BRITAIN'S WOMEN RECORD WELL DESERVED DRAW
Britain's women's water polo team took on tournament favourites
France last night at the European B Championships and took
a well-earned draw in Prague.
The squad recorded an 11-11 tie with their rivals as they
strive to secure a top two finish in their group as they look
to continue their route to qualification for the European
Championships in 2008.
The French took an early lead, with the first quarter ending
2-0, and this dominance continued into the second quarter
with France winning 6-3.
At the halfway point, and 8-3 down, the British team re-grouped
and came out in the third quarter looking to reduce the deficit.
Taking the third quarter 4-1, the team went into the fourth
final quarter 9-7 down. The squad took their fighting attitude
in the final quarter looking to take something from the match.
The women put in a superb performance to end the final quarter
4-2 winners, sealing an 11-11 draw.
British Water Polo's women's Head Coach Szilveszter Fekete,
was impressed with the performance and the team's attitude
to fight back for the draw.
"I'm pleased we came back strongly against the French
who are favourites for the tournament and beat the Slovak
team easily in their first match," he said
"In the second half of the match, the team's fitness
was good and we scored a high percentage of extra-man attacks.
We showed good character to come back to draw the game, although
we had a chance to win with 20 seconds to go."
Britain are top of Group B after the result against the pre-tournament
favourites and will look to seal a top two finish when they
take on Slovakia this evening (Thursday) in the final match
of the group.
A draw against the Slovakians will be enough to see the women's
team progress onto the next round of qualification for the
European Championships 2008.
The LEN Women's European B Water Polo Championships take
place in Prague, Czech Republic, from 17 to 24 June. The British
squad comprises:
Tara Smith - City of Sheffield
Chloe Wilcox - City of Sheffield
Bernice Cowton - City of Sheffield
Fiona McCann - City of Liverpool
Daisy Fish - City of Manchester
Victoria Bowen - City of Sheffield
Lisa Gibson - City of Manchester
Rosalind Griffiths - City of Manchester
Hannah Wild - City of Liverpool
Angela Winstanley Smith - Sedgefield and Dist 75
Victoria Hawkins - City of Manchester
Larissa Davies - City of Sheffield
Rosemary Morris - City of Liverpool
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