World Age Group Championship : Let’s go to the final !

Lire en français

Now that the final four have been decided, it’s clear who’s in the final of the various categories at the World Age Group World Championship.

U19M
France vs. Turkey (3-0)
The match began with great defensive discipline from the Turks, who managed to contain the French attacks. Both teams showed great intensity, but Les Bleus gradually took control of the game thanks to their physical freshness and their ability to maintain constant pressure on their opponents. At the end of the first half, France opened the scoring thanks to a well-executed team move. The French striker took advantage of a pinpoint pass to beat the Turkish and give his team the lead. In the second half, France stepped up their domination. Les Bleus show their attacking talent with fast, effective combinations. Despite their discipline, the Turks began to suffer physically from the intensity of the French game. France quickly doubled their advantage with a second goal, which left the Turkish defense helpless. A few minutes later, a third goal sealed the fate of the match.

France:
The French were able to impose their game thanks to their excellent physical condition and well-honed tactical organization. Their ability to get forward quickly and use the full width of the pitch was decisive.
Turkey
The Turks started the match with remarkable defensive discipline, managing to contain the French attacks for much of the first half.

Conclusion:
With this 3-0 victory, France confirm their status as favourites and qualify for the final. Les Bleus have demonstrated their ability to control the game and prevail against tough opponents. Their impressive record so far augurs well for an exciting final.

New Zealand vs. Australia (4-0)

From the first second, New Zealand imposed their rhythm and control of the game. The Blacks, invisible in their tactical approach, quickly took the lead over their opponents thanks to solid defensive organization and incisive attack. New Zealand soon found their first opening. With a quick combination and surgical precision, they scored the first goal of the match. The Australians tried to react, but came up against an impervious New Zealand defense. Before the end of the first half, the Kiwis doubled their advantage, taking advantage of another well-exploited opportunity. This second goal put Australia under pressure and allowed New Zealand to go into half-time with a comfortable advantage. The second half began at the same tempo. New Zealand continued to dominate proceedings, displaying a technical and tactical mastery that left Australia little room to hope for a comeback. New Zealand scored a third goal, consolidating their lead and virtually sealing the outcome of the match. They continue to control the game, giving their opponents no chance to develop their strategy. The fourth goal crowned a faultless performance, ensuring victory for the Kiwis. With a score of 4-0, New Zealand demonstrate their undeniable superiority over Australia. Their fluid play and ability to exploit every weakness were key to this victory.

Match analysis

New Zealand: The Kiwis impressed with their technical mastery and tactical organization.
Their ability to maintain constant pressure and exploit opportunities made all the difference.
Australia:
Australia showed determination, but were unable to contain New Zealand’s attacking power. The Australians suffered in the face of the speed and precision of New Zealand’s attacks, unable to find solutions to reverse the trend.

Conclusion:
New Zealand qualify for the final after a resounding victory over Australia. With a high-flying performance, the Kiwis arrive at the final with their confidence boosted, ready to take on France. The match promises to be an exciting duel between two teams with distinct but equally effective styles of play.
The final will see New Zealand take on France, two teams who have dominated their opponents throughout the tournament. The Kiwis will be looking to keep up their momentum, while Les Bleus will be hoping to achieve something special against the best team of the tournament.

U19W
Australia vs. Colombia (3-1)
From the very first minutes, the Australians imposed their rhythm and dominance on the pitch. Meg Barling opened the scoring for Australia, once again showing her talent for standing out at crucial moments. Shortly afterwards, Kya Digney consolidated her team’s lead with a second goal, putting the Australians in a comfortable position. Colombia, not wanting to give in easily, stepped up their efforts to get back on level terms. They exerted constant pressure on the Australian defense, but struggled to capitalize on their chances. Despite a few promising attempts, Australia’s defensive wall remained impregnable. Midway through the second half, Australia extended their lead with a third goal. At the very end of the match, Colombia managed to close the gap with a goal. However, time was on the side of the Australians, who managed their lead until the final buzzer.

Match analysis:

Australia:
The Australian team was once again impressive, showing great mastery in both attack and defense. Their ability to score quickly and keep up the pressure was decisive in securing victory.
Colombia:
Despite the defeat, Colombia showed character and determination, particularly in the second half when they tried to come back into the game, but fouls would see them through.

Conclusion:
With this 3-1 victory, Australia validate their ticket to the final of the women’s U19 tournament. Their performance proved that they are ready to fight for the title, relying on a solid collective.
Colombia, despite their defeat, can be proud of their progress and their performance in this semi-final. Their path in the tournament is not yet over, and they will have the opportunity to fight for third place.

