Serbia earns Olympic berth; Greece edges out France

Serbia is the winner of the day at the men’s water polo tournament at the World Championships in Doha.

The Serbs beat Team USA 14:12 in the third round and kept the top spot in Group C. Serbia advanced to the quarterfinals, thus qualifying for the Olympic Games as the first team to earn an Olympic ticket at the Doha Championships.

Four teams from Doha will qualify for the Olympic Games. It’s sure that at least four teams that had qualified earlier will play in the quarterfinals – Spain, Greece, Hungary and the winner of the match France – Australia, so a spot among the top 8 secures an Olympic berth.

Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, and Romania will battle for the remaining three Olympic tickets in the crossover round. Besides the four European teams, China is still in the race for a ticket to Paris, but with really slim chances.

The Serbs made a big comeback in the match against the USA (a 6:0 series in the third period).

Apart from that duel, the most exciting match was the encounter between Greece and France. The Greeks earned a narrow 13:12 win in a thrilling finish and kept 1st place in Group B. China won 3rd place after beating Brazil 10:8.

Spain beat Australia 15:9 to confirm the top spot in Group A, whereas Croatia, which demolished South Africa (29:6), finished 2nd.

Montenegro defeated Japan 13:11, and, thanks to Serbia’s win over the USA, took 2nd place in Group C. It will play against Romania in the crossover round (recently, Montenegro defeated Romania convincingly at the European Championships)

Hungary ran over Kazakhstan (28:1) to cement the top spot in Group D. Italy finished in 2nd place after beating Romania 16:10, but the “Settebello” won’t have an easy task in the crossover round, because they will meet the USA.

KNOCKOUT ROUND

Crossover round (February 11): Croatia – China (12:00), Australia – France (16:00), Montenegro – Romania (17:30), USA – Italy (19:00)

Quarterfinals (February 13): Spain – Montenegro/Romania (16:00), Greece – USA/Italy (17:30), Serbia – Croatia/China (19:00), Hungary – Australia/France (20:30)

Classification 13th – 16th place (February 11): South Africa – Brazil (9:00), Japan – Kazakhstan (10:30)

All times are local (CET + 2)

For the full schedule and the results, visit Total Waterpolo’s 2024 Doha page.

21st World Men’s Championship (Doha, February 5 – 17), Day 3

Group A

Australia – Spain 9:15 (2:4, 3:2, 2:4, 2:5)

Australia: Mercep 3, Pavilalrd 2, Poot 2, Edwards 1, Byrns 1.
Spain: Munarriz 3, Valera 3, De Toro 3, Bustos 2, Biel 2, Larumbe 1, Famera 1,

Spain confirmed 1^st place with a nice victory over Australia, and it did it without their key player, Felipe Perrone, who rested.

Although Australia started the game with confidence and took the lead twice in the first quarter (1:0 and 2:1), the Spaniards responded by scoring four unanswered goals between the 4th and the 9th minute, giving them a 5:2. The “Sharks” managed to close the gap to just one goal with two powerplay goals in the last minute of the first half (from Edwards and Mercep), but Spain did not allow them to equalize.

Unai Aguirre, who didn’t play against Croatia, posted 12 saves today Photo: Total WaterpoloBiel scored from a distance in Spain’s first possession in the second half, extending the lead to 7:5. The teams traded goals for a while, but the European champions regained their three-goal lead before the final quarter (10:7). They added three consecutive goals in the fourth quarter, building a 13:7 advantage and securing three points.

South Africa – Croatia 6:29 (2:7, 1:7, 3:7, 0:8)

South Africa: Tucker 2, Neser 1, Swanepoel 1,Neill 1, Rademeyer 1.
Croatia: Marinic Kragic 5, Lazic 4, Krapic 4, Fatovic 3, Vukicevic 3, Zuvela 3 Biljaka 2, Butic 2 Buric 1, Kharkov 1, Krzic 1.

Nothing but Croatia’s big win was expected from the duel. After less than a minute, Croatia had a 2:0 lead. In the middle of the second period, it stood 11:3. Shortly after, the Europeans built a double-digit lead (13:3) and cruised to a victory. All eleven of Croatia’s field players scored, and Jerko Marinic Kragic was the best with five goals.

Final standings: 1. Spain 9, 2. Croatia 6, 3. Australia 3, 4. South Africa 0.

Group B

Greece – France 13:12 (3:3, 4:3, 3:2, 3:4)

Greece: Genidounias 2, Fountoulis 2, Kakaris 2, Vlachopoulos 2,  Skoumpakis 1, Gkiovetsis 1, Papanastasiou 1, Argyropoulos 1, Papanikolaou 1.

France: Marion-Vernoux 4, Vernoux 3, Crousillat 1, Bouet 1, Khasz 1, Bodegas 1, De Nardi 1.

In the first two rounds, Greece recorded more convincing wins over China and Brazil than France, which was one of the reasons Greece was considered the favorite in this match. But, the Greeks earned a hard-fought victory.

