The FINA Water Polo World League 2016 kicked-off on Tuesday October 21, with the men’s European preliminaries home-and-away games.
The season started well for Balkan powerhouses Serbia and Croatia, gold and silver medallists at both FINA World Championships 2015 in Kazan and at the 2015 edition of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League.
The Serbian team has collected all titles at stake since 2014, namely: the FINA World Cup 2014, the FINA World Leagues 2014/2015 and the FINA Worlds, while neighbour Croatia triumphed at the last Olympic Games in London 2012.
In first round of the 2016 Water Polo World League yesterday night, Group A’s Serbia defeated France in Belgrade (12-9) as Andrija Pralainovic scored four goals alone becoming the best scorer of the match. Captain Filp Filipovic sent three successful shots.
Group C’s Croatia crushed Turkey in Sibenik (CRO) 19-6, totalising three points. Players scoring the most goals were Antonio Petkovic, Marino Cagalj and Ante Vukicevic (three goals each).
To complete the Balkan success Montenegro defeated Spain 11-6 and traditional powerhouses Hungary, Greece and Italy also confirmed their favourite status. Hungary played Georgia (17-10), Greece crushed Romania (17-3) and Italy won in Moscow against the Russian team (16-11).
MEN’S WPWL 2016: EUROPEAN POWERHOUSES WIN IN ROUND 1
Provisional rankings:
GROUP A: HUN 3 pts (1W); GRE 3 (1W); GEO 0 (1L); ROU 0 (1L)
GROUP B: SRB 3 pts (1W); MNE 3 (1W); FRA 0 (1L); ESP 0 (1L)
GROUP C: CRO 3 pts (1W); ITA 3 (1W); TUR 0 (1L); RUS 0 (1L)
The Intercontinental tournament will take place from February 16-21, 2016 (city TBC) and the Super Final will be held in June, from 21-26, 2016
The EUBC European Confederation Boxing Championships kick-off in Samokov, Bulgaria today as one of the first five AIBA Confederation Boxing Championships taking place across the globe this summer.
A high class field of ten men’s weight classes will compete for gold medal glory. There is additional significance for this year’s tournament, as it will also act as a qualification event for the Doha 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships. The best six athletes per weight class will secure their place in October’s World Championships and the top 60 boxers in the Championships will earn quotas for Doha 2015.
“EUBC European Confederation Boxing Championships represent the ultimate step to qualify to AIBA World Boxing Championships 2015, where the best boxers from all over the world will compete for the ultimate boxing glory. Samokov, Bulgaria is the perfect stage to showcase the best European boxers in front of thousands of passionate boxing fans”, said AIBA President Dr Ching-Kuo Wu.
241 elite men’s boxers from 42 nations are on the entry list, which demonstrates the vitality of boxing due to the high importance of the event. Among the most established nations, Russia have taken a highly decorated team, while the strong Ukrainian squad has an average age of just 21-years-old.
Developing boxing nations including Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, F.Y.R. of Macedonia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro and Slovenia all compete with their biggest squads ever, while Netherlands have named a five-strong team with great expectations including Enrico La Cruz, Max Van der Pas and Peter Mullenberg. They will have a chance to compete against the traditional boxing nations, such as Germany, Italy, France and the UK.
Franco Falcinelli, President of European Boxing Confederation said: “I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the organization of this event, especially the Bulgarian Boxing Federation, the Local Organizing Committee, governmental and institutional support. Their excellent work and dedication has made these Championships a reality, for which EUBC is very grateful“.
The first European Continental Championships were held at the Paris 1924 Olympic Games, where the best boxers of the region also became European Champions. European legends such as Hungary’s Laszlo Papp, Lithuania’s Algirdas Socikas, Poland’s Zbigniew Pietrzykowski, Germany’s Henry Maske, Armenia’s Vladimir Yengibaryan, Russia’s Valeriy Popenchenko, Italy’s Francesco Damiani and Bulgaria’s Daniel Petrov all won titles in this competition which were significant highlights of their golden careers.
* Argentina are the new leaders of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking.
* New entries in the top ten are
Romania (8th, up 4), England (9th, up 6) and Wales, whose win over Belgium in the EURO 2016 qualifiers has seen them surge 12 positions to tenth place.
