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U.S. women's water polo
By Kelly Foster // U.S. Water Polo // August 9, 2006
TIANJIN, CHINA The U.S. Womens National Team had no time to celebrate its FINA World League Super Final gold medal finish because hours after the championship game, the team was off to prepare for its key event of the summer, the 14th FINA World Cup in Tianjin, China on Aug. 8-13. On day one, the team took on Russia, a crucial game for the U.S., and won, 11-10. In other first day games, Italy defeated Hungary, 8-7, Australia beat Canada, 12-8, and Greece overcame host China, 10-7. (U.S. game details to follow)
The 2006 FINA World Cup includes the top seven teams in the world, based on rankings from the 2005 World Championships, plus the host countrys team. This year, the U.S. team is ranked second after its silver medal finish at the 2005 World Championships in Montreal, Canada. After their win at the FINA World League Super Finals, the U.S women will look to add a World Cup Gold to their long list of medal finishes. The U.S. women have not won a World Cup since 1979. Hungary, who defeated Team USA in overtime for the World Championship title last summer, is the reigning World Cup Champion from 2002. The World Cup takes place once every four years on the second year of the Olympic cycle.
The competition program is as follows:
GROUP A: GROUP B:
A1 China B1 Australia
A2 USA B2 Hungary
A3 Russia B3 Italy
A4 Greece B4 Canada
Preliminary Round Schedule:
AUG 8 AUG 9 AUG 10
1. 2:30 HUN vs. ITA 5. 2:30 - HUN vs. CAN 9. 2:30 RUS vs. GRE
2. 3:50 USA vs. RUS 6. 3:50 USA vs. GRE 10. 3:50 ITA vs. CAN
3. 7:30 AUS vs. CAN 7. 7:30 AUS vs. ITA 11. 7:30 USA vs. CHN
4. 8:50 CHN vs. GRE 8. 8:50 CHN vs. RUS 12. 8:50 HUN vs. AUS
*The 1st place teams in Group A and B will go straight to the semifinal round
Quarterfinal Round Schedule: Semifinal Round Schedule:
AUG 11 AUG 12
13. 3:30 1st A vs. 1st B 16. 3:30 Loser Game 14 vs. Loser Game 15
14. 7:00 3rd A vs. 2nd B 17. 7:00 - 1st A vs. Winner Game 14
15, 8:30 2nd A vs. 3rd B 18. 8:30 1st B vs. Winner Game 15
Final Round Schedule:
19. 2:30 Loser Game 17 vs. Loser Game 18
20. 4:00 Winner Game 17 vs. Winner Game 18
USA Senior National Team Roster:
Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan 2005)
Emily Feher (Tustin, CA/UCLA 2007/SOCAL WPC)
Heather Petri (Orinda, Ca/UC Berkeley 2002/New York AC)
Ericka Lorenz (San Diego, CA/UC Berkeley)
Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford 2003/Commerce)
Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC 2006/New York AC)
Natalie Golda (Fullerton, CA/UCLA 2006/New York AC)
Patty Cardenas (Commerce, CA/USA 2008/Commerce)
Erika Figge (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA/USC 2009/San Diego Shores)
Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/UC Berkeley 2007/Tualatin Hills WPC)
Alison Gregorka (Ann Arbor, MI/Stanford 2007/Great Lakes WPC)
Moriah Van Norman (San Diego, CA/USC 2006/New York AC)
Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC 2009/Santa Barbara WPF)
Alt. Jessica Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford 2009/Sunset San Diego)
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