Day Four Morning Recap
WJUC reaches the midway stage, with the Mixed division finishing power pools, Women’s power pools continuing, while the Open pools build up towards a thrilling climax this afternoon.
Mixed
Power Pool E had multiple finishing orders available, with every team still capable of snatching a quarter-final bye, leading to understandably tight games. Singapore ensured they finished at the top with a 13-11 victory over an Austria side that pushed them all the way. The Europeans had the lead early in the second half at 9-8, but Singapore showed their mettle to claw their way back in front in the closing stages. Colombia pushed hard to earn an 8-5 halftime advantage against Italy, and the Italians were never able to come closer than two points in arrears as the Colombians secured a 14-11 win in a fixture that ended over twenty minutes after the time cap, such was the intensity.
Emily Zhang of Canada stretches to secure possession in their matchup against the USA. Photo by Carl Mardell.
USA and Canada had both already sealed their byes, but they still played out a classic encounter to see who topped the pool, with the Americans surging ahead late on for a 15-13 victory. Poland finished their power pool play with a strong 15-9 victory against the Netherlands, with both sides looking to build momentum going into pre-quarters.
In the lower pools, China had already secured the top spot in Pool G but produced a professional performance in winning 15-8 over a Latvia side that continues to improve. Switzerland faced off against Mexico in a winner-takes-all matchup, with Mexico utilising a very profitable long game offensively to emerge as 15-7 victors against the reigning European champions.
Mexico’s Kasandra Lebrack Alatorre climbs highest against Switzerland. Photo by Carl Mardell.
France and Hungary matched up to see who topped Pool H, and France look like a real threat in the next round on the back of a 15-7 triumph to make it three wins on the spin. Panama notched their first victory of the week in defeating Hong Kong, China 14-6 to book their pre-quarters spot.
The pre-quarterfinal matches kick off the afternoon, with Austria vs. Mexico, Netherlands vs. France, Poland vs. Hungary, and Italy vs. China.
Women’s
The lower pool took the field in the opening round of the day. Singapore earned themselves a 7-5 lead over Germany, only for the Germans to storm back and score 10 of the final 11 points as they ran out 15-8 victors. Australia recorded their first win of the campaign as they triumphed over Ireland 15-4, with the Irish continuing to show development as the week continues.
Singapore and Germany battle it out for a floaty throw. Photo by Likkan Chung.
In the top power pool, France and USA both showed their class with strong wins over quality opposition in Great Britain and Canada, 15-2 and 15-4 respectively. Italy and Japan took centre stage on the showcase field with both sides jostling for a semi-final spot. Japan started brightly, building a 4-2 lead against an Italian outfit showing signs of fatigue after an exhausting game against the USA yesterday, but Italy grew into the game and came out of the other side with a gritty 10-7 win.
Khoi Brooks shows off her hops securing a high disc versus the USA. Photo by Carl Mardell.
Open
USA continued their quest for gold with a 15-1 victory against a Colombia side who could have had half an eye on their afternoon game. Switzerland defeated Singapore 15-11 to wrap up their pool games, while Great Britain used the energy provided by the home support to overcome Australia 15-13. USA take on France this afternoon to decide who tops the group, while Switzerland will be paying very close attention to Great Britain vs. Colombia, with all three teams in with a chance of progressing. Singapore face Australia with both sides searching for a first win of the week.
Ryuto Tsukada flies for a block in Japan’s universe point victory over Germany. Photo by Tom Kiddle.
Pool B saw big wins for Belgium, who bested Ireland 15-3, and Canada, who triumphed 15-5 against China. The other two games were much closer, as New Zealand produced another big performance only to come out on the losing side against Italy, who won 15-13 in an absolute stormer. Germany and Japan locked horns with the winner putting themselves in the driving seat to advance to quarter-finals, and in a back-and-forth thriller Japan broke to win 13-12, their second Universe Point success this tournament. Canada and Italy finally face off this afternoon, with the winner staying undefeated to win the pool. Japan, Germany, Belgium, and New Zealand will slug it out to find out who secures the two remaining spots, with Japan playing Belgium and Germany facing off against New Zealand. Ireland face China in the remaining game, and each will be looking to turn progress into results to build confidence going into the consolation bracket.
Canada and China are all smiles in their post-game spirit circle. Photo by Likkan Chung.
Link photo by Graham Shellswell.