Ranking

Ranking

Results & Schedule

After struggling to overcome Australia yesterday, Germany came out with plenty of purpose today in their encounter with India. Spreading play comfortably, making plenty of chances and preventing India establishing any fluency, Germany swiftly re-affirmed their status as a medal contender. India was seldom able to break free of the tight German press, while at the other end, Steffen Heppkausen’s return after missing most of yesterday’s match helped reinforce the advantage, while the hot hands of Lea Witthaus with a game high eight caused plenty of pain. For India, although the female players used their speed to take on the German defence, the pressure they were under reduced the quality of their opportunities, and they were unable to score regularly enough to be competitive. Final score: 35-10 to Germany.

After yesterday, so near yet so far against Germany, Australia had justification for confidence against England. However, unlike that excellent effort, Australia’s intensity in this match was lacking. Sticking to coach Rob Williams’s plan, England’s female players took the lead to the score more than 75 percent of their team’s goals, Rachel Turner most effective with five. Final score, 19-7 for England, and although they won comfortably, they are likely to need to find anther gear to compete with Germany tomorrow.

A new chapter in an old korfball rivalry between these two nations, both undefeated so far this week. For the first five minutes there was no score, though no shortage of shots, just zero accuracy. In the second quarter Germany found some rhythm and imposed their authority, reinforcing their number four world ranking, six places above their rival. England ran out of options, though even a loss here does not put them out of World Games contention: just makes the road more difficult. With this match out of reach, coach Rob Williams rotated his squad towards the end, aiming to conserve energy for the second half of the tournament. Final score: Germany by 15-8.

Australia established a lead early, and although India also scored steadily, they were less prolific. India’s tall men were strong in the rebound, to which Australia responded by operating more mobile attacks, particularly using the back of the court, where Daniel Phillips took plenty of advantage, smartly supported by his team mates. At the other end, although India threatened occasional danger, Australia defended with serious intent, sucessfully restricting their opponent. Superior fitness and game control also told in Australia’s favour at the end, when they cranked up the pressure to double their score in the fourth quarter, while India dropped away. Final score: 24-12, earning Australia the right to fight for the higher rankings, depriving India of that privilege.