Day 9 - 30 July
Highlights on the days play:
A great location, wonderful weather and fanatical supporters what more can we want for the finals of the 21st CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championships – great underwater hockey? That’s exactly what we got for finals day.
In a repeat of the last World Championship, New Zealand retain their world title with a gripping 4-2 over France. A game worthy of a final at the top of the sport.
In the bronze medal match, Great Britain had to dig deep for a 2-1 win over Turkey with the winning goal being scored in the second half of extra time. A special mention to the amazing supporters of both of these teams.
In the Elite Women’s grade the Australian fairy tale came to a wonderful end with the home team, Australia, coming from seventh seed to win a close and intense final 2-1 beating the previously unbeaten French team. Colombia proved too strong for Great Britain winning 3-0 to secure the bronze medal.
The USA Men’s Masters team continued their winning way with a good 4-0 win over France in the final to take the gold medal. New Zealand had a 6-3 win over Trans-Tasman rivals Australia to take the bronze medal.
In the Women’s Masters grade, France retained their World Championship title with a 2-0 win over the host country Australia. In the playoff for Bronze New Zealand proved too strong for USA 6-2
A great nine days of Underwater Hockey at the pinnacle for this sport that we all love.
Thank you Australia for a great tournament.
Day 8 - 29 July
Highlights on the days play:
Semifinals today at the 21st CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championships and as expected they were all close. Four finals – four French teams – how many golds will they win?
In the first semifinal the French outplayed a spirited Turkey team to win 5-1 and in the second semifinal of the Elite Men’s grade New Zealand held on to win against Great Britain 1-0 in an exciting and very tense game.
Top seeds France had a close game with Colombia winning 1-0 to make the Elite Women’s final where they will play Australia who continue their progression from seventh seed to win against Great Britain in their semifinal 2-1. An enthralling final in this grade awaits with the unbeaten team playing the local favourites.
The unbeaten USA Men’s Masters team continue the path to the final with a good 4-1 win over Australia. USA will play France in the final after France beat New Zealand 2-1 in a very close semi.
In the Women’s Masters grade, France were too strong for USA winning their semifinal 5-1 and in the other semifinal Australia won a tight game 2-1. In interesting game awaits in the grade between the unbeaten French and the hosts Australia.
A fascinating finals day awaits with the only certainty being some great underwater hockey will be played.
Day 7 – 28 July
Highlights on the days play:
Quarter finals at the 21st CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championships and we had it all. Extra time games, a game going to sudden death, an upset and those oh so close games.
In the Elite Men’s grade the top three seeds progressed to the semi’s tomorrow with wins by New Zealand 8-1 over Spain, Turkey 4-1 over Colombia and France 4-1 South Africa. In the fourth game the 4th and 5th seeds Australia and Great Britain had another great contest with Great Britain winning 4-3 and moving to the semi’s. The supporters of both of these teams were amazing.
Top seed in the Elite Women’s grade, France continued their way with a solid 4-1 win over South Africa. Colombia needed extra time for their 6-2 win over Spain after being 2-2 at full time. USA took on Great Britain and got so close after being 3-3 at full time. Great Britain scored a goal in the last 20 seconds of the second half to go to extra time and then again in the last 20 seconds of the second half of extra time to win 4-3. In an upset, seventh seed Australia came from 3-1 down to beat second seeds New Zealand 4-3.
Regardless of the teams position the passion of the teams in the water continues to increase along with their wonderful supporters. There is no better example that the Women’s Elite 11th & 12th play off between China and Singapore that needed sudden death to decide the game which China eventually won 3-1.
Day 6 – 27 July
Highlights on the days play:
Now at the business end of the 21st CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championships with all grades in the knockout stage. Suddenly things have got a bit more intense.
Final seedings now finalised with New Zealand on top with their unbeaten run of 11 games following a win against 4th place Australia 3-1. Turkey confirmed 2nd position with a 2-1 win over 7th placed Colombia. 3rd seed France has a solid win over Spain 5-2. The top 8 go to quarter finals tomorrow all of which will be very competitive and the winners hard to pick.
Game of the day for the Elite Women’s team today was a real gem between Great Britain and France with France winning 2-1. 2nd seed New Zealand had a good win over USA 6-1. Quarter finals tomorrow all of these teams are expected to be close and should not be missed.
In the repechage games Australia (7th seed) and South Africa (8th seed) won against the top two seeds from the B division to retain their position in the top 8 and will face the top seeds in tomorrow’s quarter final.
