Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-retina-104×96Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48
  • News
  • CroMasters 2024
  • SHOP NOW
  • Livescore
    • Champions League
      • Champions League 2023/24
      • Women’s Champions League 2023/24
      • Champions League 2022/23
    • AUSTRIA 🇦🇹
      • Bundesliga Women
      • Bundesliga Men
      • Supercup
      • Cup
      • Regionalliga Ost
      • U-21 Women
      • U-19
      • U-17
      • U-15
      • U-13
      • U-12
      • U-11
    • SLOVENIA 🇸🇮
      • Slovenian championship 2022/23
      • Slovenian Cup 2022/23
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic league 2022/23
      • Nordic League 2021/22
      • Nordic Women’s League 2022
    • Alpe Waterpolo League
    • BWIPA
      • Next Generation 2023 – Men
      • Next Generation 2023 – Women
      • Barcelona Masters Cup
        • 30+ Women
        • 40+ Women
        • 30+ Men
        • 40+ Men
        • 50+ Men
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus
      • HaBaWaBa Easter U12
      • HaBaWaBa Easter U10
    • Tournaments
      • Herceg Novi Masters 2023 “30+”
      • Herceg Novi Masters 2023 “40+”
      • Budva Masters 2023
      • Duisburg 98 Cup 2023
      • Tintilinić 2023
      • Ruhr Games 2023
      • Sunčana Kapica 2023
      • Total Waterpolo Trophy U-15
      • Montenegro Cup 2022 (U16)
  • National
    • Hungarian League
    • French League
    • Spanish League
  • International
    • Tokyo 2020 Olympic Water Polo
    • World Championships
      • Fukuoka 2023
        • Fukuoka 2023 Men
        • Fukuoka 2023 Women
      • WC U20 Men 2023 – Romania
      • Budapest 2022 Men
      • Budapest 2022 Women
      • Gwangju 2019
      • Budapest 2017
    • European Championships
      • Split 2022 Men
      • Split 2022 Women
      • Budapest 2020
      • Barcelona 2018
    • Other
      • World Cup 2023
      • WL Belgrade 2019
      • World Cup – Berlin 2018
      • Junior WC Prague 2021
      • Junior EC Podgorica 2022
  • Total Player Award
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
✕

Hungary and Croatia join Spain and Montenegro in semifinals

January 22, 2020

Marko Bijac Photo: Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

Hungary and Croatia recorded the victories in the third and fourth quarterfinal match of the male tournament at the 34th European Championships and joined Montenegro and Spain in the semifinals. Spain and Montenegro earned their spots among the top four teams, by winning in the first two quarterfinals.

Hungary defeated Russia 14:10 and Croatia beat Greece 14:11. The final results are similar, but the games offered completely different storylines. Hungary secured the win in the last quarter, while Croatia broke its rival earlier.

Croatia, Hungary and Montenegro are eyeing not just medals, but also the only available Olympic berth. Spain has already qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, as well as Italy and Serbia did.

The men’s tournament, Day 5

Quarterfinals
Italy – Montenegro 8:10
Serbia – Spain 9:10 – PSO (6:6)
Hungary – Russia 14:10
Croatia – Greece 14:11

Semifinals 9th – 12th place: Turkey – Georgia 6:12, Germany – Romania 10:5
For 13th place: Slovakia – France 6:9.
For 15th place: Malta- Netherlands 9:19

Day 6 (January 24th)
Semifinals: Montenegro – Hungary, Spain – Croatia
Semifinals 5 – 8 place: Italy – Russia, Serbia – Greece
For 9th place: Georgia – Germany
For 11th place: Turkey – Romania

34th European Championships, men, Day 5

Quarterfinal match 3

Hungary – Russia 14:10 (3:2, 3:3, 4:3, 4:2)

Hungary: Manhercz 3, Varga 3, Angyal 2, Zalnaki 2, Vamos 2, Erdelyi 1, Harai 1.
Russia: MErkulov 3, Kiselev 3, Ashaev 2, Dereviankin 1, Krakhov 1.

All the match’s and the players’ statistics: HUN-RUS

Hungary was the firm favorite, but the hosts had to fight hard to defeat a persistent Russian team. Still, the Hungarians didn’t disappoint their fans in the packed stands of the Duna Arena. Although Russia played very well, the match had quite a calm finish.
Hungary was leading from the 2nd minute of the match. The Russians managed to level the score just two times (1:1, 4:4), but they kept up with the Hungarians for three quarters.

