Hungary uses defensive power to handle Montenegro

Montenegro – Hungary 11:16 (3:3, 2:7, 4:4, 2:2)

After getting off to a slow start, Team Hungary wound up beating Montenegro 16-11 in a high-scoring match. This is a much different looking team than the one that won bronze in Tokyo, but the Hungarians still look like a formidable force in the world of water polo. A six-goal second quarter, led by two from Akos Konarik, gave the Hungarians a 10-5 lead by halftime, and the team never looked back.

Game Hero

Marton Levai blocked seven shots for Hungary, including three in the second quarter as well as an additional steal to keep Montenegro at bay, allowing Hungary to pull away. The second quarter started with the Hungarians leading 4-3, but with Levai’s defense, the Hungarians were able to pull away on offense.

Turning Point

Marton Levai’s block in the second quarter, with the score at 4-3 in favour of the Hungarians, led to an Erik Csacsovszky goal, followed by two more Hungarian scores that caused the Montenegrin team to have to play catch-up the rest of the match.

Stats Don’t Lie

Hungary shot 47 percent from the field on 34 shot attempts, while Montenegro was just 35% from the field on 31 shot attempts. Hungary’s goalkeeper Levai out-blocked Montenegro’s Dejan Lazovic 7-4, giving the Montenegrin team a harder time of scoring.

Bottom Line

With new-look teams in March 2022 - Montenegro had five players from its Tokyo roster play today, while Hungary had four, the Hungarians are still one of the top teams in the world in international play. Coach Tamas Marcz has kept the ball rolling in getting this team ready to play, no matter who is repping the green, white and red.

They Said: Tamas Marcz, Hungary Head Coach

"First, I want to thank the organisation and the public that came tonight because it was a really nice atmosphere and a nice advertisement for water polo. It's a real pleasure to have the first international match in the new pool in the heart of Montenegrin water polo. I have to congratulate both of the teams; I feel both Montenegro and my team played really well, making for an entertaining game for the public. Many goals, maybe we can have some critics for our defense. But I think both teams attacked really well with a very fast water polo play, especially with the swimming one side to the other.

"I'm very happy to win; it's never easy to win here in Montenegro. We knew how difficult it is to do this, so we are very satisfied to have done it." 

Tuesday Doubleheader Roundup 

Serbia takes care of business in big win Over Slovakia

Slovakia – Serbia 9:18 (1:4, 3:6, 2:4, 3:4)

On the backs of four goals each from Gavril Subotic and Dorde Vucinic, Serbia cruised to an 18-9 victory over Slovakia. Vucinic was a perfect four-for-four from the field while ten of Serbia’s 13 players scored a goal. For Slovakia, Matej Caraj and Samuel Balaz scored three goals each as both teams will play Italy in group play next.

Spain Overwhelms Germany in Dominating Win

Spain – Germany 16:7 (5:0, 5:0, 4:2, 4:5)

The Spanish team jumped to a 9-0 lead on the Germans midway through the third period, en route to a dominating 16-7 win. Led by five goals from Roger Tahull Compte as well as three from Alvaro Granados and Alberto Barroso Macarro, Spain showed its dominance in pool play, with France yet to play. The Germans had three goals from Lukas Kuppers, but only three total players score, while Spain showcased its depth with six of its players scoring a goal.

Men’s FINA Water Polo World League, European Qualification Results and Schedule

Group Stage

January 18

Group A: Hungary – Montenegro 14:9
Group B: Germany – France (postponed to March 15)
Group C: Serbia – Italy 12:9
Group D: Greece – Croatia 11:12

February 15

Group B: France – Spain 14:11
Group C: Italy – Slovakia 22:3
Group D: Croatia –  Russia 11:9

March 8/9

Group A: Montenegro – Hungary 11:16
Group B: Spain – Germany 16:7
Group C: Slovakia – Serbia 9:18

March 15

Group B: Germany – France

Final 8 (April 28 – 30)

April 28: Quarterfinals: 1A – 2B;  1B – 2A; 1C (Serbia)– 2D (Greece); 1D (Croatia) – 2C (Italy)

April 29: Semifinals

April 30: Final day