Russell McKinnon, FINA Media Committee Member
Kazan, July 31.— Serbia came from two down in the
final quarter to defeat Australia 10-9 and earn a quarterfinal berth in men’s
water polo day-three action.
The Aussie Sharks controversially had two goals disallowed at the death and had to be satisfied with second in the group. Australia and Montenegro finished tied on points after a 5-5 draw between them two days earlier, but had the better goal differential. In the final Group D match, Montenegro squeezed out Japan 15-10.
Earlier, Hungary claimed the first quarterfinal spot with a 21-4 rout of Argentina, playing its first FINA World Championships. It was a third big win for the defending champion in Group C. Kazakhstan took second spot with a 14-3 win over hapless South Africa.
In Group A, Croatia smashed China 17-1 for group victory and Canada turned a 4-0 opening lead against Brazil into a 10-6 margin for the group’s second spot.
In Group B, Greece produced some top-shelf water polo against Russia, winning 15-11 to take out the group and United States of America settled for second with an 11-9 victory over Italy.
Final points:
Group A: Croatia 6, Canada 4, Brazil 1, China 1.
Group B: Greece 6, USA 4, Italy 2, Russia 0.
Group C: Hungary 6, Kazakhstan 4, South Africa 2, Argentina 0.
Group D: Serbia 6, Australia 3, Montenegro 3, Japan 0.
August 2
Preliminary Round Programme
10:50, CHN v RUS
12:10 ARG v JPN
13:30 CAN v ITA
17:30 BRA v USA
18:50 KAZ v MNE
20:10 RSA v AUS
The Aussie Sharks controversially had two goals disallowed at the death and had to be satisfied with second in the group. Australia and Montenegro finished tied on points after a 5-5 draw between them two days earlier, but had the better goal differential. In the final Group D match, Montenegro squeezed out Japan 15-10.
Earlier, Hungary claimed the first quarterfinal spot with a 21-4 rout of Argentina, playing its first FINA World Championships. It was a third big win for the defending champion in Group C. Kazakhstan took second spot with a 14-3 win over hapless South Africa.
In Group A, Croatia smashed China 17-1 for group victory and Canada turned a 4-0 opening lead against Brazil into a 10-6 margin for the group’s second spot.
In Group B, Greece produced some top-shelf water polo against Russia, winning 15-11 to take out the group and United States of America settled for second with an 11-9 victory over Italy.
Final points:
Group A: Croatia 6, Canada 4, Brazil 1, China 1.
Group B: Greece 6, USA 4, Italy 2, Russia 0.
Group C: Hungary 6, Kazakhstan 4, South Africa 2, Argentina 0.
Group D: Serbia 6, Australia 3, Montenegro 3, Japan 0.
August 2
Preliminary Round Programme
10:50, CHN v RUS
12:10 ARG v JPN
13:30 CAN v ITA
17:30 BRA v USA
18:50 KAZ v MNE
20:10 RSA v AUS
Match
24: 21:30, Group B, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 11 ITALY 9
Quarters:
4-4, 3-2, 2-1, 2-2
Referees: Boris Margeta (SLO), Nenad Peris (CRO).
Extra Man: USA: 3/9. ITA: 1/10.
Pens: ITA: 2/2.
Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Merrill Moses, Nikola Vavic (3), Alex Obert (1), Jackson Kimbell (1), Alex Roelse (1), Luca Cupido, Josh Samuels (1), Tony Azevedo (2), Alex Bowen, Bret Bonanni (2), Jesse Smith, John Mann, McQuin Baron. Head coach: Dejan Udovicic.
ITALY: Stefano Tempesti, Francesco di Fulvio (4), Alessandro Velotto, Pietro Figlioli (1), Alex Giorgetti (2), Andrea Fondelli, Massimo Giacoppo, Nicholas Presciutti, Niccolo Gitto, Stefano Luongo (1), Matteo Aicardi (1), Fabio Baraldi, Marco Del Lungo. Head coach: Alessandro Campagna.
Referees: Boris Margeta (SLO), Nenad Peris (CRO).