* The biggest mover by point this month is Wales (up 226 points)
* The biggest mover by rank this month is Belize (up 37 ranks)
* Germany made the biggest drop by point this month (down 364 points)
* Central African Republic made the biggest drop by rank this month (drop down 29 ranks)
Egypt edged Montenegro in the Final match of Group 3 to clinch a ticket for Group 2 next year, but more important to boost African Volleyball at the international level after a 5 year absence from the prestigious event.
Egypt celebrate a successful come-back to FIVB World League since 2010. The African team won Group 3 Finals in Bratislava, where they beat rookie Montenegro in dramatic final match in the Slovakian capital city 2-3 (20-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 9-15). Egypt lost only one game in this season of the World League against 7 victories and have now been awarded with next season promotion to Group 2.
The best outcome for Egypt in the World League was in 2008 when they won 4 matches including a historic victory against Poland who were the World Championship runner up 2 years before.
Egypt’s Coach Angiolino Frigoni
“We are very happy, this victory means a lot to Egypt,” Egypt’s coach Angiolino Frigoni said. “We had a good tournament as a whole and we deserve the victory. We had a lot of problems against Montenegro in the final in position 4, but we won and I am proud of it. We had some problem, our setter was injured, but I had a lot of confidence in my second setter, I know that he can play well. Again, this is a big result for Egypt and important for our ranking. We came back to World League after lot of troubles and we got a result. We will play in the second group next year and we will meet stronger teams. Now we will concentrate on African Championships in July. Our season as just started.”
Egypt celebrate a successful come-back to FIVB World League after 5 years of absence. The African team won the Group 3 Finals in Bratislava, where they beat rookie Montenegro in dramatic final match in the Slovakian capital city: 2-3 (20-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 9-15). Egypt lost only one game in this season of World League and will play next season in Group 2.
Egypt started the final match better and took an early lead 5-2. African team served very well and caused a lot of problems for Montenegro in reception. When setter Bekhit hit an a ace, the score was 17-13 to Egypt and the team mentored by Italian coach Angiolini Frigoni won the first set 25-20.
The Egyptian team during one of the games
Montenegro had rocket start to second set, captain Vojin Cacic was successful with powerful attack and the team from Balkan lead 8-5. Egypt woke up in the second part of the set and levelled the score to 17, but Montenegro was better in final moments of the set and won it 25-21.
Unstopable Egyptian opposite Abdelhay Ahmed hit another ace in the third set and African team lead 8-5. Egypt was up through all the set, but at the end they suffered a big loss, because first setter and one of the best players on court Abdallah Bekhit injured his leg muscle and had to be substitued when the score was 20-17. Egypt finally won the set 25-23, but he was not able to come back on the field of play.
Abdel Moniem spiking
Fourth set was under controll of Montenegro team. They had problems only in final moments of the set when Egypt closed the gap from 19-24 to 23-24 when second setter Abdalla Hossam was in the serve area, but Montenegro finally got the fourth set 25-23 and the gold medal match had to be decided with a tie-break.
Egypt lead 6-4 in last set of the tournament, but Montenegro came back and sides were changed by score 8-7 for the Balkans. Then Masoud Mohamed came in and created problems with his float service. Egypt collected seven points in a row and finally won fifth set 15-9 and the top of the podium.
below Sunday’s results for the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals, and World Group and World Group II play-offs taking place on 18-19 April.
Czech Republic will host Russia in the Fed Cup Final on 14-15 November. In the semifinals, Czech Republic overcame France 3-1 in Ostrava, while Russia defeated Germany 3-2 in Sochi.
Italy, Netherlands, Romania and Switzerland all won their World Group play-off ties and will join Czech Republic, France, Germany and Russia in the 2016 World Group.
Belarus, Serbia, Slovakia and Spain all won their World Group II play-off ties, and will join the four World Group play-off losing nations, Australia, Canada, Poland and USA, in 2016 World Group II. The four World Group II play-off losing nations, Argentina, Japan, Paraguay and Sweden, will contest their respective regional Zone Group I events in 2016.
The draw for the 2016 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas will be held in Paris on Wednesday 3 June. The top two seeds in the 2016 World Group will be the 2015 finalists, while the remaining seeds will be based on the ITF Fed Cup Nations Ranking of 20 April.