In the Women’s Masters games there were good wins for the top 3 seeds New Zealand 10-1 over Canada, France 9-1 & 12-0 over USA and Canada respectively and Australia over USA 10-1. Tomorrow USA and Canada play to determine the 4th seed.
Quarter finals for the Men’s Masters today with New Zealand 12-0 over South Africa, USA 22-0 over Japan, France 6-0 and Australia all progressing to Saturday’s semi’s. Australia’s 4-3 win over South Africa was an example of never give up - 1-3 down at half time and their winning goal scored with a minute to go.
Day 5 – 26 July
Highlights on the days play:
Day 5 at the 21st CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championships saw day of exciting underwater hockey as the teams vie for those final seedings.
A further two wins for New Zealand today, 1-0 over Great Britain and 2-0 over Colombia sees them now confirmed as top seeds. A 1-1 draw between Australian and Turkey see them both on 23 points on the table. In what was a surprise win, South Africa proved too strong for Great Britain winning 5-1. We now have the top 8 confirmed for Fridays quarter finals with the results of tomorrows games determining the final positions.
One game each for the Elite Women’s team today with New Zealand defeating Australia 2-1 in a close and tense game, Great Britain were too strong for South Africa 7-0, France won 1-0 against Colombia and Spain proved too strong with USA winning 2-1. Final round robin games tomorrow morning and then repechage for the bottom 2 in Division A against the top two from Division B.
Two games in the Women’s Division B today with Argentina defeating Singapore 5-0 and Canada beat China 4-1. Who will join Canada in the repechage games tomorrow afternoon?
France continue to lead the Masters Women’s grade with a 4-2 win over Australia. New Zealand loss their first game to Australia 3-1 and then won 8-3 over USA. In their early game USA beat Canada 4-2
Todays big game in the Men’s Masters grade ended with USA being too strong for the second placed New Zealand winning 5-1. In the other games France and Australia drew 2-2, South Africa had a 4-0 win over China and Canada defeated 17-0. Quarter finals start tomorrow for this grade.
Day 4 – 25 July
Highlights on the days play:
This morning the players called it “Moving day” and they called it correctly.
Two wins to New Zealand, 22-0 over Canada and 5-0 over South Africa. France made their move with wins over Colombia 2-1 and then an intense game against Great Britain winning 3-1. Australia had good wins over Argentina 4-0 and 12-0 over USA. Turkey cemented their place in the top 4 with wins over USA 7-0 and Argentina 5-1. Lots of big games amongst the top teams tomorrow in this division – not to be missed.
In the Women’s division A the French team made their move by defeating the previously unbeaten New Zealand team 2-1 and going to the top of the table. South Africa had a good win over Spain 4-2 and USA beat hosts Australia 2-0. To finish, Great Britain drew with Colombia 3-3 in what was an enthralling game. Tomorrows games look just as exciting as todays.
Two games in the Women’s Division B today with Canada defeating Singapore 6-1 and Argentina defeating Germany 10-0.
Four games and the start of the second round robin games for the Masters Women’s grade. France continued their unbeaten run with wins over Canada 12-0 and New Zealand 8-2. Australia continued their move also with two wins 8-0 over USA and 12-0 over Canada.
USA continued their run with two wins, 3-1 over Canada and 11-0 over China. New Zealand retain their second spot on the table with two 2-2 draws against France and Australia. China scored their first win today 7-0 over Japan. Big game tomorrow USA vs New Zealand (game 138).
Day 3 – 24 July
Highlights on the days play:
Another day of exciting underwater hockey here at the 21st CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championships. The competition is getting tougher and the games more exciting as the top teams now play each other.
The New Zealand team continues to lead the Elite Men’s grade with an impressive win over Turkey 3-0 followed by a close win over Spain 2-0. Great Britain also had a successful day with a further two wins, 21-0 over Germany and 3-0 over Argentina. Colombia had a good win over Argentina 4-0 and then followed this up with a win over Germany. France had a tight game with South Africa winning 3-1 followed by a 9-0 win in the afternoon game against USA. The hosts Australia had wins over Spain 8-0 and South Africa 4-2. Tomorrow brings 12 more games in this grade with some excellent match ups with the highlight looking to be France vs Great Britain (game 119).
The Women’s grade is now split into the A (top 8) and B (remaining 5) divisions.