Extra Man: USA: 3/9. ITA: 1/10.
Pens: ITA: 2/2.
Teams:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Merrill Moses, Nikola Vavic (3), Alex Obert (1), Jackson Kimbell (1), Alex Roelse (1), Luca Cupido, Josh Samuels (1), Tony Azevedo (2), Alex Bowen, Bret Bonanni (2), Jesse Smith, John Mann, McQuin Baron. Head coach: Dejan Udovicic.
ITALY: Stefano Tempesti, Francesco di Fulvio (4), Alessandro Velotto, Pietro Figlioli (1), Alex Giorgetti (2), Andrea Fondelli, Massimo Giacoppo, Nicholas Presciutti, Niccolo Gitto, Stefano Luongo (1), Matteo Aicardi (1), Fabio Baraldi, Marco Del Lungo. Head coach: Alessandro Campagna.
USA vs ITA ©Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Match
report:
USA took second spot in the group, coming from 1-3 down to going three ahead in the third period and onwards to victory. For the last match of the day, it was another wonderful match. Italy look set for a great match with a 3-1 start, thanks to two Alex Giorgetti scores, one on extra and the other a penalty goal. USA then had the better of the second half of the period, levelling the match through Josh Samuels 19 seconds from the break. Jackson Kimbell then gave USA the lead with a pass down the post line on extra. Pietro Figlioli received a gift pass close in from his centre forward to level. Nikola Vavic and Alex Obert took the USA to 7-5 and Italian centre forward Matteo Aicardi pulled one back, giving USA a 7-6 halftime lead. The margin stretched to three through captain Tony Azevedo and Bret Bonanni, the highest goal-scorer at last year’s FINA World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Francesco di Fulvio, who scored the first and fourth goals for Italy, claimed his third from outside five metres to close the third-period scoring. Stefano Luongo made it 8-9 from deep left after the exclusion period a minute into the final quarter. Then Vavic scored his third goal on counter down the right side at 3:20 for 10-8. The match was put beyond doubt by Alex Roelse at 1:24 with a missile from downtown Kazan. Italy responded with a di Fulvio penalty conversion at 1:06, improving chances for a draw and second spot on goal differential. However, it was not to be and di Fulvio’s last shot was taken in by goalkeeper McQuin Baron.
FLASH QUOTES:
Tony Azevedo (USA) — Captain
“We played very well and Italy is a great team. It proved that we should have beaten Greece (lost 10-11) and finished first in the bracket. Every game is like an Olympic game. We would dream of winning a medal here, but our focus is the Olympic Games (in Rio). We now meet Brazil on Sunday. We did what we needed to do and finish the job (beating Brazil in the final at the Pan Americans in Toronto recently) to qualify for the Olympic Games. Brazil is a lot more hungry this time.”
USA took second spot in the group, coming from 1-3 down to going three ahead in the third period and onwards to victory. For the last match of the day, it was another wonderful match. Italy look set for a great match with a 3-1 start, thanks to two Alex Giorgetti scores, one on extra and the other a penalty goal. USA then had the better of the second half of the period, levelling the match through Josh Samuels 19 seconds from the break. Jackson Kimbell then gave USA the lead with a pass down the post line on extra. Pietro Figlioli received a gift pass close in from his centre forward to level. Nikola Vavic and Alex Obert took the USA to 7-5 and Italian centre forward Matteo Aicardi pulled one back, giving USA a 7-6 halftime lead. The margin stretched to three through captain Tony Azevedo and Bret Bonanni, the highest goal-scorer at last year’s FINA World Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Francesco di Fulvio, who scored the first and fourth goals for Italy, claimed his third from outside five metres to close the third-period scoring. Stefano Luongo made it 8-9 from deep left after the exclusion period a minute into the final quarter. Then Vavic scored his third goal on counter down the right side at 3:20 for 10-8. The match was put beyond doubt by Alex Roelse at 1:24 with a missile from downtown Kazan. Italy responded with a di Fulvio penalty conversion at 1:06, improving chances for a draw and second spot on goal differential. However, it was not to be and di Fulvio’s last shot was taken in by goalkeeper McQuin Baron.