Moreover, France got off to a better start and led 1:0 and 2:1. Early in the second quarter, the Greeks earned a 2-goal lead for the first time (6:4) after Kakaris converted a man-up. Midway through the second period, Greece’s younger center, Papanikolaou, also scored from a 6 on 5 to make it 7:4. It seemed Greece had control of the match. But, France didn’t say its last word yet. In the 20th minute, France cut the deficit to one after Crousillat netted from a distance for 7:8, but the Greeks responded with two goals and went to 10:7. Still, Roman Marion Vernoux closed this quarter with a power-play goal scored 11 seconds before the last break (8:10).

Thomas Vernoux, who was well-guarded in the first two periods, scored two action goals in the opening minutes of the fourth period and leveled at 10:10. Then, the teams started trading the goals – the score was tied at 11:11 and 12:12

France had a nice chance to take the lead. In the 31st minute, the French called a time-out, but an attack that followed a minute break ended in failure. Emil Bjorch had his shot blocked. Then, the French made two mistakes. They returned to their half of the field too slowly, allowing Greece to start a counterattack. While swimming towards the French goal, Roman Marion-Vernoux was excluded. Papanastasiou led Greece’s counter and Bjorch fouled him, resulting in a penalty shot being awarded to Greece. Angelos Vlachopoulos scored from the 5m line with 57 seconds remaining, making it 13:12. Bodegas missed in France’s last possession, and Greece secured three points.

Brazil – China 8:10 (3:2, 2:1, 1:3, 2:4)

Brazil: De Freitas 3, Carbal 1, Coutinho 1, Sojo Da Silva 1, Guimaraes 1, Carsalade 1.
China: Z.Chen 3, Y.Chen 2 B. Zhu 1, Chu 1, J.Zhang 1, Ch. Zhang 1, Shen 1.

The last game of the group stage wasn’t of a high quality. Both teams made many mistakes, but the match was exciting until the end.

The first quarter belonged to the Brazilians. China leveled at 3:3 in the 10th minute. After that, the Asians’ long goalless phase started. They were without a goal for eight minutes. Brazil scored three in that period. Guimaraes converted a penalty for 6:3 in the 17th minute. However, the Chinese were able to get back into the battle for the points and eventually won, while Brazil ran out of gas for the finish. Chen leveled at 6:6 with 54 seconds left in the third quarter. Shen put the Asians in front in China’s first possession in the final eight minutes – 7:6.

Shortly after, China went to 8:6. Their goalkeeper, Honghui Wu, did a great job in the second half (he collected a total of 14 saves). Guimaraes halved the deficit in the 29th minute (Brazil’s first goal after 12 minutes), but Jinpeng Zhang replied from a distance immediately. Agulha De Freitas kept Brazilians’ hopes alive with an action goal (8:9). There was still plenty of time for a turn (02:54 minutes)

Still, the South Americans couldn’t equalize. Zhongxian Chen set the final score by converting a 6 on 5 with 43 seconds left on the clock.

Final standings: 1. Greece 9, 2. France 6, 3. China 3, 4. Brazil 0.

Group C

Serbia – USA 14:12 (2:3, 3:4, 6:1, 3:4)

Serbia: Mandic 3, Vucinic 3, N.Jaksic 3, Ubovic 2, S.Rasovic 1, Drasovic 1, Vico 1.
USA: Daube 4, R.Dodd 2, Irving 2, D. Woodhead 2, Hooper 1, Obert 1,

Serbia claimed a crucial victory after a big comeback. It was a match with many exclusions, but one was a turning point. In the middle of the third period, USA’s captain Ben Hallock was red-carded because of a violent foul (former brutality). Something similar happened to him last year in the quarterfinals against Hungary in Fukuoka. Serbia had a man-up in the following four minutes and made the most of it, scoring four goals to enter the final period leading 11:8. But, the Serbs started coming back ever before the exclusion ‘ they made a 6:0 run in the third period.

The Serbs started better and led 1:0 and 2:1. At the finish of the first quarter, the Americans netted two goals within 30 seconds (one with a man-up and the other from a counterattack) and earned a 3:2 lead.

The Americans took control in the second quarter. They earned a 3-goal advantage (6:3). The Serbs cut the deficit (5:6). Still, the Americans restored a 3-goal lead with two goals from Hannes Daube (in the USA’s last possession in the second, and the first attack in the third period) – 8:5. Then, Serbia started coming back again – Vucinic converted a man-up. At the same time, Ubovic netted an action goal after a nice assist from Jaksic.

The USA wasted a man-up in its next possession. Ben Hallock fouled Nikola Jaksic in Serbia’s attack in the 21st minute. After a VAR review, the referees concluded that Hallock committed a violent foul under the water (he punched Jaksic) and was red-carded. Serbia got a penalty and four minutes of extra player. Mandic leveled from a penalty. Until the end of the quarter, Serbia added three goals to go into the final period leading 11:8. The USA had a man-up during these four minutes – two Serbs were excluded in one attack, so the Americans had a 5 on 4, but failed to score.

In the fourth period, Dylan Woodhead ended Team USA’s 10-minute silence (9:10), but Serbia kept the momentum and stretched the margin to four (13:9 and 14:10). The Americans scored two goals in the last 66 seconds. However, they couldn’t endanger Serbia’s victory.

Montenegro – Japan 13:11 (3:2, 2:3, 4:0, 4:6)

Montenegro: Matkovic 4, Ukropina 3, Popadic 2, Brguljan 1, Perkovic 1, Mrsic 1, Vujovic 1.
Japan: Watanabe 5, Inaba 2, Adachi 2, Suzuki 1, Okawa 1.

Both teams suffered convincing defeats in the previous round (Serbia beat Montenegro by eight goals in the derby, while Japan suffered one of the biggest losses in recent history – 5:18 to the USA).

Montenegro had more pressure in this match because it needed at least a point to continue battling for the Olympic berth. On the other side, Japan, which had qualified for the Paris Games last year, tried to surprise the Europeans and reach the crossover round for the fifth time in a row.

Still, the favorite won. Japan, as usual, displayed a very good performance in the first half but couldn’t keep the same rhythm after the middle break. Montenegro led 2:0 and 3:1. Japan trailed by a goal before the second quarter and, with two quick goals by Adachi and Watanabe, went in front – 4:3. The teams traded the goals until the end of the first half and were tied at 5:5 after 16 minutes.

Montenegro dominated the third quarter, jumping from 5:5 to 9:5, and controlled the game in the fourth period despite conceding six goals.

Final standings: 1. Serbia 9, 2. Montenegro 5, 3. USA 4, 5. Japan 0.

Group D

Romania – Italy 10:16 (3:4, 4:4, 2:5, 1:3)

Romania: Georgescu 3, Fulea 2, Lutescu 2, Prioteasa 1, Neamtu 1, Colodrovschi 1.
Italy: Di Fulvio 5, Bruni 2, Condemi 2, Iocci Gratta 2, Cannella 1, Renzuto Iodice 1, Echenique 1, Presciutti 1, Velotto 1.

The Italians proved who the favorites were in the battle for 2nd place in Group D, but Romania didn’t disappoint.

Romania had an early 2:1 lead. Captain Francesco Di Fulvio put Italy in front in the 6th minute with a penalty shot (3:2). Lutescu leveled immediately from a 6 on 5. Seven seconds before the first break, Italy earned a penalty shot. Romania’s goalkeeper Marius Tic saved a shot from Di Somma, but the ball went to the Italians and Di Fulvio scored, so the “Settebello” entered the second period leading 4:3.

Italy had three penalty shots in the first quarter and Tic saved two shots. The “Settebello” didn’t improve its poor conversion of the shots from the 5m line in the following three periods. They had seven penalty shots during the game and scored from only two (Tic, who was voted the MVP of the game, blocked four shots, and one was a miss). To remind you, the penalty shots didn’t bring them luck, as they lost a chance to finish atop after a penalty shootout loss to Hungary

In the 9th minute, Di Fulvio scored his fourth for 5:3, but Romania continued its chase and caught up with the Italians shortly before the middle break. Geogrescu made it 7:7 with 17 seconds left in the second quarter. After the equalizer, Italy’s head coach Campagna switched goalkeepers – Nicosia replaced Del Lungo. Italy had a slim lead at the middle break as Echenique found the net for 8:7, three seconds before the buzzer.

The Italians consolidated their defense in the second half with Nicosia in front of the goal. They went to 10:7 with two quick goals at the beginning of the third quarter (Iocchi Gratta with a man-up and Velotto from a counterattack), and from that point on, the difference was never smaller than two goals. In the fourth period, Italy increased its lead to 7 (16:9) and ended the contest.

Kazakhstan – Hungary 1:28 (0:8, 0:5, 0:8, 1:7)

Kazakhstan: Yeremin 1.
Hungary: Vigvari 5, Angyal 4, Nagy 4, Varga 3, Zalanki 3, Manhercz 2, Nemet 2, Tatrai 2, Fekete 1, Kovacs 1, Pohl 1.

The matches against Kazakhstan, with many young players on the roster, were shooting pieces of training for the European rivals in Group D.

The most important news for Hungary’s fans is that Denes Varga returned to the team (he arrived in Doha a few days later due to an illness in his family) and contributed to the victory with four goals in his first match at his 10th World Championships appearance.

The Asians scored their only goal only in the 29^th minute. All the field players of Hungary got on the scoreboard.

Final standings : 1. Hungary 8, 2. Italy 7, 3. Romania 3, 4. Kazakhstan 0.

For the full schedule and the results, visit Total Waterpolo’s 2024 Doha page.

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