In the Women’s division A the day started off with two great games, Great Britain beating Spain 4-2 and a 1-1 draw between New Zealand and Colombia. France got off to a good start with a 3-0 win over Australia. In the later matches the anticipated game between Great Britain and New Zealand saw New Zealand bouncing back from their earlier draw with Colombia to win 4-0. In an upset, improving Spain beat hosts Australia 3-1 in an exciting and very close game. France also had a close game beating USA 2-1 and Colombia defeated South Africa 4-1. This division continues to have high quality games and tomorrows top of the table clash between New Zealand and France (game 105) will be no exception.
In the Women’s Division B Canada and Argentina drew 1--1 and China scored their first win for the tournament with a solid win over Germany 8-0. China followed up their win with a second for the day in a very close and exciting game against Singapore winning 1-0. At the end of the day China leads the points table.
Two games in the Masters Women’s grade today, Australia was too strong for the New Zealanders winning 5-1. In the other game USA beat Canada 4-2. Tomorrow sees the end of the first round robin games and the start of the second round robin games. Leader France have two games, against Canada and New Zealand.
USA and New Zealand remain unbeaten in the Men’s Masters grade each winning their respective games. USA beat Japan 19-0 and New Zealand had a close game with Canada winning 4-2. France had a good win over South Africa 7-0 and Australia beat China 8-0. USA later defeated France 4-1. Two games each for all teams in this grade tomorrow with the key matches are New Zealand playing third placed France, and then New Zealand play their Trans-Tasman rivals Australia.
Day 2 – 23 july
Highlights on the days play:
In the Elite Men’s grade New Zealand had two wins including an impressive 3-0 over France to remain at the top of the table. Turkey also has two good wins today 15-0 over Germany and 3-1 over Spain. New Zealand and Turkey play tomorrow (game 71) which has the promise of an exciting game. Great Britain had two close games winning 2-1 over Colombia and 1-0 Australia. South Africa finished the day with a win over USA 5-0 to be in second place on the table along with Great Britain and Turkey.
The qualifying section for the Women’s grade is now complete and the two divisions are now confirmed (Division A – top 8 and Division B - remaining 5). In Group C the final seedings were determined between Australia and Colombia by a coin toss which resulted in Colombia being top seed for their group. Points gained against the other qualifier from their respective groups are carried forward to the Division A points table – this may prove to be decisive for the final seedings.
All teams in the Elite Women’s Division A played this afternoon with New Zealand defeating South Africa 7-1 and Great Britain winning 2-1 against Australia in a tight contest. Colombia has a good win against USA 3-1 and Spain and France drew 1-1 with Spain. Tomorrows top of the table game between Great Britain and New Zealand (Game 81) has the hallmark of a great game with the added factor of being the repeat of the 2018 final.
A third straight win by the French team in the Masters Women’s grade sees them lead the grade after a close win over Australia 2-1. New Zealand had two solid wins today over Canada (8-0) and USA (8-3). Tomorrows match (game 79) between Australia and New Zealand will be one to watch.
In the Men’s Masters grade USA and New Zealand continue their good starts after a win each with USA defeating France 4-1 and New Zealand winning 9-0 against South Africa.
Another great day of Underwater Hockey here at the 21st CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championships at the Gold Coast and tomorrow looks no different with the added factor of match ups between a number of the top teams.
22.07.2023
Thrilling Matches and Surprises Mark the Return of CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championships After Covid Hiatus
Day 1 – 22 July
Commentary of the days play:
An interesting day in terms of results with some surprises but we are still in unknown territory due to the absence of World Championships since 2018 due to Covid.
Defending champions in the Elite Men’s grade, New Zealand, had a good win over Germany 23-0 followed by a hard fought win over Argentina 5-0. There were three drawn matches today, (Australia & Colombia 1-1, South Africa & Spain 2-2, and Great Britain & Turkey 1-1) indicating that we are in for some exciting games in this grade.
In the Women’s grade the teams are working through the qualifying section which will be completed tomorrow morning with the teams then splitting into two sections - the top 8 and the remaining 5 teams. Great Britain and France with their two wins today have confirmed their position in the top 8. In Group C Australia and Colombia played out a very exciting 2-2 draw.
The Masters Women grade saw good wins for Australia over Canada 10-0 and France over New Zealand 3-1.
USA, France and New Zealand are off to good starts today in the Men’s Masters grade with two wins each, The USA team are looking strong with a good win today over Australia 5-1.
The 21st CMAS Underwater Hockey World Championships are off to a great start in beautiful conditions in the Gold Coast and we expect to see some great Underwater Hockey over the coming days.
