The Senior World Championships, started today, with the Women competition, at the UPCN stadium, in San Juan.
In the opening game, Germany beat Colombia by 2-6 (1-6 at half-time), in a match that had two distinct periods. In the first half, Germany entered determined, scoring two goals in the first three minutes, against a Colombian team that was unable to impose its own hockey style. Before breaktime, the Germans scored four more goals, but the Colombians managed to reduce the score, with a goal by Manuela Arias.
In the second half, Germany's performance decreased, and Colombia played better, especially due to its goalkeeper performance, Maria José Giraldo, who prevented Germany from increasing the score. The goal eventually arrived for the Colombians, but the lead given by the Germans in the first half, was determinant for the end result.
In the afternoon’s second match, Portugal entered the competition in the most positive way, with a 0-8 victory (0-7 at half-time) over the French team.
The Portuguese team began with a more aggressive game, with clear intentions of opening the scoreboard. Such happened after three minutes, through Marlene Sousa (0-1) and, 29 seconds later, Maria Sofia scored the second (0-2). Portugal showed a tremendous high pace in the whole first half, with the goals emerging naturally, without much resistance from the French team. Until the end of this first period, Portugal scored four more goals.
In the second half, France appeared more in the match, but the Portuguese dominance continued, although with just one more Portuguese goal, one and a half minutes before the end of the match.
Despite winning 2-0 (1-0 at half-time), the Spanish team had some difficulty imposing themselves against Chile, in the third match of the day.
Spain played its traditional high-pressure hockey style, while Chile tried to counter the opponent with quick touches, in an effort to control the game's intensity, in a well-balanced game start. Spain scored first, at minute 18, through Aina Florenza. The Chilean team responded positively to this result, always looking for the goal. The pressure nullified, at times, the Spanish intents, that tried to score through middle distance shots.
In the second half, Aina Florenza scored for Spain again, with just 18 seconds on the clock. Both teams had several chances to score, with the reigning world champions increasing their intensity, as did Chile, especially in the last five minutes of the match. But both goalkeepers prevented further goals until the end.
In the last match of this first day of the Women World Championship, the host team defeated 2-1 Italy, (0-0 at half time), in a high intensity game, where both teams focused on the attack.
In a well disputed first half, Argentina always sought the path towards the goal, without being able to materialize its attack in goals, even missing a penalty shot. Faced with the opposing offensive, the Italians superbly defended the Argentinean impetus, with the goalkeeper Veronica Caretta in the spotlight on several occasions.
At minute 21, Italy got the lead through Pamela Lapolla and Argentina tied the scoreboard with about 10 minutes left to play. Two minutes later, Luciana Agudo sealed the victory for Argentina.
Concerning the Women Intercontinental Championship games, Switzerland defeated 8-1 Brazil, (2-0 at halftime), and in the second game of the competition, Australia trashed México, scoring 12 goals, against two (2-7 at half-time).
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN
1st matchday - Monday 7th November - Venue: Estadio UPCN
10:00 (ART) - 15:00 (CET) - Gr. B - Colombia x Germany = 2-6
12:00 (ART) - 15:00 (GMT) - 16:00 (CET) - Gr. A - France x Portugal = 0-8
14:00 (ART) - 18:00 (CET) - Gr. A - Spain x Chile = 2-0
16:00 (ART) - 20:00 (CET) - Gr. B - Argentina x Italy = 2-1
Standing Group A: Portugal and Spain 3 points, Chile and France 0
Standing Group B: Germany and Argentina 3 points, Italy and Colombia 0
2nd matchday - Tuesday 8th November - Venue: Estadio UPCN
10:00 (ART) - 14:00 (CET) - Gr. A - Chile x France
12:00 (ART) - 16:00 (CET) - Gr. B - Italy x Colombia
14:00 (ART) - 17:00 (GMT) - 17:30 (CET) - Gr. A - Portugal x Spain
16:00 (ART) - 20:00 (CET) - Gr. B - Germany x Argentina
INTERCONTINENTAL WOMEN
1st matchday - Monday 7th November - Venue: Estadio UPCN
18:00 (ART) - 22:00 (CET) - Switzerland x Brazil = 8-1
20:00 (ART) - 18:00 (CDMX) - 10:00 (GMT+11) - Mexico x Australia = 2-12
Standing: Australia 3 points, Switzerland 3 points, Brazil and Mexico 0
2nd matchday - Tuesday 8th November - Venue: Estadio UPCN
18:00 (ART) - 16:00 (CDMX) - Brazil x Mexico
20:00 (ART) - 00:00 (CET) - 10:00 (GMT+11) - Australia x Switzerland