Great Britain seal top 10 finish at Women's European U19 Championships

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Great Britain finished in Europe’s top 10 after a series of excellent performances at the Women’s European U19 Water Polo Championships in Madeira.

Head coach Nick Hume saw his side win three of the six matches they played in Funchal to clinch ninth spot in the tournament.

They got their campaign off to the perfect start, defeating Slovakia 7-6 in their opening preliminary group B match.

Skipper Annie Clapperton led the way with a hat-trick, while Katy Cutler (two), Cecily Turner and Stephanie Whittaker were also on the scoresheet.

Great Britain’s second group game proved to be a tough contest against Hungary who ran out 14-4 victors, Turner (two) and Cutler (two) on target.

A 5-5 draw against Israel – goals from Turner (two), Clapperton, Whittaker and Milly Wordley – ensured Great Britain finished third in the group on four points.

That set up a ranking match against Greece for a place in the quarter-finals of the event.

Despite coming out on top in the second quarter, Greece ran out 12-6 winners to book their place in the last eight.

Turner grabbed a hat-trick, while Whittaker, Clapperton and Greensdale were also on the scoresheet for Great Britain.

The defeat left Great Britain facing a semi-final 9-12 match against Czech Republic.

And Whittaker (four), Clapperton (two), Cutler (two), Greenslade, Wordley, Emmie-Rose Eastwood, Amelia Peters and Lauren Dundee all scored as Great Britain ran out comfortable 13-5 winners.

Their reward was a 9th-10th place match against Germany and Britain again hit double figures to seal victory.

Whittaker added another two goals to her tournament tally – she was Britain’s joint top scorer alongside Turner with nine – while Greenslade (two), Wordley (two), Clapperton, Turner, Cutler and Eastwood were also on target in the 10-5 win to seal ninth spot.

Clapperton ended the competition with eight goals, while Cutler weighed in with seven.

Image credit: Water Polo England

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