Savchenko stuns China at the buzzer as Russia win Division II title

Russia claimed the Women’s Division II Water Polo Tournament crown in dramatic fashion after Daria Savchenko fired home a stunning long-range winner with one second remaining to defeat China 18-17 in a thrilling final in Malta.

With both teams having already secured qualification for the World Cup Finals in Sydney the previous day, the gold medal match was played for pride — and it delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the tournament.

The final swung repeatedly, with the sides tied 12 times across four quarters. Russia held an early edge, but China stormed back in the third period and led 15-13 early in the fourth. Russia responded strongly, levelling at 17-17 before using a late timeout to draw up one final chance. Savchenko then stepped up, launching a powerful outside shot beyond goalkeeper Shen Yineng on the buzzer to seal victory.

View this post on Instagram

Veteran captain Ekaterina Prokofyeva rolled back the years with four goals for Russia, while Margarita Pystina, Bella Markoch and Vladislava Nechaeva each added three. China were led by Shao with four goals, while Shen produced 11 saves in a superb display that earned her Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.

Canada finished third after a dominant 19-12 win over Croatia. The Canadians raced into a 6-2 first-quarter lead and never looked back, with Emma Wright and Kyra Christmas both scoring four times. Emma Lawson added three, while Croatia’s dangerous trio of Ria Glas, Iva Rozic and Neli Jankovic each netted three.

Brazil secured fifth place with a narrow 12-11 victory over Turkiye. Leticia Belorio starred with five goals, including key moments in a tense contest decided by Samantha Ferreira’s late strike.

Great Britain ended their campaign in seventh after edging Portugal 13-12 in another dramatic classification clash. Britain led 12-8 before Portugal fought back to level, only for Izzy Howe to score the decisive goal with just over a minute remaining. Howe, Katy Cutler and Wordley all scored hat-tricks.

Germany took ninth place with a convincing 19-9 win over hosts Malta, while Argentina claimed 11th after defeating Kazakhstan in a penalty shootout following an 11-11 draw in regulation time.

South Africa completed the tournament in 13th, holding off a Slovakian comeback to win 10-9, while Singapore finished 15th overall.

Russia’s Bella Markoch was named Best Player of the tournament, while Croatia’s rising star Ria Glas claimed both Highest Goal-Scorer honours with 26 goals and Best Young Player recognition.

The week in Malta ended in fitting style — with one final moment of brilliance deciding the destination of gold.

Final Standings