Kitaeva´s goals secured Russia´s victory over Denmark
Russia defeated Denmark with 9-2 Maria Kitaeva (pictured) scoring four goals.
The scoring chances were quite even between Russia and Denmark, but the Russians were able to score from almost every opportunity they got. They scored from controlled attacks, counter attacks, free hits and even short-handed and the numbers were 5-1 to Russia already after the first period.
The technically talented forward Maria Kitaeva scored three goals in a row in the second period and was elected as best player.
– I played my best match in the tournament so far and I´m happy with my performance. We played also a good match as a team. The Danish were not bad either, but we were able to utilize our chances better.
– My technical skills derive from hard training. My coach has motivated me and we train for over two hours six days a week with my club team Nizhny Novgorod.
Russia´s placement in the group depends upon the result of the match Finland – Poland. If Finland wins, Russia will play for the 5th place.
The seven best teams from the A-division are automatically qualified to the WFC 2011. Denmark will play for the 9th place against the 5th placed team in Group A tomorrow at 19:00 (USA or Norway).
Italy no match for Australia
Australia won their last group match against Italy with 7-0 and will play in the B-division semi-final.
Australia that already settled their B-division semi-final place yesterday won their last group match of the tournament against Italy quite easlity with 7-0 and will play against the winner of group D in tomorrow´s semi-final starting at 17:00 CET.
Joanne Allan scored a hat trick today and Narelle Roediger was awarded as Australia´s best player. Micaela Gambetta was awarded as the best player in the Italian team. Italy and Canada will play for the 19th place tomorrow at 10:00.
Germany winner of B-division group D
Germany could win the tight match against Hungary with two goals 3-1 and secured their 1st place in group D. Norway outplayed USA and is placed 4th in group A.
Germany needed to win the match against Hungary to make it to the semi-finals whereas Hungary was already sure to be in the semis but was playing for the group victory.
Both teams played a very disciplined defence and also both goalkeepers did some very good saves in the first period and the score remained 0-0.
Germany started the 2nd period strongly and were able to score two goals within two minutes. The goals were scored by Sonja Dietel and Nicole Kiss.
Anikó Vágó reduced the lead to one goal and Hungary had some very good opportunities to equalize but Nancy Gatzsch (pictured) in the German goal, made some great saves. Sandra Dirksen scored the last goal of the match and Germany won the group.
B-division semi-finals:
14:00 Singapore – Hungary
17:00 Germany – Australia
Norway – USA 16-3
Eleven goals were scored in the first period and ten of them were scored by Norway. USA had no possibility to challenge their opponent and Norway will play for the 5th or 7th place tomorrow depending on the result from the Sweden-Latvia match. The goal difference is +13 for Latvia compared to Norway before the last game.
USA will play against Denmark for the 9th place tomorrow at 19:00.