France vs. New Zealand (3-2)
Right from the start, New Zealand showed why they were unbeaten up to that point. With a fast, efficient attack, they opened the scoring thanks to a fine collective move that left the French defense unresponsive. At half-time, the score was 1-0 in favor of the Kiwis, suggesting another potential victory. After the break, France showed a completely different face. Invigorated and determined, the French stepped up their game, putting pressure on their opponents. Madeleine Gouzou equalised, reviving France’s hopes. The French strategy began to work, creating doubt among the New Zealanders. The Oceanian machine, so well prepared until then, began to show signs of weakness. Mila Fauqueux took advantage of this moment to score the 2-1 goal, putting France in a favorable position. Continuing their momentum, the French extended their lead with a third goal from Lola Simon. With the score at 3-1, France seemed to have taken total control of the match, surprising New Zealand with their intensity and tactics. New Zealand managed to close the gap with a second goal, bringing the score to 3-2. However, despite their efforts to equalize, time was against them. The well-organized French defense was able to resist the last attacks, holding on to the lead until the end of the match.

Match Analysis:
France:
France showed resilience and excellent tactical adaptation. After a difficult first half, the French were able to regain control thanks to a well-thought-out strategy and remarkable intensity of play.
New Zealand:
The New Zealanders showed their attacking talent by opening the scoring quickly and exerting constant pressure. Their ability to score late in the game was a testament to their tenacity. However, their inability to maintain their lead and adapt to France’s tactical adjustments cost them dearly.

Conclusion:
The second semi-final of the women’s U19 competition provided a real spectacle, with an epic confrontation between France and New Zealand. Undefeated up to that point, the New Zealanders, considered the favorites, lost to a determined and resourceful French team. France pulled off a real feat, eliminating tournament favourites New Zealand and qualifying for the final.
The final will now pit Australia against France. Having each won their semi-final, these two teams will now battle it out for the ultimate title. It promises to be an intense encounter, with two different styles of play vying for the crown.

U24M
New Zealand vs. France (2-0)
The match got off to a special start, with New Zealand looking to impose their fast, flowing game. However, France deploys a heroic defense using a wall-based strategy, limiting the New Zealanders’ access to the center of the field. The French executed their game plan brilliantly, effectively slowing down the Blacks’ attacks and preventing them from setting up their famous fast game. Thanks to this discipline, Les Bleus succeeded in containing their opponents’ onslaughts and ended the first half with a goalless draw.At the start of the second half, New Zealand finally found the breakthrough. A momentary lapse of concentration in the French defense allowed the New Zealanders to open the scoring. The goal changed the dynamic of the match, forcing France to adjust their strategy. Despite this blow, Les Bleus did not give up.They twice came close to equalising, demonstrating their ability to create dangerous chances and put pressure on the Kiwis. As France pushed for a comeback, New Zealand took advantage of the space left open by the French offensive to score a second goal with just two minutes remaining. This goal definitively seals the outcome of the match.

Match Analysis:

New Zealand: The Kiwis showed why they are considered one of the best teams in the competition. Their ability to adapt against a tough French team was crucial in securing victory.
France:
Les Bleus impressed with their resilience and defensive strategy. Their ability to exploit the walls disrupted the New Zealand game, forcing them to adjust their approach. A few moments of inattention cost them the chance to score the crucial equalizer.

Conclusion:
New Zealand qualify for the final after a hard-fought victory over a French team that caused them plenty of problems.The Kiwis continue their faultless run and now prepare to challenge for the world title.

Australia vs. Great Britain (4-1)
The match got off to an intense start, with both teams fighting for every inch of the pitch. The British, buoyed by their achievement in the previous match, held off the Australians in the opening minutes. At the end of the first half, Australia took the lead with a well-placed goal, taking advantage of a gap in the British defense. This first goal put the pressure on Great Britain, who now had to react. After the restart, Australia struck again, scoring a second goal within the first minute of the second half.

This rapid advance put the British in a tricky position, forcing them to play more aggressively. Determined to get back into the game, Great Britain stepped up their attacks. However, accumulated fatigue began to show, and mistakes began to pile up. The British made one mistake after another, conceding four penalty minutes, which benefited the Australians. Taking advantage of the numerical advantage, Australia scored a third goal, further extending their lead.
Despite a surge of pride that allowed the British to reduce the gap by one goal, the score was still in Australia’s favor. At the very end of the match, the Australians sealed their victory with a fourth goal, confirming their place in the final. The British, despite a courageous performance, can only acknowledge the superiority of their opponents.

