Cryer Made Aussies Cry, USA is golden

Americans are back on the top. After a four year Australian reign USA prepared revenge for the Prague Tournament, where they beat Australia 8:7 in a dramatic game. Caroline Cryer, an author of a hat-trick became a hero of the match.

The team Australia was an even opponent to the USA and if they entered the second half more aggressively, they could have been holding the Cup above their heads. Aussies even went to lead twice in the first period which tied 3:3.

Stacey Morlang was the first one to score, Americans quickly equalized thanks to Cryer and Lindsey Munday send the North American team to lead. Australians were responsible for another turnover after goals by Jen Adams and Courtney Inge, but Cryer equalized soon and no one else scored in the first half.

Americans have created a key advantage in early stages of the second period. Like in the pool round, the defending champions were unable to find a way to get through the enhanced American defense for almost fifteen minutes.

On the other hand, Americans improved their attack too and shot four goals in a row, Cryer competing her hat-trick by one of them. Melissa Williams was the first Australian to shoot a goal in the second half, having only thirteen minutes left to the end of the game when the score board showed 3:7. Immediately after that, American captain Michele DeJulius shot the winning goal to 8:4.

Although Aussies did not have much chances at this point, they performed an unbelievable play at the end of the match. All Marlee Paton, Hannah Nielsen and Williams managed to score and lowered the American advantage to just one goal, but did not have enough time to do more. Hence the team USA can celebrate their sixth World Cup title.

The battle of the bronze medals was fought between England and Canada for the third time in a row. The last two third place games were won by the European squad, but Canadians were more successful this time and got just the bronze medals for the second time in history after twenty seven years. Canada has created a key advantage in the first half, which they guarded in the second one as well, against England at the big stadium in Prague's Eden on Saturday. The Maple Leafs players could celebrate the medals after the victory 14:9 over England.

The Irish team came up against Wales in a battle for fifth place. Ireland started very swiftly, were more active, and led 3:0 only eleven minutes after the first whistle. Wales managed to shot two goals soon after one of the Irish players Jennifer Johnson slipped unluckily. After she have come back, Ireland took over the game again and struck the fourth time. Welsh scored thirty seconds to the end of first half and even equalized in beginning of the second one.

It was Johnson who shot a next goal and sent Ireland to lead. Emma Hawkins was not satisfied with the course of the match and after she shot an equalizer from a free position, she even made a one goal advantage in favor of Wales. However, Ireland soon woke up and seized the lead again after an incredible turnover.

The team Ireland led 10:7 in less than eight minutes to end of the match, but it was interrupted due to storm. Even though Wales were trying hard, they hit just a goalpost in their biggest chance. Ireland assured their victory by augmenting to final 12:7 in last seconds of the game.