CZECH REPUBLIC defeated FRANCE 3-1
Venue: Cez Arena, Ostrava, CZE (hard – indoors)
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 46 76(1) 61
Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) 63 64
Petra Kvitova (CZE) d. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 64 64
Lucie Safarova (CZE) v Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) not played
Kristina Mladenovic/Pauline Parmentier (FRA) d. Lucie Safarova/Barbora Strycova (CZE) 06 63 [10-8]
RUSSIA defeated GERMANY 3-2
Venue: Adler Arena, Sochi, RUS (clay – indoors)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) d. Julia Goerges (GER) 64 64
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d. Sabine Lisicki (GER) 46 76(4) 63
Andrea Petkovic (GER) d. Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 62 61
Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 61 60
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova/Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. Sabine Lisicki/Andrea Petkovic (GER) 62 63
WORLD GROUP PLAY-OFFS
ITALY defeated USA 3-2
Venue: Circolo Tennis Brindisi, Brindisi, ITA (clay – outdoors)
Serena Williams (USA) d. Camila Giorgi (ITA) 76(5) 62
Sara Errani (ITA) d. Lauren Davis (USA) 61 62
Serena Williams (USA) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 46 76(3) 63
Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Christina McHale (USA) 61 61
Sara Errani/Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Alison Riske/Serena Williams (USA) 60 63
NETHERLANDS defeated AUSTRALIA 4-1
Venue: Maaspoort Sports & Events, ’s-Hertogenbosch, NED (clay – indoors)
Kiki Bertens (NED) d. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) 61 63
Casey Dellacqua (AUS) d. Arantxa Rus (NED) 75 63
Kiki Bertens (NED) d. Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 62 63
Arantxa Rus (NED) d. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) 06 75 75
Richel Hogenkamp/Michaella Krajicek (NED) d. Casey Dellacqua/Olivia Rogowska (AUS) 62 76(3)
SWITZERLAND defeated POLAND 3-2
Venue: Centrum Rekreacyjno Sportowe, Zielona Gora, POL (hard – indoors)
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Martina Hingis (SUI) 64 60
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 62 61
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 61 61
Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. Martina Hingis (SUI) 46 75 61
Timea Bacsinszky/Viktorija Golubic (SUI) d. Agnieszka Radwanska/Alicja Rosolska (POL) 26 64 97
ROMANIA defeated CANADA 3-2
Venue: Arena Maurice Richard, Montreal, CAN (hard – indoors)
Francoise Abanda (CAN) d. Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 46 75 64
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) d. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) 64 64
Andreea Mitu (ROU) d. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) 46 64 61
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) d. Francoise Abanda (CAN) 36 75 62
Gabriela Dabrowski/Sharon Fichman (CAN) d. Andreea Mitu/Raluca Olaru (ROU) 61 46 [10-5]
WORLD GROUP II PLAY-OFFS
SERBIA defeated PARAGUAY 4-1
Venue: Spens Sports Center, Novi Sad, SRB (hard – indoors)
Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) d. Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) 61 63
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR) 62 60
Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) d. Ivana Jorovic (SRB) 36 62 61
Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) d. Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR) 60 62
Aleksandra Krunic/Ivana Jorovic (SRB) d. Veronica Cepede Royg/Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR) 61 64
SLOVAKIA defeated SWEDEN 4-0
Venue: Aegon Arena National Tennis Centre, Bratislava, SVK (clay – indoors)
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) d. Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 63 63
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Susanne Celik (SWE) 62 60
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) d. Ellen Allgurin (SWE) 61 64
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v Rebecca Peterson (SWE) not played
Jana Cepelova/Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) d. Susanne Celik/Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 46 63 [10-7]
BELARUS defeated JAPAN 3-2
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, JPN (hard – indoors)
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Misaki Doi (JPN) 61 62
Kurumi Nara (JPN) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 64 46 62
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Kurumi Nara (JPN) 63 63
Ayumi Morita (JPN) v Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) 76(5) 46 64
Victoria Azarenka/Olga Govortsova (BLR) d. Shuko Aoyama/Ayumi Morita (JPN) 63 64
SPAIN defeated ARGENTINA 4-0
Venue: Tecnopolis, Buenos Aires, ARG (clay – outdoors)
Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) d. Paula Ormaechea (ARG) 46 76(2) 61
Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) d. Maria Irigoyen (ARG) 60 61
Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) d. Paula Ormaechea (ARG) 61 46 97
Maria Irigoyen (ARG) v Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) not played
Aliona Bolsova Zadoinov/Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. Tatiana Bua/Nadia Podoroska (ARG) 64 16 [10-3]
ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE GROUP II EVENT (14-18 APRIL)
Venue: SAAP Tennis Complex, Hyderabad, India (hard – outdoors)
The ITF has announced the latest results for the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals, and World Group and World Group II play-offs taking place on 18-19 April.