Match Analysis:

Australia:
The Aussies demonstrated a formidable efficiency in the key moments of the match, taking advantage of their opponents’ mistakes and their superior physical condition.
Their ability to maintain constant pressure was decisive, enabling them to capitalize on the penalties inflicted on their opponents.
Great Britain:
The British showed great fighting spirit, especially after their exploit against South Africa.Their determination to come back from behind was palpable throughout the match.Accumulated fatigue was a decisive factor, preventing them from playing to their full potential.Penalties conceded also played a crucial role in their defeat.

Conclusion:
With this victory, Australia qualify for the Men’s U24 final, where they will face New Zealand.This will be a duel between two of underwater hockey’s great powers, promising a spectacular and hard-fought match. Despite their defeat, Great Britain came out on top, having shown admirable determination throughout the tournament.
The final between New Zealand and Australia promises to be an epic clash, with two teams desperate for the title. Spectators can expect a high-intensity match, where every detail will count…

U24W

France vs. Colombia (3-2)

Right from the start, the French were aggressive and opened the scoring thanks to a fine team move that gave Les Bleues the opportunity to score in the opening minutes. The response was swift. In less than a minute, Colombia equalized, demonstrating their ability to get back into the match quickly. This intense start set the tone for a tight, balanced match. The scenario of the first half was repeated. The French regain the lead with a second goal, but once again, the Colombians react immediately to equalize. The score was 2-2, and the tension was palpable. The second half saw France accumulate fouls, with 19 penalty minutes throughout the match, which could be disastrous for a team in such a hotly contested game. Despite this indiscipline, the French defense held firm, preventing Colombia from capitalizing on these opportunities. Despite their exemplary discipline, the Colombians were unable to take the lead. Their inability to convert chances into goals, despite continuous pressure, ends up being the turning point of the match. In extra time, France showed their resilience. The French players manage to find the decisive opening that seals victory and access to the final for the French team. Colombia made every effort to get back on level terms, multiplying their attacks and trying to force another equaliser. However, the French defense remained solid, and the Colombians were finally forced to concede.

Match Analysis:

France:
The Frenchwomen’s ability to score quickly and respond to pressure was decisive. Their efficiency in extra time underlined their determination and ability to manage crucial moments. Indiscipline almost cost them dearly, with too many penalties conceded. This underlines the need to improve discipline on the pitch to maximize their chances in the final.
Colombia:
Discipline and responsiveness were major assets. The Colombians showed an excellent ability to equalize quickly and keep the pressure on. Their inability to convert opportunities, especially against a reduced team, was a key factor in their defeat.

Conclusion:
Despite a few disciplinary errors, the French came out on top in a high-intensity match. Special mention must go to Colombia, who came very close to qualifying for the final.

New Zealand vs. Turkey (7-0)

New Zealand set the pace right from the start. The New Zealanders scored quickly, giving their opponents no chance to settle into the game.Despite their relentless defense, Turkey were overwhelmed by the Kiwis’ wave of attacks, which showed total control of the game. New Zealand went on the offensive, exploiting every space left by the Turkish defense. The goals piled up with frightening efficiency, demonstrating the depth of their squad and their impeccable tactical preparation. By the end of the first half, the score was already heavily in the Kiwis’ favor. The second half was a carbon copy of the first, with New Zealand continuing to dictate the tempo of the match. Their collective game made of precise passing and fluid movement prevented Turkey from finding solutions to contain their repeated attacks. The Kiwis scored several more goals, taking the score to 7-0. Their performance was marked by a variety of playing styles, alternating between fast play and strategic positioning, making it impossible for Turkey to get back into the match. Despite the scoreline, the Turkish team never gave up. They tried to create chances, but were thwarted by a well-established New Zealand defense, which did not concede a single chance.
The Turks showed determination, but the step was too high against such a talented team

Match Analysis:

New Zealand:
New Zealand’s dominance was demonstrated by their exceptional team play and ability to finish off their moves efficiently. The diversity of their attacking strategies and their defensive solidity were assets that enabled them to take total control of the match.It’s hard to point to any weaknesses in such a performance.
Turkey:
Their tenacity and willingness to fight on despite the scoreline are commendable.Turkey showed flashes of attacking play, even if these were neutralized by New Zealand’s excellent defense.The difficulty of containing the New Zealand attack was their main weakness, with a lack of solutions to adapt to the Kiwis’ dynamic tactics.

Conclusion:
New Zealand confirmed their status as favourites by reaching the final with a resounding 7-0 victory over Turkey. This victory reaffirms their position as the team to beat, illustrating their ability to dominate all aspects of the game.In the final, they face France, a team that has also shown strength and resilience throughout the competition.
The Blacks will need to stay focused and maintain their level of excellence ahead of the final against France. It promises to be a thrilling encounter, pitting two of the most successful teams in the competition against each other. The final will be a real test for New Zealand, who will be looking to crown their perfect record with a world title.