FLASH QUOTES:
Tony Azevedo (USA) — Captain
“We played very well and Italy is a great team. It proved that we should have beaten Greece (lost 10-11) and finished first in the bracket. Every game is like an Olympic game. We would dream of winning a medal here, but our focus is the Olympic Games (in Rio). We now meet Brazil on Sunday. We did what we needed to do and finish the job (beating Brazil in the final at the Pan Americans in Toronto recently) to qualify for the Olympic Games. Brazil is a lot more hungry this time.”
Match
23: 20:10, Group A, BRAZIL 6 CANADA 10
Quarters:
0-3, 3-3, 2-3, 1-1
Referees:
Mark Koganov (AZE), Gyorgy Kun (HUN).
Extra
Man: BRA: 3/8. CAN: 3/11.
Pens:
BRA: 0/1.
Teams:
BRAZIL: Vicinius Antonelli, Jonas Crivella, Guilherme Gomes (1), Ives Gonzalez, Paulo Salemi, Bernardo Gomes (1), Adrian Delgado, Felipe Silva (2), Bernardo Rocha, Felipe Perrone (1), Gustavo Guimaraes, Josip Vrlic (1). Head coach: Ratko Rudic
BRAZIL: Vicinius Antonelli, Jonas Crivella, Guilherme Gomes (1), Ives Gonzalez, Paulo Salemi, Bernardo Gomes (1), Adrian Delgado, Felipe Silva (2), Bernardo Rocha, Felipe Perrone (1), Gustavo Guimaraes, Josip Vrlic (1). Head coach: Ratko Rudic
CANADA:
Robin Randall, Con Kudaba (1), Oliver Vikalo (1), Nicolas Constantin-Bicari
(1), Justin Boyd (2), David Lapins (1), Alec Taschereau (1), Kevin Graham, Matt
Halajian, John Conway (1), George Torakis, Jerry McElroy (2), Dusan Aleksic. Head
coach: Alexander Beslin.
BRA vs CAN ©Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto
Match
Report:
Brazil
was still smarting from a two-goal loss to the USA in the recent Pan American
Games when it took on the team from the other half of America. That two-goal
deficit was returned in spades, making it a six-goal turnaround and head coach
Alek Beslin wants more from his team. The victory was built on a 4-0 opening
stanza that didn’t see Brazil enter the match until three minutes into the
second period. From then on the teams matched each other. The best differential
for Brazil was when Felipe Silva converted consecutive shots for 2-4. From then
on when Brazil grabbed one back, Canada went out to four until late in the
fourth period when David Lapins became Canada’s eighth scorer for 10-5. Centre
forward Josep Vrlic closed the match at 2:18.
FLASH
QUOTES:
Aleksandar
Beslin (CAN) — Head Coach
“It’s
still not the result we want to be. We had a really good buildup. Three weeks
ago we lost to Brazil (by two goals). In Toronto there was so much pressure at
the Pan American Games. There was some hesitation in Toronto but it was a big
relief this evening. It is the step up we would like. Our man up was not so
good and our man down was oscillating. However, the structures flowed very
well. Defence was the key to the victory.”
Ratko
Rudic (CRO) — Brazil Head Coach
“We
prepared well for this game. I was really close to the referee. I saw different
from what the referee saw. I was really close to the game. Everything started a
little wrong for us. Probably we came here after two strong competitions — the
World League and the Pan Americans. We prepared as well as possible. I was
preparing the game plan, but we didn’t apply the game plan. A lack of
concentration; our shooting was not good; so many mistakes on defence; players
were not mentally ready for the game. You cannot keep a high level all the
time. It will be useful for us to analyse and make corrections. Brazil has
potential. We must play more and more and with confidence.”
Match
22: 18:50, Group B, GREECE 15 RUSSIA 11
Quarters:
5-2, 3-2, 5-3, 2-4
Referees:
Adrian Alexandrescu (ROU), Francesc Buch (ESP).
