Scotland, Denmark Win 4 Nations Titles in Dublin
Scotland Women and Denmark’s Men were crowned 4 Nations Championships yesterday (Sunday) following an exciting weekend of Water Polo at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.
It came down to the final game in the women’s competition with both Scotland and Ireland beating Wales and Denmark in earlier games leaving them to battle for 1st place.
In a close fought encounter, Ireland opened the scoring with Scotland responding straight away. Ireland took the lead for the second time with the the Scots putting the ball in the back of the net soon after. Ireland followed up adding 5 more to their tally to Sotlands 2 leaving Ireland with a three goal advantage at the ened of the 1st quarter, 7-4 to Ireland.
Scotland began the 2nd quarter strong scoring two in succession to narrow the gap to just 1. Ater a well saved penalty attempt the Scots put another goal away, leveling the teams again. Another goal a piece kept things that way, until Scotland went 1 up with the halftime score 9-8 to Scotland.
Scotland continued to attack Ireland starting the 2nd half with 2 early goals and followed up with another 3 to stretch their lead further. With 2 minutes left in the quarter, Ireland got on the board again, Scotland lead 14-9 with just 1 quarter remaining.
The final quarter was a well faught physical battle with both teams giving everything. Ireland scored a goal and a late penalty to close the gap but time ran out and Scotland took the Women’s 4 Nations, winning the final game 15-11.
Having suffered a 14-10 defeat to Scotland on Day 1, Ireland’s Men went into their final game against the unbeaten Danish knowing a win could see them finish in second place.
The 1st quarter opened with shots from both sides hitting the post. It was the third minute before either team would score with Denmark first on the scoresheet. Ireland were unlucky to concede a 2nd goal and a penalty put them further behind finishing the quarter 3-0 down.
Again it was the Danes who started off the scoring in the 2nd quarter and continued to dominate the game putting 6 more goals past the Ireland keeper. Finally, in the 6th minute of the 2nd quarter Ireland got on the board, but the Danes responded quickly. At halftime Denmark had a commanding 10-1 lead.
Denmark continued to impress in the 2nd half with 2 more goals followed up by a second goal from Ireland. Another score from Denamrk and a buzzer beater from Ireland put the 3rd quater score at 12-3. Three more goals from the Danes and a penalty and a goal from Ireland wrapped up the Mens Tournament with the final game ending 15-5 to Denmark. The result meaning that Denmark were crowned 4 Nations Champions and Ireland resigned to third place.
Sunday 14 September
Wales vs. Scotland 6-28 – women
Denmark vs. Ireland 10-16 – women
Wales vs. Scotland 9-16 – men
Denmark vs. Ireland 15-5 – men
Denmark vs. Wales 18-6 – women
Scotland vs. Ireland 15-11 – women
Saturday 13 September
Wales vs. Ireland 8-16 – men
Scotland vs. Denmark 11-12 – men
Wales vs. Ireland 4-17 – women
Scotland vs. Denmark 11-6 – women
Wales vs. Denmark 14-19 – men
Scotland vs. Ireland 14-10 – men