India was promoted to Asia/Oceania Zone Group I after defeating Philippines in the Asia/Oceania Zone Group II promotion play-off on Saturday. Denmark and Lithuania were promoted to Europe/Africa Zone Group II after defeating Greece and Moldova respectively.
The four winners of the World Group play-offs will qualify for the 2016 World Group, with the losers contesting 2016 World Group II. The four winners of the World Group II play-offs will qualify for 2016 World Group II, with the four losers contesting the 2016 Zone Group I events.
Live scoring will be available on the official Fed Cup website throughout the week. In addition, the English and Spanish versions of the website will feature a live blog, reports, photographs, audio interviews and live streaming. There will also be a fan zone showing the best social media content on http://www.fedcup.com/showyourcolours.
ITALY level with USA 1-1
Venue: Circolo Tennis Brindisi, Brindisi, ITA (clay – outdoors)
Serena Williams (USA) d. Camila Giorgi (ITA) 76(5) 62
Sara Errani (ITA) d. Lauren Davis (USA) 61 62
Sara Errani (ITA) v Serena Williams (USA)
Camila Giorgi (ITA) v Lauren Davis (USA)
Karin Knapp/Flavia Pennetta (ITA) v Christina McHale/Alison Riske (USA)
NETHERLANDS level with AUSTRALIA 1-1
Venue: Maaspoort Sports & Events, ’s-Hertogenbosch, NED (clay – indoors)
Kiki Bertens (NED) d. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS) 61 63
Casey Dellacqua (AUS) d. Arantxa Rus (NED) 75 63
Kiki Bertens (NED) v Casey Dellacqua (AUS)
Arantxa Rus (NED) v Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)
Richel Hogenkamp/Michaella Krajicek (NED) v Casey Dellacqua/Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)
POLAND level with SWITZERLAND 1-1
Venue: Centrum Rekreacyjno Sportowe, Zielona Gora, POL (hard – indoors)
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Martina Hingis (SUI) 64 60
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 62 61
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)
Urszula Radwanska (POL) v Martina Hingis (SUI)
Klaudia Jans-Ignacik/Alicja Rosolska (POL) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)/Martina Hingis (SUI)
CANADA level with ROMANIA 1-1
Venue: Arena Maurice Richard, Montreal, CAN (hard – indoors)
Francoise Abanda (CAN) d. Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU) 46 75 64
Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) d. Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) 64 64
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) v Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
Francoise Abanda (CAN) v Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)
Gabriela Dabrowski/Sharon Fichman (CAN) v Andreea Mitu/Raluca Olaru (ROU)
WORLD GROUP II PLAY-OFFS
SERBIA leads PARAGUAY 2-0
Venue: Spens Sports Center, Novi Sad, SRB (hard – indoors)
Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) d. Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR) 61 63
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR) 62 60
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) v Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR)
Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) v Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR)
Jelena Jankovic/Ivana Jorovic (SRB) v Veronica Cepede Royg/Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR)
SLOVAKIA leads SWEDEN 2-0
Venue: Aegon Arena National Tennis Centre, Bratislava, SVK (clay – indoors)
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) d. Rebecca Peterson (SWE) 63 63
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Susanne Celik (SWE) 62 60
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) v Susanne Celik (SWE)
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v Rebecca Peterson (SWE)
Jana Cepelova/Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v Ellen Allgurin/Cornelia Lister (SWE)
JAPAN level with BELARUS 1-1
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, JPN (hard – indoors)
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Misaki Doi (JPN) 61 62
Kurumi Nara (JPN) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 64 46 62
Kurumi Nara (JPN) v Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
Misaki Doi (JPN) v Olga Govortsova (BLR)
Shuko Aoyama/Ayumi Morita (JPN) v Vera Lapko/Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)
SPAIN leads ARGENTINA 2-0
Venue: Tecnopolis, Buenos Aires, ARG (clay – outdoors)
Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) d. Paula Ormaechea (ARG) 46 76(2) 61
Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) d. Maria Irigoyen (ARG) 60 61
Paula Ormaechea (ARG) v Lara Arruabarrena (ESP)
Maria Irigoyen (ARG) v Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP)
Tatiana Bua/Nadia Podoroska (ARG) v Aliona Bolsova Zadoinov/Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP)
ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE GROUP II EVENT (14-18 APRIL)
Venue: SAAP Tennis Complex, Hyderabad, India (hard – outdoors)
The ITF has announced the draws for the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals, and World Group and World Group II play-offs taking place on 18-19 April.
