors. It didn’t last for long. A seven-point roll into and out of half put them 12-7 up, and after Italy pulled one back the USA steamed through to the end of the game to win 15-8.

Milad Chaintron lays out to try and block Iden Tan. Photo by Tom Kiddle.

The other two quarters were much closer. First off was Singapore against France. The French drew first blood with a break to make it 1-2, and the teams then set into a rhythm of trading. Seemingly every point featured dozens of passes with both teams were playing zone, so the pace of the game was slow throughout. France took a timed half 6-7, and received the pull coming out. Singapore broke twice to get their noses in front, Caleb Tan to Skye Fong for both scores with both points lasting more than five minutes.

Singapore broke again late but France pulled it back to send the game to a Universe Point. Singapore were able to keep their composure and produce a clean hold to win 12-11. France hit the turf in anguish while Singapore celebrated wildly.

In the next game slot Hungary played Colombia in the final quarter. The game was delayed thanks to the comeback 15-14 win by Mexico over Panama stretching 15 minutes over the time of the next game, so it was the last game going on before lunch. The teams traded breaks in the first half, two each, with Hungary on top. After a clean hold by Colombia took the score to 8-8, the teams began throwing absolutely everything they had at each other to try and get themselves in front and secure a final four spot.

Sam Grossberg celebrates a point for USA Mixed. Photo by Tom Kiddle.

Hungary took the first advantage, securing a break to go up 10-8 through a Ferenc Klément throw to Bence Molnár. Colombia hit back with a hold and two breaks of their own to edge ahead 10-11, Diego Mancilla and Yeferson Higuera involved in two scores each. Hungary secured a tough hold even after Colombia were able to take possession of the disc for the win and sent the game to a Universe Point. Colombia took the disc on the sideline after the Hungarian pull went out of bounds, and the Hungarian zone managed to produce an error in the backfield. Hungary took an immediate timeout, moved the disc around a few times and eventually Eszter Tóth found Kata Vígh for the win.

So the semifinals tomorrow will be Canada vs Singapore and USA vs Hungary.

Elsewhere, Latvia defeated the Netherlands 15-9, Poland dominated Switzerland 15-3 and China took a 15-1 win over Hong Kong, China. The closest game in the 9-16 bracket was between Panama and Mexico, where Panama took an 11-14 lead into the later stages but couldn’t hold on as Mexico came back to win a thriller.

Women’s

The top four teams faced each other in what was expected to be a pair of good games, but they exceeded even the highest expectations. Italy against Canada and France against the USA both started in a similar, surprising fashion as the European teams streaked ahead. Italy took half 8-3, while France went up 4-10. However, both North American teams are made of stern stuff. The USA scored six in a row to bring it to 10-10; Canada scored six in a row to go up 8-9. The Europeans fought back, with France taking a break to go up 10-12, but Italy’s hold to level it was followed by two more Canadian breaks to put them up 9-11. It looked like France would be the ones to score the upset while Italy fell away late on.

Chloe Hakimi unfurls a deep shot. Photo by Carl Mardell.

Italy had other ideas. They scored four in a row to go up 13-11 with ferocious pressure in the zone and clean, precise D line offence. On the field next door USA took the break back to bring the game to 12-12. 24 points in both games, both still extremely tight. Canada and France both held, and both games were 13-12 - France and Italy once again both leading.

From there, the games diverged again. Italy managed a hold to win the game 14-12 and celebrate a massive victory over a global superpower. The Americans held to force the game to a 13-13 Universe Point, where the fireworks started again. An American zone forced some mistakes from France, two drops on the attacking brick mark, and a huge block from Zoe Forget extended the point between the errors. In the end, though, the indominable Chloe Hakimi took over the point and secured a wild comeback win for the Americans. Fingers crossed this isn’t the last we see of this kind of match up in this excellent division.

Italy and Canada compete for a high disc. Photo by Carl Mardell.

It means the semis are games we have seen before. Italy play France, while USA play Canada. A European team is guaranteed to be in Saturday’s showcase game, but will they be able to secure the win against a North American opponent? Anyone who watched today’s game can’t wait to find out.

The rest of the bracket has also been set, with New Zealand defeating Germany 15-11 and Japan topping GB 15-11, meaning the Kiwis play the hosts in the 5-8 bracket while the Germans take on the Japanese. Australia beat Singapore so look on track for ninth.

Open

The big games are happening this afternoon, but we saw three games in the second slot this morning. Australia beat Ireland 15-3, Singapore beat China 15-4 and Germany defeated Colombia 15-9. Those results mean the winners are all looking good in the ninth-place pool, with New Zealand resting this morning but also at the top of the standings.

Link photo by Tom Kiddle.