Solid England claims fifth place
To decide fifth place, also England and Russia face each other for the second time in four days, with England coming out victorious with a clear win this time, 22-29.
Russia has one surprise in its starting line up with Igrashkina starting for Razina, where England coach Buckland chooses Turner over Lorrimer compared to the previous confrontation. England has a phenomenal start, going to 1-5 in seven minutes, forcing Russia to its first time-out. Then they continue to push forward to 1-8. Usachev doubles the Russian total and it's already the end of the game for Rodin, to be substituted by Polulyakh. Two goals by Petruhin bring Russia back in the game, going to 6-8 in six minutes. England takes control again, going to 6-10 and taking its first time-out. A second substitution by Russia after twenty-one minutes at an 8-11 score brings Razine back in her usual spot at the expense of Igrashkina. Davydova brings the margin back to two with two goals, 9-11. This narrow gap is short lived as England shows great accuracy, led by King who is personally responsible for the last two English goals before half time, making the score then 10-16.
Russia comes out of the dressing room with their most scoring player so far substituted by Artamonov. This may be the gamble Russia has in mind to turn things around in a situation like this, with Artamonov usually being the scoring player in that zone in last year's European Championships. Still, it's Davyodva and Usachev that are responsible for the second Russian comeback, both scoring two goals, aided by Kazachkov and Artamonov to get to 16-19. This is the moment Buckland puts in Dawson for Holness. Razina puts Russia back in the race, 17-19 with nineteen minutes to go. When King with his fifth goal scores 17-20, Russia substitutes again, and takes a second time-out at 17-21 by Bedford. Davydova with her fifth goal, Usachev and Razina keep Russia hopeful of turning things around to 20-23 and thirteen minutes on the clock, when England captain Woodvine scores some crucial goals, starting with 20-24 and ending with two goals bringing the score up to 21-27 with four minutes to go. England makes a double substitution, possibly to break the rhythm for Russia. Vogwill ensures the upcoming English victory with a goal, followed by an English time-out for an early celebration. A goal by Usachev is only for statistics and Dave Brooks has the honour to put the final score of the game on the board; 22-29.
England victorious beyond a doubt in this game, bringing them fifth place in the World Championships, a recovery after the seventh place in 2007. For Russia, their second World Championships end with a disappointment after showing good recovery against Czech Republic. They have the same final ranking as in Prague in 2007.
Top scorers for England are King and Woodvine with six goals each, for Russia Usachev matches that number and Davydova scores five. All English players from the starting line-up, with the exception of Brennan, score in this game.