Germany, ranked number four, used their height and rebound excellence to assert full control against 19th ranked Japan, which was unable to make a contest of it, the match finishing 29-3.
Live stream video – Full match
Australia 25-3 Japan
Image gallery (by Marco Spelten)
Match Report (by Rob Smith)
Australia began their tournament with a match against Japan. After losing their opening match yesterday, Japan needed a strong start to retain their chance of proceeding to the upper echelons of the tournament. Unfortunately for them, they never found the spark and the experienced Australian team won comfortably, coach Isabel Teixeira having the luxury of rotating her whole squad, giving everyone some court time.
Live stream video – Full match
Germany 11-10 Australia
Image gallery (by Marco Spelten)
Match Report (by Rob Smith)
Ranked world number four, Germany appears difficult for anyone to beat at this tournament, while Australia, fresh off a comfortable win over Japan to open their WKC campaign, have set their sights on improving their world ranking of 14, and pushing for World Games qualification. Australia began with purpose, a defiant defence making life difficult for their opponent, who struggled to create good shooting opportunities. Australia held a slender lead at the end of the first quarter, though Germany fought back in the second. However, neither team could establish a clear advantage, with Australia resolute, Darian Huddleston scoring at key moments to keep his team alive. All was still to play for in the final quarter, with Germany holding only a two goal advantage: both teams finding it difficult to score. Germany goal machine Steffen Heppekausen, nursing a slight injury, was kept on the bench until the final few minutes before coming on to score a decisive goal. Missed penalties, including one in the final few minutes, and a missed running in shot, ended up costing Australia dear, Germany ending on top by 14-13.
