Spain will face Hungary in Monday’s LEN Women’s U19 European Water Polo Championships final after both nations secured impressive semi-final wins.
The Spaniards, who won gold at the last edition in 2018, fell behind early on against reigning bronze medallists Greece, but then struck six times without response.
Captain Maria Palacio Linde was their greatest goal threat, scoring four times including one in the final quarter as they rounded off a 12-7 victory.
“Maybe the result makes it seem easy but it wasn’t an easy game,” Spanish head coach Ignasi Guiu told LEN TV.
“We made mistakes, but our defence and goalie did a very good job and we have players in attack who are dangerous.”
Water polo heavyweights Hungary, who’s senior teams won Olympic bronze medals in the women’s and men’s events at Tokyo 2020, took on the Netherlands in the first semi-final.
Dutch number 10 Feline Isolda Voordouw struck first with a penalty inside the opening two minutes, but there was nothing to separate the two teams at the end of the first quarter who were level at 2-2.
Hungary then found their form and scored four unanswered goals to head into the final quarter 6-2.
That became 8-2 before the Netherlands struck twice in the closing minutes to at least gain a little extra confidence head into the bronze medal match on Monday.
“First of all I have to say thank you to my team because they they absolutely deserved this,” head coach Márton Benczur told LEN TV.
“Our goalie was awesome, but every player showed their heart and their will. They were awesome and I’m very proud of them.”
“They is obviously still one step to go, but this is a great success for Hungarian water polo.”
LEN Women’s U19 European Water Polo Championships finals
The Netherlands vs Greece – 18:00 CET
Hungary vs Spain – 19:30 CET