Extra
Man: GRE: 6/9. RUS: 5/14.
Pens:
GRE: 1/1. RUS: 1/1.
Teams:
GREECE: Konstantinos Flegkas, Emmanouil Mylonakis (1), Georgios Dervisis, Konstantinos Genidounias, Ioannis Fountoulis (4), Kyriakos Pontiekas, Christos Afroudakis (1), Evangelos Delakas (1), Konstantinos Mourikis (3), Christodoulos Kolomvos (1), Alexandros Gounas (2), Angelos Vlacholopoulos (2), Stefanos Galanpoulos. Head coach: Theodoros Vlachos.
GREECE: Konstantinos Flegkas, Emmanouil Mylonakis (1), Georgios Dervisis, Konstantinos Genidounias, Ioannis Fountoulis (4), Kyriakos Pontiekas, Christos Afroudakis (1), Evangelos Delakas (1), Konstantinos Mourikis (3), Christodoulos Kolomvos (1), Alexandros Gounas (2), Angelos Vlacholopoulos (2), Stefanos Galanpoulos. Head coach: Theodoros Vlachos.
RUSSIA:
Anton Antonov, Alexey Bugaychuk (2), Artem Odintsov (1), Igor Bychkov (1),
Albert Zinnatullin, Artem Ashaev, Vladislav Timakov, Ivan Nagaev (3),
Konstantin Stepaniuk (1), Dmitrii Kholod, Sergey Lisunov (2), Lev Magomalev,
Victor Ivanov. Head coach: Erkin Shagaev.
GRE vs RUS ©Andrea Staccioli Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto
Match
report:
Greece
announced its return to the top echelon of world water polo with a dominant
outing against Russia. Russia may have started the scoring, but Greece slammed
in the next four goals and the die was cast. Russia’s Sergey Lisunov and Greek
counterpart Konstantinos Mourikis closed the quarter with centre-forward goals.
When Konstantin Stepaniuk scored from the right to open the second-quarter
scoring, the crowd went crazy. Greece slipped the match out to 7-3 and 8-4 by
the long break. Russia must have heeded head coach Erkin Shagaev’s words at
halftime as Ivan Nagaev converted a penalty and then dragged in a rebound to
score for 9-6 at 5:35. Greece was unhappy with the situation and sent in three
straight in three minutes, including a penalty strike by Ioannis Fountoulis,
his third goal of the match. He scored his 10th of the week after Igor
Bychkov gave Russians heart a flutter with his valuable score from out the top.
Greece led 13-7 at the final break. Angelos Vlachopoulos scored his
second two minutes into the final period. Spurred on by an adoring packed house,
Russia then blitzed the Greek goal, first through Lisunov on extra off an
angled pass, then from Alexey Bugaychuk from eight metres and finally by
captain Artem Odintsov on extra from close in, for 14-10. Mourikis arrested the
slide on extra, dragging down a high pass and Nagaev increased the intensity
with a reply on extra for 15-11 at 2:10. It was his third of the match and
fifth for the week. For Russia to score 11 goals and lose, was heroic and
augers well for what is a young and relatively inexperienced team.
FLASH
QUOTES:
Theodoros
Vlachos (GRE) — Head Coach
“I
believe we did a very good job in our group. There were strong games and good
refereeing. We want to go as far as possible in this tournament. Both teams do
not know each other and the match was strong and difficult.” On Greece not
being at this level for some years: “Not since the bronze medal in Montreal
(2005). This year or next year we hope to make something happen. The situation
in Greece is very difficult and if we can make something here it would be
fantastic and make people at home proud of us.”
Ioannis
Fountoulis (GRE) – four goals
''We're
satisfied to top this group despite a tough draw. After a great win over Italy,
we didn't do well in the game against USA, but we took the victory, which we
needed. And today playing Russia we showed great offensive potential. But in
defence we should be very unhappy with our performance. We received maybe the
most goals not only in the group, but in the tournament. And that is something
that makes us think a lot because in the latter stages every goal will be
important. It's not so much that we don't do well in man-down but we are too
passive in defence. We need to move more and help each other better, especially
during set plays.”
