Team USA Swamps Greece, 17-7

TIANJIN, China, Aug. 9. WITH a 10-goal conquest of Greece, 17-7, a confident U.S. Women’s National Team moved into first place in Group A at the FINA World Cup in Tianjin, China. Next, USA will take on host team China on Thursday and should the U.S. win, it will bypass the quarterfinal round to play in the semifinals on Saturday. At the FINA World League Semifinals last month, the U.S. team defeated China, 15-1.

“It was a solid game and we are starting to get our counter attacks organized,” Team USA head coach Guy Baker said. “It has been disorganized all summer.”

The 2006 FINA World Cup includes the top seven teams in the world, based on rankings from the 2005 World Championships, plus the host country’s team. This year, the U.S. team is ranked second after its silver medal finish at the 2005 World Championships in Montreal, Canada. After their win at the FINA World League Super Finals, the U.S women will look to add a World Cup Gold to their long list of medal finishes. The U.S. women have not won a World Cup since 1979. Hungary, who defeated Team USA in overtime for the World Championship title last summer, is the reigning World Cup Champion from 2002. The World Cup takes place once every four years on the second year of the Olympic cycle.

Current Standings:
GROUP A: GROUP B:
USA – 4 points AUS – 4 points
RUS – 2 points HUN – 2 points
GRE – 2 points ITA – 2 points
CHN – 0 points CAN – 0 points

DAY 2: USA vs. Greece, 17-7
BOX SCORES:
USA – 4 6 2 5 – 17
GRE – 3 1 1 2 – 7

SCORERS:
USA – Petri 1, Lorenz 2, Villa 1, Wenger 2, Golda 2, Cardenas 1, Figge 3, Van Norman 3, Craig 2
GRE – Kozompoli 1, Asimaki 2, Avramidou 2, Gerolymou 2

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use