Spain and the Netherlands advanced to the semi-finals and they face each other in the top four. Greece fell against Australia, while Hungary was close to upset the mighty US team but they came short despite holding the title-holders on five goals.

Spain stormed to the semis first after thrashing Canada. The Spaniards left no doubt who were in charge in this game as they took a flying start, led 4-1 after four minutes and 6-2 by the end of the first. At halftime, it was already over at 10-4, and they enjoyed a fine cruising to stop at 18 at the end.

The Netherlands joined them soon, after downing Italy. The Setterosa, after overcoming its struggles in the prelims, forced a tough fight and stayed in the match for quite long before the European champions took the upper hand in the fourth. Entering into the last period, Italy trailed 6-5, but Vivien Sevenich brilliant shot from the centre, followed by Lieke Rogge’s extra in a span of 48 seconds expanded the gap to three goals and Italy could never come closer than two as the Dutch always responded quickly.

In the last round of the prelims, the Greeks seemed to look for a result which would set up a QF against Australia. The first part of the plan worked – but not its more important phase, the match itself. The Greeks could score their first after 11 minutes, the Aussies were 3-0 up by then. Here Xenaki&Co. came back to 3-3 but their rivals took back the lead for 4-3 by halftime. Then the Greeks couldn’t really find a proper solution to neutralise Alice Williams who had made the difference against the Hungarians in the prelims. She netted two in quick succession and added three more in the fourth. Her five goals in the second half sent the Aussies to the semis.

The Hungarians faced a mountain to climb in the last match against the United States and they came up with one of their greatest heroics in recent years – still left the pool empty-handed. Holding the mighty US team on four goals in three periods and entering the last with 4-4 on the board was a tremendous feat alone. Still, the Magyars lost 5-4. The three-time Olympic champions could hit two in the entire second half – tellingly, only from 6 on 4s. However, it was enough against the Hungarians who gave everything but their outstanding defensive efforts eroded their offensive power and they couldn’t score in the last 11 minutes. It meant that after four consecutive semi-final appearances, they have to settle for the 5-8th crossovers.

Women’s tournament, quarter-finals

Spain v Canada 18-8, Netherlands v Italy 11-8, Australia v Greece 9-6, Hungary v USA 4-5

Semi-finals: Spain v Netherlands, Australia v USA