SHANGHAI, July 21 -- A slim lead over host China 10-9 ensured Italy a quarterfinal berth at Swimming Worlds women's water polo here on Thursday.
China trailed 7-3 after first half and almost completed a fully comeback, which being held off by Italy at the crunch time in the final period.
In Group B, Canada trounced New Zealand 11-4 to claim first after taking all three matches. Australia was second with 4 points and New Zealand ranked third. Uzbekistan suffered a 27-2 fiasco to Australia, finishing the last.
With Antigoni Roumpesi's clutch penalty shot 59 seconds remaining, Greece feasted a 6-5 win over Russia to fix a semifinal seat early as group C leader.
In the other match of Group C between Brazil and Spain, the spanish girls eased past Brazil 12-4. Keeping 6 points in hands, Greece topped the Group with Russia following by 4. Spain ranked third with one win and two lose, while Brazil bottemed without a single win after three games.
After tying with Hungary on 7-7, the Olympic Champion Netherlands handed over the first place of Group A to the United States, who grabbed a win from Kazakhstan hours later.
Thanks to that easy win, USA took the Group top away from Netherland with 5 points in total by two win and one draw. Netherlands followed just one point behind. The third and fourth place went to Hungary and Kazakhstan respectively.