Erkin
Shagaev (RUS) — Head Coach
“The
Greek team is a higher level to us; that was noticeable today. The start was
not good and we must score (early). We need to play more games of this level.
The best thing was that they didn’t give up and kept fighting like previous
games. We need to improve and skills, physical condition and experience.”
Match
21: 17:30, Group A, CROATIA 17 CHINA 1
Quarters:
4-1, 5-0, 7-0, 1-0
Referees:
Daniel Flahive (AUS), Masoud Rezvani (IRI).
Extra
Man: CRO: 3/11. CHN: 0/5.
Pens:
CHN: 0/1.
Teams:
CROATIA: Josip Pavic, Damir Buric (2), Antonio Petkovic (2), Luka Loncar (2), Maro Jokovic (3), Luka Bukic, Petar Muslim (3), Andro Buslje, Sandro Sukno (2), Fran Paskvalin, Andelo Setka, Paulo Obradovic (3), Marko Bijac. Head coach: Ivica Tucak.
CROATIA: Josip Pavic, Damir Buric (2), Antonio Petkovic (2), Luka Loncar (2), Maro Jokovic (3), Luka Bukic, Petar Muslim (3), Andro Buslje, Sandro Sukno (2), Fran Paskvalin, Andelo Setka, Paulo Obradovic (3), Marko Bijac. Head coach: Ivica Tucak.
CHINA:
Honghui Wu, Feihu Tan, Zhangxin Hu, Tao Dong, Wenhui Lu, Li Li, Zhongxian Chen,
Lun Li, Zekai Xie, Jinghao Chen, Chufeng Zhang (1), Nianxiang Liang, Zhiwei
Liang. Head coach: Paolo Malara.
CRO vs CHN ©Andrea Staccioli Deepbluemedia/Insidefoto
Match
Report:
Croatia
made a statement when it thrashed China with a display of speed and efficiency
that produced the biggest goal streak of the tournament. It started with a
burst of three goals, was punctuated by a fantastic Chinese angled pass to the
far post for captain Chufeng Zhang to bat in and that was it. Croatia just went
on the rampage, shutting China out for the rest of the match. The only respite
for China was the final quarter. Croatia went for the throat at every occasion
and showed why many people have said that it’s the team to beat in Kazan.
FLASH
QUOTES:
Maro
Jokovic (CRO)
''We're
satisfied with the first place in the group being directly qualified for the
quarterfinals. But we're still finding ourselves and have a lot to improve on.
Looking back we had a tricky game against Brazil and are yet to play a big
game. But now we will have three days off to prepare for the quarterfinals. And
as we have left all injuries behind us, I'm sure things this second part of the
championships will only go uphill.''
Paolo
Malara (ITA) — China Head Coach
“After
losing to Canada (2-8) it was important for us to lift for the future. We need
to work hard mentally. Croatia is one of the best teams in the world. It is not
possible that we play this way. No good for me, for China or my players.”
Match
20: 13:30, Group D, JAPAN 10 MONTENEGRO 15
Quarters:
2-3, 2-5, 2-5, 4-2
Referees:
Dion Willis (RSA), Massimiliano Caputi (ITA).
Extra
Man:
Pens:
JPN: 2/3. MNE: 3/3.
Teams:
JAPAN:
Katsuyuki Tanamura, Seiya Adachi, Atsushi Arai, Mitsuaki Shiga (1), Akira
Yanase (3), Atsuto Iida, Yusuke Shimizu (1), Yuki Kadono (1), Koji Takei (4),
Kenya Yasuda, Keigo Okawa, Shota Hazui, Tomoyoshi Fukushima. Head coach: Yoji
Omoto.
MONTENEGRO:
Dejan Lazovic, Drasko Brguljan (1), Vjekoslav Paskovic (3), Uros Cuckovic,
Darko Brguljan, Aleksandar Radovic (4), Mladan Janovic, Aleksa Ukropina,
Aleksandar Ivovic (4), Nikola Murisic (2), Filip Klikovac (1), Predrag Jokic
(1), Milos Scepanovic. Head coach: Ranko Perovic.