Denes Varga (HUN) Photo: Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

At halftime, Russia trailed by a goal (5:6). Hungary produced a 4:1 rush in the first four minutes of the third quarter to earn a 10:6 lead. But, the Russians were able to come back and the home team couldn’t relax yet. Russia reduced the gap to two (8:10) before the final eight minutes. The hosts finally, secured the win with a 3:0 run in the first two and a half minutes of the fourth quarter. Denes Varga converted a man-up to give the hosts a 5-goal lead (13:8), and there was no way back for the Russians, even though they didn’t surrender until the final buzzer.

Quarterfinal match 4

Croatia – Greece 14:11 (6:3, 4:3, 3:3, 1:2)

Croatia: Jokovic 4, Vrlic 3, Garcia 3, Vukicevic 2, Buslje 1, Milos 1.
Greece: Vlachopoulos 3, Genidounias 2, Skoumpakis 2, Kapotsis 1, Fountoulis 1, Dervisis 1, Argyropoulos 1,

All the match’s and the players’ statistics: CRO-GRE

Xavi Garcia (CRO) Photo: lalex.k/Total Waterpolo

The last quarterfinal match lacked expected excitements. The Croats built a big advantage in the early phase of the match and didn’t let Greece endanger the lead.

Greece opened the scoring after less than a minute of play, but Croatia responded with three consecutive goals for a 3:1 lead in the 5th minute. Even five goals were scored in the last two and a half minutes of the opening period. Vlachopoulos scored from a power play (2:3), but Croatia built a 3-goal difference quickly after that. The Croats entered the second period with a 6:3 advantage.

With two goals in a span of 50 seconds Vrlic and Jokovic extended the gap to five – 8:3. Greece was climbing back from time to time, but in the rest of the match, the gap between the sides was never smaller than three goals.

Dimitrios Skoumpakis (GRE) Photo: lalex.k/Total Waterpolo

At halftime, Croatia led 10:6. After 10 conceded goals, Greece’s coach Vlachos rotated goalkeepers. Zerdevas was replaced by Galanidis, but it didn’t help a lot. Croatia controlled the match and even rebuilt a five-goal lead (13:8 in the 23rd minute). Vlachopoulos closed the third quarter with a goal for 9:13. Skoumpakis narrowed the gap to 10:13 in the 2nd minute of the final period. However, Croatia’s win wasn’t in danger. Garcia netted for 14:10 midway through the final quarter and Fountoulis scored a consolation goal for Greece in the last minute of the game.

Maro Jokovic was the best scorer (four goals) and Croatia’s goalkeeper Marko Bijac also did a good job with 12 saves.

 

Quarterfinals 1 and 2: Two champions leave Budapest without medals

Morning/afternoon session: Germany and Georgia to play for 9th place

Total Coverage

For more information about the 34th European Championships visit our tournament page

Links for live scores and statistics:

Men’s tournament

Women’s tournament

Ivan Curcic
Ivan Curcic

Related posts

September 29, 2023

How can I stay up to date with each country’s national championships on Total Waterpolo?


Read more

Gergelyi Burian Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

September 28, 2023

Favorites earn away victories in Hungary


Read more

Denes Varga Photo by Dj. Kostic/VK Novi Beograd

September 27, 2023

Ferencvaros and Jadran Split collect points after late comebacks


Read more

Featured Projects

01 - 06 July, 2024 - Limited Availability

Book NowLearn More

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

If you share our passion for water polo worldwide, consider becoming a cherished contributor to our cause, with as little as 5$/month.

SUPPORT US

Learn More

Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

✕
  • 0
    How can I stay up to date with each country’s national championships on Total Waterpolo?
    September 29, 2023
  • Italian League 2023 – Women
    September 28, 2023
  • Italian League 2023 – Men
    September 28, 2023
  • Home
  • Water Polo News
  • WearWaterpolo Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Project Superstar – TW Camp
  • BIWPA
  • Custom Team Equipment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2021 Total Waterpolo. All Rights Reserved.
Total Waterpolo Arena

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalized content. By clicking "Accept All Cookies" or continuing to browse this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT