Day 3 summary from the UANA World Championships Qualification Tournament

Brazil came out playing a strong game in both ends and was able to beat Venezuela 13-9 in a match of South American countries. Three goals from the perimeter was all that Brazil needed to open a lead that they never relinquished. The first quarter ended with a 3-1 lead for Brazil. Brazil scored in their first possession of the second quarter to further increase their lead. Venezuela matched them goal for goal, but with three minutes to go Brazil was able to score back to back goals in consecutive possessions to take a 7-3 lead at the half.

Once again Brazil was able to score on their first possession of the third quarter. Venezuela’s style of game was good enough to keep the game close but not to cut on Brazil’s commanding four goal lead. In the fourth quarter, every goal that Venezuela scored was matched by Brazil’s top gun Izabella Chiappini, who led all scorers of the game with 5 goals. Alexandra Carangelo (#2) for Venezuela led her team with 3 goals. For tomorrow’s semi-final round, Venezuela will play the first game of the afternoon session against Canada. Brazil will play Argentina in the second game. The winner of these games will automatically qualify for World Championship Games in Barcelona and for the gold medal, while the losers will play for the bronze medal.

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Canada was too strong, too quick and played a very methodical game against Argentina. The host team came out and scored at will in the first quarter. Argentina was able to tie the game at one, nut that was the last time they scored until the third quarter of play. Canada’s lead was 7-1 in the first quarter and 11-1 at halftime.

The third quarter saw Canada play tough defense and controlled attacks, scoring mostly from perimeter shooting and counter attacks.  The won that quarter 4-1 to increase their lead to 13 goals. The last quarter saw Canada turn on their afterburners and score at will with counter attack after counter attack. They finished with a flurry of goals, which was no match for Venezuela. Emma Wright (#6) and Carmen Eggens (#9) were the top scorers for Canada with 4 each, Dana Gerschcovsky (#11) for Venezuela was their leading scorer with 9 goals.

Venezuela will play the first game of the afternoon session against Canada. Brazil will play Argentina in the second game. The winner of these games will automatically qualify for World Championship Games in Barcelona and for the gold medal, while the losers will play for the bronze medal.

Game Summary

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In what turned out to be a preview of tomorrow’s semi-final game, Canada came on top playing a very strong game at both ends of the pool. Canada’s relentless attack and precise perimeter shooting was the key in getting a quick 3 goal lead in the first quarter. During the second quarter, Canada was able to clamp down on the defensive side and was able to pound the ball inside to create more outside shooting. Brazil wasn’t able to help on the outside since Canada was constantly looking to use the holeman as an offensive weapon.

Starting the third quarter with a commanding 6 goal lead, Canada stopped playing aggressively and made two consecutive mistakes, which Brazil converted into goals. Canada scored three consecutive goals in a 2 minute span, which took the wind knocked out of the Brazilian team. In the fourth quarter, Canada kept control of the game in both ends, matching Brazil goal for goal. Marcelo Franco (#5) led Brazil with 5 goals. Justin Boyd (#5) and Jared Mcelroy (#12) each scored 3 goals for Canada.

Canada will play against Brazil in the first game of the morning session, and USA will play against Argentina during the second game. The winner of these games will automatically qualify for World Championship Games in Barcelona and for the gold medal, while the losers will play for the bronze medal.

Game Summary

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In a preview of tomorrow’s semi-final game, USA took control from the onset of the game, beating a strong Argentina team by the score 13-3. The first quarter finished in favour of USA by a 2 goal margin, 3-1. During the second quarter, USA just played relents full court defense and opportunistic offensive attack, giving them a four goal lead at halftime 5-1.

The third quarter was an exact copy of the second one defensively for USA, adding a drop back strategy to minimize the attack from the post. Offensively USA counterattacked every shot from the opponent, giving them good look shots from the perimeter and hardly missing from the outside. Argentina seemed lost in the offensive side and couldn’t find a way to get an effective offensive scheme going. USA finished this quarter ahead by the score 9-2. During the last quarter, and with the game already decided, USA was happy to keep their defensive stand and constant counter attack as it had been during the whole game, not letting Argentina any easy shots nor rest on the defensive side.  

Canada will play against Brazil in the first game of the morning session, and USA will play against Argentina during the second game. The winner of these games will automatically qualify for World Championship Games in Barcelona and for the gold medal, while the losers will play for the bronze medal.

Game Summary

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