An electrifying day of matches saw the Canoe Polo semi-finals line-up being confirmed at The World Games Chengdu 2025.
Here is what the athletes said after their wins.
Women
Nina Hachenburg (GER): It was super exciting from the start, but Denmark was attacking, so it was a lot of tension as well. But then Jill Lara Rutzen scored to make it 2-2, and it was great. We are happy to reach the semi-finals. During overtime, we changed our tactics a bit, but I cannot reveal much on that. We deserved it. After the World Championships last year, it feels great to reach the semi-finals.
Lizzy Van Duijn (NED): We wanted to keep it clean, do whatever we usually do, don't do anything strange, and I think we did keep it very professional, very much the way we wanted to. We want to keep long ragers in our arsenal, because counters are one of our strengths. It isn't our entire tactic. Our attack itself within their defence is already strong enough, so it's more of a backup option, and we executed it well.
Tania Dugdale and Hayley Austin (NZL): We thought we started a bit slow, so it was really cool that we came into a really good vibe, and we are lucky to get that card at the start. We kept it clinical and pulled it back. Their number nine was very strong. We have a mix of speed and strength, and that helped us keep them out and mark the players at the same time. Thanks to everyone at home and thanks to all of our supporters here. It means everything to us.
Roberta Catania (ITA): It was a difficult match as we didn't know them very well. We have not played them much. It was a really difficult battle, but we studied them and are pleased to reach the semi-finals. Last year at the World Championships, it was our first final. The result did not go our way, but we have a different mindset now. We are very strong in defence, and we will give it our all to go all the way.
Men
Jonas Vieren (GER): I think we started as the favourites and we were pretty confident for this match. I think mostly it worked out, but two goals against us, in my opinion, is too much. Our defence is always our strength, and we still need to work on that. The team is just great. Everyone wants to win every match. I think we are just working together as a team. We cannot leave anyone alone in front of the goal, and that's what makes us so strong.
Mathias Klojgaard Amnitzboell Wellendorph (DEN): The quarterfinal against China was more about the mindset. We just had to really focus on our defence and get some of the younger players into the game as well. I think we succeeded with that. Of course, it's always difficult to play a quarterfinal, but now we are through to the semi-final, which is the biggest achievement from the Danish national team. Because of the group games, we have a pretty good feeling, which is really important for us. So, if we play good in the defence, I'm sure we're gonna manage to score the goals that we need.
Jan Erick Haack (ITA): It is always a hard game against Spain. We know them very well, and we were prepared. In the end, it's not only the physical parts, but the mental parts as well. You have to stick in the game, and it was back and forth because we have great shooters on both sides. It's quick.
Shivan McCutcheon (GBR): I don't know what I was thinking. I just saw the goal was empty just went for it. I am glad it went in. I don't think we started particularly well, and we struggled to punish them; they had a couple of green cards. We went 3-1 down. The lads kept believing, and we managed to come back in, winning with a golden goal.
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