Two Fed Cup Zone Group events are also taking place this week: Asia/Oceania Zone Group II in Hyderabad, India (14-18 April); and Europe/Africa Zone Group III in Ulcinj, Montenegro (15-18 April).
The four winners of the World Group play-offs will qualify for the 2016 World Group, with the losers contesting 2016 World Group II. The four winners of the World Group II play-offs will qualify for 2016 World Group II, with the four losers contesting the 2016 Zone Group I events.
Live scoring will be available on the official Fed Cup website throughout the week. In addition, the English and Spanish versions of the website will feature a live blog, reports, photographs, audio interviews and live streaming. There will also be a fan zone showing the best social media content on http://www.fedcup.com/showyourcolours.
CZECH REPUBLIC v FRANCE
Venue: Cez Arena, Ostrava, CZE (hard – indoors)
Lucie Safarova (CZE) v Caroline Garcia (FRA)
Petra Kvitova (CZE) v Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)
Petra Kvitova (CZE) v Caroline Garcia (FRA)
Lucie Safarova (CZE) v Kristina Mladenovic (FRA)
Karolina Pliskova/Barbora Strycova (CZE) v Alize Cornet/Pauline Parmentier (FRA)
RUSSIA v GERMANY
Venue: Adler Arena, Sochi, RUS (clay – indoors)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Julia Goerges (GER)
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Sabine Lisicki (GER)
Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) v Sabine Lisicki (GER)
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) v Julia Goerges (GER)
Elena Vesnina/Vera Zvonareva (RUS) v Angelique Kerber/Andrea Petkovic (GER)
WORLD GROUP PLAY-OFFS
ITALY v USA
Venue: Circolo Tennis Brindisi, Brindisi, ITA (clay – outdoors)
Camila Giorgi (ITA) v Serena Williams (USA)
Sara Errani (ITA) v Lauren Davis (USA)
Sara Errani (ITA) v Serena Williams (USA)
Camila Giorgi (ITA) v Lauren Davis (USA)
Karin Knapp/Flavia Pennetta (ITA) v Christina McHale/Alison Riske (USA)
NETHERLANDS v AUSTRALIA
Venue: Maaspoort Sports & Events, ’s-Hertogenbosch, NED (clay – indoors)
Kiki Bertens (NED) v Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)
Arantxa Rus (NED) v Samantha Stosur (AUS)
Kiki Bertens (NED) v Samantha Stosur (AUS)
Arantxa Rus (NED) v Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)
Richel Hogenkamp/Michaella Krajicek (NED) v Casey Dellacqua/Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)
POLAND v SWITZERLAND
Venue: Centrum Rekreacyjno Sportowe, Zielona Gora, POL (hard – indoors)
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) v Martina Hingis (SUI)
Urszula Radwanska (POL) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)
Urszula Radwanska (POL) v Martina Hingis (SUI)
Klaudia Jans-Ignacik/Alicja Rosolska (POL) v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)/Martina Hingis (SUI)
CANADA v ROMANIA
Venue: Arena Maurice Richard, Montreal, CAN (hard – indoors)
Francoise Abanda (CAN) v Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) v Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)
Eugenie Bouchard (CAN) v Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
Francoise Abanda (CAN) v Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU)
Gabriela Dabrowski/Sharon Fichman (CAN) v Andreea Mitu/Raluca Olaru (ROU)
WORLD GROUP II PLAY-OFFS
SERBIA v PARAGUAY
Venue: Spens Sports Center, Novi Sad, SRB (hard – indoors)
Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) v Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR)
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) v Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR)
Ana Ivanovic (SRB) v Veronica Cepede Royg (PAR)
Aleksandra Krunic (SRB) v Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR)
Jelena Jankovic/Ivana Jorovic (SRB) v Veronica Cepede Royg/Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR)
SLOVAKIA v SWEDEN
Venue: Aegon Arena National Tennis Centre, Bratislava, SVK (clay – indoors)
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) v Rebecca Peterson (SWE)
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v Susanne Celik (SWE)
Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) v Susanne Celik (SWE)
Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v Rebecca Peterson (SWE)
