Spain stay top of Pool A after Day 2 in Valencia

Match 3: Netherlands v France 6-0 

The Netherlands and France faced each other in the first game of day 2 here in Valencia. The Dutch put high pressure straight from the start of the game. In the 5^th minute, Van Marel converted the first penalty corner of the match to open the score for the Dutch team. In the next minute, France had a big chance but no one was standing on the second post to tip it in. On the second penalty corner of the match, it was two from two for the Netherlands and Van Marel who converted her second corner of the day within two minutes. Later in the first quarter, the French goalie made some important saves. Holland had more ball possession but France was growing in the game. Albers had beaten the goalie in the 23^rd minute but Lhopital saved on the line. Jansen added one for her team on the buzzer, once again from a penalty corner. The score at half time was 3-0 with two early goals from a corner from the Dutch team.

In the 32^nd minute, Jansen scored her second of the afternoon. A few minutes later, Albers scored a brilliant goal from the top of the D. One minute before the end of the third quarter, France earned their first penalty corner of the game but couldn’t convert it. In the fourth quarter, the Netherlands was dominating the game and creating a lot of chances. The French goalie had an outstanding game, denying the Dutch to increase their lead. But 5 minutes before the end of the game, Albers scored her second goal of the afternoon on a well-executed corner variation.

The final score was  6-0 for the Oranje.

Match 4: Spain v Russia 4-2 

Spain and Russia battled it out here in Valencia, the Russian’s going ahead in the 6th minute via captain BORDOLIMOVA. A fantastic deflection from Spain was matched by a deflected goal from Russia (again BORDOLIMOVA , to put them ahead again. Spain matched that with a close tap in from ZALDÚA to bring the game to a draw before half time.
An electric second half from the Spanish saw them adding another 2 goals to win the game 4-2 and add another 3 points to their tally, setting themselves up for a possible place in the semi-final if they can take all 3 points on offer from the French.

Upcoming games tomorrow, 15th July: