Serbia edged past Hungary in an exciting penalty shoot-out, securing a 16-14 victory on the third day of the Eon Cup.
Despite Hungary leading by two goals with a minutet to go, Serbia clawed their way back into the match. Viktor Rasovic tied the game 12-12 with just two seconds left on the clock. Serbi won the shoot-out 4-2.
In the preceeding game, the 15-7 scorline well reflected Spain’s dominance over Romania.
Tomorrow, the match of the day will see Spain and Serbia clash.
Day 3, Eon Cup, Budapest
Hungary 14 -16 Serbia (3-4, 3-1, 2-2, 4-5, PSO: 2-4)
Hungary: D. Szakonyi, D. Tatrai 1, E. Molnar 1, Z. Pohl, Vi. Vigvari 2, A. Nagy 4, G. Fekete, G. Burian 1, M. Meszaros 1, Ve. Vigvari 3, Z. Szeghalmi, B. Harai 1, V. Gyapjas.
Serbia: R. Filipovic, D. Mandic 4, S. Rasovic 4, P. Jaksic, M. Radulovic, M. Dimitrijevic, R. Drasovic 3, V. Milojevic, N. Vico 1 N. Ubovic, N. Lukic 1, V. Rasovic 1, V. Misovic,
Spain 15 – 7 Romania (3-1, 4-1, 5-3, 3-2)
Spain: U. Aguirre, A. Munarriz 4, A. Granados 2, B. Sanahuja 2, M. De Toro, F. Biel, M. Valls 1, S. Cabanas, O. Asensio 2, F. Valera 2, B. Mallarach, A. Bustos Sanchez 2, E. Lorrio
Romania: M. Tic, D. Belenyesi 1, M. Lutescu 1, R. Rath, V. Antipa, I. Vraceanu 2, A. Tepelus, A. Neamtu, S. Colodrovschi, D. Bota 1, F. Iudean 1, L. Vancsik 1, M. Dragusin
Hungary 14 – 16 Serbia: Gritty Serbia snatch shoot-out victory over rotated Hungarians.
Serbia maintained their composure against Hungary, securing victory in a penalty shootout at Komjadi (16-14).
A last-minute goal by Viktor Rasovic salvaged a draw in regular time for the Serbians (12-12). In the shootout, Vendel Vigvari and Gergely Burian both missed their targets, granting the Serbs a well-deserved win.
The match was a thrilling spectacle at the packed Komjadi, offering fans more than their money’s worth in a captivating contest between two of the sport’s great sides.
Although Serbia started stronger, they struggled to capitalize on multiple chances after falling behind. In the end, they held firm and, frankly, rode their luck to find the goals they needed. Key players like Dusan Mandic and Strahinja Rasovic, both Budapest residents, delivered standout performances, each scoring four goals. Radomir Drasovic also made a significant contribution with a brace in the game and one in the shootout.
Viktor Gyapjas was a standout player for the Magyars, both positively and negatively. He was replaced with shootout specialist Daniel Szarkonyi in the penalty shootout, who didn’t feature in the game. Adam Nagy showcased his improvement as a player in Europe with four goals, strengthening his case for more national team appearances.
Zsolt Varga can be satisfied with how his rotated side performed against the Serbs. Although the Hungarians didn’t control the match, they took the game to their more experienced opponents. In the end, Serbia dug in and held their nerve in the shootout with goals from Radulovic, Drasovic, Rasovic and Mandic.
Serbia silenced the Hungarian crowd by taking a 4-1 lead, with Rasovic and Radulovic converting well-placed power-play shots. Nikola Lukic tucked an effort under the arm of the young Hungarian keeper, Viktor Gyapjas, and Nemanja Vico scored brilliantly from the center. Despite the Serbians’ good first-quarter work, Hungary reduced the lead before the break, with scores from Meszaros and Nagy.
Hungary improved in the second quarter, leveling at 4-4 and again at 5-5. Gergely Burian’s beautifully placed lob on the halftime buzzer gave Hungary the lead at the turnaround.
The game opened up in the third quarter, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. Despite Viktor Gyapjas making several solid stops, Serbia twice drew level at 6-6 and then at 7-7. An unmarked Vince Vigvari tucked home at the back post, giving Hungary a narrow lead heading into the last eight minutes (8-7).
An early Adam Nagy strike in the last quarter gave Hungary a two-score lead for the first time in the game. However, Serbia continued to press and probe, staying no more than an arm’s length away thanks to scores from Mandic and Drasovic. Ultimately, Hungary’s two-score lead allowed them to attack with greater freedom. A David Tatrai counter-attack with a minute to play seemed to seal the game (12-10). Still, two late goals from Dusan Mandic and Viktor Rasovic, the latter with two seconds to play, gave Serbia at least the chance to roll the dice in a penalty shootout.
In the penalty shootout, Vendel Vigvari and Gergely Burian both stood up to take their penalties but could only hit the frame of the goal. Drasovic, Rasovic, Radulovic, and Mandic were all reliable from 5m, securing a hard-fought victory.
Spain 15 – 7 Romania: Spain pick-off ragged Romania
Spain barely shifted out of first gear in their 15-7 win over Romania.
There was nothing especially glamorous about the Spanish display; a better opponent might have caused a few more problems for David Lozano’s outfit, but the Spanish did more than enough to beat the side in front of them.
Romania played some nice polo in spells but lacked any real poise to threaten their opponents. In defense, they couldn’t lay a glove on the likes of Alberto Munarizz (4 goals), Bernat Sanahuja, and Alvaro Granados (both 2 goals) – who were firing at a typically emphatic rate.
It was smooth sailing from the start for the Spaniards, although they were guilty of not taking excellent chances in the first period to dominate on the scoreboard, with Bustos Sanchez, Granados, and Munarizz pushing the Red Fury to a 3-1 lead.
Spain enjoyed a much better time in attack in the second period. While proceedings continued with silky scores for both sides (Granados for Spain, Bota for Romania), three unanswered scores for the Spanish – which included a Munarriz Double – opened up a more expected 7-2 lead at half-time.
Romania found momentum for a short spell in the third, but the Spaniards kept the scoreboard ticking over with ease (Valls, Valera, Sanahuja, and Bustos), leading 12-5 at the end of the third.
The little intensity that remained in the 4th quarter translated into a 3-2 quarter for Spain.
Thurday 21st December
09:30 – Romania vs Germany
17:30 – Serbia vs Romania
19:00 – Hungary vs Germany
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