JPN vs MNE ©Giorgio Perottino / Deepbluemedia
Match
report:
Both
teams entertained in a match that Montenegro dominated and Japan kept firing
back with goals from time to time, exploding in the final quarter when all was
lost. The close start expanded to a 7-2 margin in favour of Montenegro before
closing the half at 8-4. A three-goal burst at the top of the third left the
crowd in no doubt about the eventual winner. There were three penalty goals
early in the match and three others in the later part with Montenegro scoring
three and Japan claiming two from three. All players relished turning at centre
and the referees accommodated them. Japan’s extra burst in the final quarter
lifted the match and its scoring to double figures. Japan’s first two goals
were scored by dynamo Koji Takei and the last two as well. In fact, Montenegro
was shut out of the final four minutes while Japan scored three goals.
Match
19: 12:10, Group D, SERBIA 10 AUSTRALIA 9
Quarters:
3-2, 2-2, 1-4, 4-1
Referees:
Radoslaw Koryzna (POL), Georgios Stavridis (GRE).
Extra
Man: SRB: 2/7. AUS: 2/5
Pens:
Teams:
SERBIA: Gojko Pijetlovic, Dusan Mandic, Zivko Gocic (1), Sava Randelovic, Milos Cuk (1), Dusko Pijetlovic (1), Slobodan Nikic (1), Milan Aleksic (2), Nikola Jaksic, Filip Filipovic (2), Andrija Prlainovic, Stefan Mitrovic (2), Branislav Mitrovic. Head coach: Dejan Savic.
SERBIA: Gojko Pijetlovic, Dusan Mandic, Zivko Gocic (1), Sava Randelovic, Milos Cuk (1), Dusko Pijetlovic (1), Slobodan Nikic (1), Milan Aleksic (2), Nikola Jaksic, Filip Filipovic (2), Andrija Prlainovic, Stefan Mitrovic (2), Branislav Mitrovic. Head coach: Dejan Savic.
AUSTRALIA:
James Stanton-French, Richard Campbell, George Ford, John Cotterill (1), Nathan
Power (1), Jarrod Gilchrist, Aiden Roach, Aaron Younger (3), Joel Swift (2),
Emery Mitchell, Rhys Howden (1), Tyler Martin (1), Joel Dennerley. Head coach:
Elvis Fatovic
AUS vs SRB ©Giorgio Perottino / Deepbluemedia
Match
Report:
Serbia
won a topsy-turvy encounter, leading 3-1 early and then blowing a 6-4 advantage
to go behind by two goals. Serbian experienced floated to the top at the start
of the fourth period and the game — a real thriller — ended in the “natural
order”. The Aussie Sharks opened proceedings through captain Rhys Howden, then
Serbia struck back with three goals in the next four minutes through Slobodan
Nikic, Milos Cuk and Dusko Pijetlovic. Nathan Power fumbled with the ball at
centre forward, but still managed to score for 3-2.
Aaron
Younger levelled the match on the first attack of the second quarter from five
metres and then goals were traded until Milan Aleksic gave Serbia the 5-4 lead
going into the halftime break. Stefan Mitrovic gave Serbia a two-goal advantage
to start the third, but then the unthinkable happen as the multi-champion team
had to watch as Australia fired in four unanswered goals by the aggressive
Sharks, coming from centre forward on extra (Joel Swift), a five-metre lob
(John Cotterill), a drive deep left (Younger) and then a nine-metre shot
(Younger, for his third). To cap it, Serbia blew a four on none counter with
superb Australian defence. Serbia nearly grabbed one back after a timeout with
an Aleksic shot channelled to goalkeeper Joel Dennerley. Australia was two
clear against the multiple World League champion that dominated with World
League, European and World Cup success last year. It did not take Serbia too
long to catch up — less than three minutes — through Aleksic on extra and then Mitrovic
on a pinpoint pass to the far post. Serbian captain Zivko Gocic regained the
lead with strike from the top on action at 4:18. The imbalance had been
redressed. Australia had some poor luck when a shot that seemingly crossed the
line was not awarded and then a Younger shot off a free throw from well outside
was disallowed so the referee could eject the Serbian, much to the despair of
the Australian bench. Swift made no mistake with his extra-man attempt from
point blank at 1:36 for 9-10 and something head coach Elvis Fatovic said to the
referee earned a yellow card. Cotterill hit the crossbar with a long lob and
Serbia nearly lost the ball in the rebound. Serbia’s shot at the other end was
astray and Australia had the last 13 seconds, gained an exclusion at 0:01, but
the shot was blocked. What an excellent encounter!
