JERUSALEM, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Netherlands qualified for the 2022 LEN European Water Polo Championships after an 18-10 win over Turkey in Israel on Saturday.
It was the Netherlands' second win in the 4-team Group D of the qualifiers, played at the Wingate Institute Olympic swimming pool in the coastal city of Netanya.
The game was close until halftime, with a score of 6-6, after a 3-2 Dutch lead at the end of the first quarter.
An impressive third quarter by the Dutches, in which they scored 6 goals and conceded just one, decided the game.
Kas Te Riele and Jesse Koopman scored four goals each for the winners. Their teammate Thomas Lucas added three more. Nadir Sonmez scored team-high four goals for Turkey.
With one round to go, the Netherlands leads the group with 6 points. Israel in second place with 3 points, after edging Ukraine 7-6, while Ukraine and Turkey remained with one point each.
The first two places in the group ensure a spot in the final tournament that will take place in Split, Croatia, on August 27.
The second ticket for Split will be decided on Sunday when Turkey will play against Israel and Ukraine will face the Netherlands. ■