Jana Cepelova/Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) v Ellen Allgurin/Cornelia Lister (SWE)
JAPAN v BELARUS
Venue: Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, JPN (hard – indoors)
Misaki Doi (JPN) v Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
Kurumi Nara (JPN) v Olga Govortsova (BLR)
Kurumi Nara (JPN) v Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
Misaki Doi (JPN) v Olga Govortsova (BLR)
Shuko Aoyama/Ayumi Morita (JPN) v Vera Lapko/Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR)
ARGENTINA v SPAIN
Venue: Tecnopolis, Buenos Aires, ARG (clay – outdoors)
Paula Ormaechea (ARG) v Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP)
Maria Irigoyen (ARG) v Lara Arruabarrena (ESP)
Paula Ormaechea (ARG) v Lara Arruabarrena (ESP)
Maria Irigoyen (ARG) v Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP)
Tatiana Bua/Nadia Podoroska (ARG) v Aliona Bolsova Zadoinov/Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP)
ASIA/OCEANIA ZONE GROUP II EVENT (14-18 APRIL)
Venue: SAAP Tennis Complex, Hyderabad, India (hard – outdoors)
The ITF has announced the official team nominations for the 2015 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group semifinals, and World Group and World Group II play-offs taking place on 18-19 April.
Two Fed Cup Zone Group events are also taking place in the week commencing 13 April: Asia/Oceania Zone Group II in Hyderabad, India (14-18 April); and Europe/Africa Zone Group III in Ulcinj, Montenegro (15-18 April).
The four winners of the World Group Play-offs will qualify for the 2016 World Group, with the losers contesting 2016 World Group II. The four winners of the World Group II play-offs will qualify for 2016 World Group II, with the four losers contesting the 2016 Zone Group I events.
Live scoring will be available on the official Fed Cup website throughout the week. In addition, the English and Spanish versions of the website will feature a live blog, reports, photographs, audio interviews and live streaming. There will also be a fan zone showing the best social media content on http://www.fedcup.com/showyourcolours.
In the fifth round of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League preliminaries in Europe on February 17, 2015, current World champions Hungary (Group A) snatched their fourth victory in a row defeating host Slovakia by just one goal 12-13 (2-1, 2-3, 3-5, 5-4) in Kosice. In the group’s second match-up, visiting Greece won over Romania 12-18 (2-3, 3-4, 4-7, 3-4) in Bucharest.
In Group B, seven-time World League winner Serbia showed no sign of slowing down, beating Spain 9-15 (3-2, 2-2, 2-5,2-6) in Madrid. On the victory, Serbia’s head coach Dejan Savic said: “We entered this game with great motivation to win. We started badly and changed the 5-2 defense. Then we set our pace and were good in attack.”
From the Spanish side, head coach Gabi Hernandez said: “I’m happy with the team’s attitude in the first half but we then made mistakes and this, against a team like Serbia which is the best in the world, cost in the end. We will learn from this experience for the future.”
In Stuttgart, Germany settled for a 7-11 loss against visiting Russia (1-2, 3-2, 1-3, 2-4).
WORLD LEAGUE 2015: HUNGARY SURVIVES SLOVAKIA
In Group C, Montenegro registered a clear win (13-7) over France, whose team yet found the net a total seven times (1-2, 5-2, 3-2, 4-1) in Budva. Post-game, Montenegro’s coach Ranko Perovic said: “In the first quarter we struggled to find our game. Later we became consolidated in defense and we played solidly. Now we look at the upcoming duel with Italy, I just hope we don’t repeat our loss from the first encounter.”
Montenegrin captain Nikola Janovic added: “France is a team that must be taken seriously. We were a little relaxed entering the match, it’s nice when you win. These games are
important for our young players who can demonstrate they can be counted on.”
Group C runner-up Italy ousted Turkey 3-16 (1-3, 0-4, 1-5, 1-4) in Istanbul. Hungary, Serbia and Croatia currently lead their respective group with 12 points each.
Round 6 will be held on February 19 and 20 with two games: Italy receives France in Lodi while Croatia (whose team did not play in this round) meets Turkey in Istanbul.
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