FLASH
QUOTES:
Elvis
Fatovic (AUS) — Head Coach
“I’m
proud of my team, the way they played They are a much more experienced team.
It’s hard playing Montenegro and Serbia (in the group). They should be
stronger. I think we proved in one game that anything is possible. That’s our
plan.”
Joel
Dennerley (AUS) — Goalkeeper
“It was
a good effort definitely by the boys. Serbia is very good but on their attack
we channeled the ball and they played pressure zone. Our counter defence was
strong and our defence between players on man down was quite solid.”
Joel
Swift (AUS) — Centre Forward
“It’s
disappointing to lose but it’s still a good result. We’ve been building
together for a few years now and everyone’s on the same page. A lot of us
played younger age groups together and I think most of the team has played together
for four or five years now, so there’s a lot of spirit and everyone knows the
nuances of the things we can do and we know we’re always in a match.”
Match
18: 10:50, Group C, HUNGARY 21 ARGENTINA 4
Quarters:
6-2, 3-1, 6-1, 6-0
Referees:
Sergey Naumov (RUS), Peter De Jong (NED).
Extra
Man: HUN: 7/11. ARG: 0/5.
Pens:
Nil
Teams:
HUNGARY: Viktor Nagy, Miklos Gor-Nagy, Norbert Madaras (1), Balazs Erdelyi (2), Marton Vamos (4), Norbert Hosnyanszky (2), Daniel Angyal (1), Marton Szivos (3), Daniel Varga (1), Denes Varga (5), Krisztian Bedo, Balazs Harai (2), Attila Decker. Head coach: Tibor Benedek.
HUNGARY: Viktor Nagy, Miklos Gor-Nagy, Norbert Madaras (1), Balazs Erdelyi (2), Marton Vamos (4), Norbert Hosnyanszky (2), Daniel Angyal (1), Marton Szivos (3), Daniel Varga (1), Denes Varga (5), Krisztian Bedo, Balazs Harai (2), Attila Decker. Head coach: Tibor Benedek.
ARGENTINA:
Diego Malnero, Ramiro Veich, Tomas Galimberti, Andreas Monutti, Emanuel Lopez
(2), Tomas Bulgheroni, Juan Pablo Montane, Esteban Corsi, Ivan Carabantes,
Julian Daszczyk, Franco Demarchi (1), German Yanez (1), Franco Testa. Head
coach: Nahuel Alfonso.
HUN vs ARG ©Giorgio Perottino / Deepbluemedia
Match
report:
Hungary
breezed through to the quarterfinals with a third big victory of the week.
Sharpening skills for the later rounds with little serious pressure may not be
the best preparation for the critical part of the tournament, but the world
champions made the most of their time in the water. Argentina actually opened
the scoring in the first minute through a sweeping backhand by big centre
forward Emanuel Lopez. Hungary took it to 5-1 and 6-2 at the break before
advancing to a comfortable 9-3 at halftime. Hungary closed the gate for
Argentina in the second half — not before allowing one goal to slip through
from Lopez on a cross pass at centre forward — as Denes Varga collected the
last three goals in a wonderful display of accurate passing, inter-personal communication
and finishing prowess. The champion is ready to tangle with the best in the
coming week.
