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ROME, Italy, July 29. THE 11th day of water polo action featured the women continuing with classification matches at the FINA World Championships.
The overall semifinals took place with Canada clipping Russia, 8-7. Emily Csikos tallied a hat trick for Canada, which converted 8 of 19 shots. Evgenia Ivanova scored twice for Russia, which went 7-for-28.
The U.S. cleared Greece, 8-7, in the other semifinal. Elsie Windes shouldered the load with five goals for the U.S., as the team converted 8 of 23 shots. Alexandra Asimaki tickled the twine three times for Greece, which went 7-for-32.
In the semifinals for 5th-8th place, The Netherlands edged Hungary, 10-9. Mieke Cabout notched a hat trick for The Netherlands, which went 10-for-35. Dora Kistelski, Rita Dravucz and Rita Keszthelyi each scored twice for Hungary, which connected on 9 of 26 shots.
In another close 5th-8th place match, Australia beat Spain, 7-6. Jane Moran led Australia with two goals, which went 7-for-33. Miriam Lopez-Escribano and Laura Lopez tallied two goals each for Spain, which scored on 6 of 27 shots.
Italy smashed Germany, 12-3, in the 9th-10th place classification contest. Roberta Bianconi went 4-for-4 to lead Italy, which converted 12 of 29 shots. Three players scored for Germany, which went 3-for-26 from the field.
In the 11th-12th place match, China drilled New Zealand, 16-9. Sun Yating totaled five goals for China, which went 16-for-33 overall. Kristen Hudson scored three times for New Zealand, which connected on 9 of 25 shots.