FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Finishes Prelim Tournaments

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 11. THE first preliminary tournaments of the 2009 FINA Women's Water Polo World League took place from May 8-10 in Lille (FRA) and Athens (GRE), resulting in victory for Spain at the French meeting, while the team of Greece was triumphant at home. Spain was clearly the strongest in Lille, while Italy had surprising difficulties defeating France. The less-experience South Africa was out-classed but made a positive impression. Russia showed promise and performed well in Athens (losing only once), but Germany struggled, and Great Britain failed to take a win at all. The Final Ranking from both competitions is as follows:

In Lille (FRA): In Athens (GRE):
1. Spain 1. Greece
2. Italy 2. Russia
3. France 3. Germany
4. South Africa 4. Great Britain

Here are full results from the weekend:

Lille (FRA): Athens (GRE):
Day 1 (May 8) Day 1 (May 8)
Italy 10 – Spain 13 (2-3, 0-3, 3-2, 5-5) Greece 15 – Germany 10 (4-3, 4-2, 4-2, 3-3)
France 14 – South Africa 7 (6-1, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2) Russia 14 – Gr. Britain 7 (2-1, 3-2, 5-0, 4-4)
Day 2 (May 9) Day 2 (May 9)
Spain 17 – South Africa 7 (3-2, 3-2, 7-0, 4-3) Russia 14 – Germany 10 (3-2, 4-3, 1-2, 6-3)
France 11 – Italy 12 (5-4, 4-3, 2-4, 0-1) Greece 15 – Gr. Britain 2 (2-1, 4-0, 4-1, 5-0)
Day 3 (May 10) Day 3 (May 10)
Italy 18 – South Africa 5 (4-0, 7-2, 3-2, 4-1) Germany 13 – Gr. Britain 7 (1-1, 2-3, 4-1,6-2)
France 10 – Spain 14 (0-4, 3-2, 5-6, 2-2) Greece 10 – Russia 8 (3-3, 2-1, 2-1, 3-3)

The second European Women's World League preliminary tournament will take place the weekend of May 22-24 in Germany (Bochum) and Spain (Madrid). The first Asia-Oceania preliminary tournament will also take place that weekend in Adelaide (AUS).

NOTE: FINA Men's Water Polo World League 2009 Preliminaries
The last Round 5 game of the Men's World League preliminaries in Europe took place on May 8 and ended with a loss for Spain, which will nevertheless remain in second place in the Group 3 ranking (behind Croatia, which has qualified for the Super Final). The final score was: Russia 5 – Spain 4 (1-1, 1-0, 0-1, 3-2). The sixth and final European round (4 games) take place on May 12.

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