FLASH
QUOTES:
Tibor
Benedek (HUN) — Head Coach
On
playing three “easy” matches in the group stage: “I’m happy with the way we’re
playing but the start of the championships for us will be in three days. We
will play some friendly half-hour matches with Croatia and Serbia in the coming
days and these will be more similar to the three group games.”
Ivan
Carabantes (ARG) — Captain
“First
of all it was an honour to play with them. It must have been fun for Hungarian
water polo. It was a very emotional game for us. We prepared the best we could
— 100 percent body and mind. They are really talented players like the Varga
brothers. We played well for the first two quarters, but in the second half the
difference in levels appeared and the match opened for them.” On the best part
of the match for Argentina: “Our soul. We have to learn a lot, as this is our
first time at World Championships. It was a pleasure to train and play this
type of game.”
Match
17: 09:30, Group C, SOUTH AFRICA 3 KAZAKHSTAN 14
Quarters:
0-4, 1-3, 1-5, 1-2
Referees:
Fabio Toffoli (BRA), Hatem Gaber (EGY).
Extra
Man: RSA: 2/9. RSA: 4/9
Pens:
Nil
Teams:
SOUTH AFRICA: Dwayne Flatscher, Etienne Le Roux, Devon Card, Ignardus Badenhorst, Nicholas Hock, Joao De Carvalho (1), Dayne Jagga (1), Jared Wingate-Pearse, Dean Whyte, Pierre Le Roux, Nicholas Molyneux (1), Wesley Bohata, Julian Lewis. Head coach: Paul Martin.
SOUTH AFRICA: Dwayne Flatscher, Etienne Le Roux, Devon Card, Ignardus Badenhorst, Nicholas Hock, Joao De Carvalho (1), Dayne Jagga (1), Jared Wingate-Pearse, Dean Whyte, Pierre Le Roux, Nicholas Molyneux (1), Wesley Bohata, Julian Lewis. Head coach: Paul Martin.
KAZAKHSTAN:
Aleksandr Fedorov, Sergey Gubarev (3), Aleksandr Axenov (5), Roman Pilipenko,
Vladimir Ushakov (1), Alexey Shmider (1), Murat Shakenov, Anton Koliadenko,
Rustam Ukumanov (1), Yevgeniy Medvedev, Ravil Manafov (1), Branko Pekovich (2),
Valeriy Shlemov. Head Coach: Sergey Drozdov.
RSA vs KAZ ©Giorgio Perottino / Deepbluemedia
Match
report:
Kazakhstan
leapfrogged South Africa into second place in the group with a dominant
performance that showed no mercy to a lackluster South Africa. South African
head coach Paul Martin was stunned about his team’s inability to rise to the
occasion and it looked it. South Africa won the EU Nations Cup in Odense,
Denmark earlier this year, but by the coach’s admission, it was a terrible
performance. Kazakhstan, inspired by the brilliant play of Alexandr
Axenov, who scored five goals, was never in doubt and the first three goals
from three attacks set the seal on the match. It rose to 6-0 in the second
period before Nicholas Molyneux fired in from six metres, but by then halftime
loomed and Axenov converted extra for his third and a comfortable lead at the
long break. Axenov delivered twice more in the third and South African
youngster Dayne Jagga (18) scored his second goal of the tournament from centre
forward, justifying his USA college scholarship, which he starts in September.
Kazakhstan Sergey Gubarev scored a pair in the final quarter, one on extra and
the other with the biggest counter attack of the week. For South Africa it was
a day to forget and for Kazakhstan, second spot will be celebrated.
FLASH
QUOTES:
Paul
Martin (RSA) — Head Coach
“We
played like amateurs in a professional environment. We’ve worked hard to get
rid of that stigma. They (Kazakhstan) dominated how we had to play the game.
When we got our structures right we forced them into long shots. The fact they
got the ball into centre was unacceptable. We created six-on-five opportunities
but our finishing was unacceptable. We were our own worst enemies; we showed no
fight. One bad game and that was it. It was not through lack of opportunities
(that we lost).”
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