Crossover matches Round 1-12

ITALY 16 AUSTRALIA 6

Italy moved a step closer to defending its world crown, defeating Australia with a highly competent display of skills and shooting. The Aussie Sharks were on the back foot from the start, failing to score in the opening quarter while Italy went through four times. Blake Edwards scored his country’s first two from identical positions on extra-man attack and then traded goals before Italy stretched the margin to 7-3 by halftime. Only Francesco di Fulvio scored twice for Italy by this stage. Italy pushed it out to 11-4 by the final break and put the icing on the cake with a flurry of goals in the fourth. Italy now needs to surpass Hungary in Wednesday’s quarter-finals to make the medal round. Australia makes the return trip to Szeged in its quest for ninth classification.

Match heroes
Di Fulvio and Giacomo Canella scored three goals each for Italy. Blake Edwards top-scored for Australia with three, all from the deep left and the third off a long up-pool pass, which he caught and shot.

Turning point
The opening quarter said it all — 4-0. The Sharks did well in the middle half, but let the match slip away in the fourth.

Stats don’t Lie
Italy converted four from six on extra-man attack while Australia sent in three from nine. Marco del Lungo made nine saves from his half in goal

Bottom line
The Settebello crept closer toward the title and today’s match was another step in the right direction. The Aussie Sharks must have learnt something from today that could prove useful for the rest of the week. The effort today was a far cry from pushing Serbia to a one-goal win last week.

What they said
Alessandro Campagna (ITA) — Head Coach
“We played well at the beginning. We stuck to our plans, what we decided before the game, so yes, maybe that was the key for the victory. In the second quarter we got some goals from counter-attacks. The Australians were successful at their chances, but fortunately in the third period we could continue the preferred type of game. Against Hungary the game will be fantastic, they have world class players, and I think these two teams are the most famous teams in water polo history, so it will be a good match.”
Vincenzo Dolce (ITA) — Athlete
“We had a confident win today. We played similarly against Spain before, playing strong and better. That time we lost, but now we won with a new group of a few young players. The next match against Hungary is important for us and, of course, we want to win. I can’t predict the result, but fans will be with them and that will give them some advantage. After all, this will be a hard game, not just for us, but for the Hungarians, as well.”
Tim Hamill (AUS) — Head Coach
“Very simply: they were too good today. We are a very young and developing team and this match was a big opportunity to learn. In some aspects, I could say I am satisfied with the game, but, of course, after a loss I cannot say that, but the development is certainly encouraging. We came from Szeged yesterday and now we are going back tonight. It will be hard, but it seems more swimming will come, I think, against the Japanese.”
George Ford  (AUS) — Athlete
“We were not so lucky in the first quarter, missed a few chances. I don’t think we just hung around; they were just too good. Obviously, it’s never fun losing; little disappointing, because we would want to be in the top eight, but it wasn’t meant to be today.”

SOUTH AFRICA 2 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 24

United States of America almost had a clean sheet except for the determination of the South Africans not to leave Margaret Island without a goal… or two. USA led 6-0, 12-0 and 17-0 after the first three periods and shot to 22-0 halfway through the final eight minutes. Then Johnathan Swanepoel speared a ball cross cage from the left-hand-catch position for a well-deserved and well-received score at 2:52. Then the unthinkable! South Africa repeated the effort when Ross Stone swam the length of the pool with two USA players chasing, only to score the second at 1:41. Not only two goals but consecutive goals! USA sent in two more to close the score at 24-2.

Match heroes
Chase Dodd (USA) came up with the player-of-the-match award in a team studded with goal-scorers, naturally. Dodd nudged in six goals and Marko Vavic chimed in with four more later in the match. Many of the goals came from counter attacks.

Turning point
The only turn came when South Africa sent in two consecutive goals late in the final quarter, otherwise…

Stats don’t lie
USA was seven from eight on extra and South Africa none from two. All four goalkeepers gained a run in the match.

Bottom line
This was a warm-up for the quarter-finals for USA, who came from a group that included Olympic champion Serbia, losing by just four goals. And the reward for beating South Africa? A tilt against Greece.

What they said
Matthew Ustaszewski (USA) — Assistant Coach (USA)
“I think it was a good opportunity to play in a perfect water polo environment in Szeged and Budapest. We are focused now and ready for the quarter-final. I think the next game will be an unbelievable experience for our guys. We're going to be focused and ready to represent our country with pride, and hopefully it will be successful in the end.”
Thomas Gruwell (USA) — Athlete
“The pace of this game is good for us and the biggest thing is to play with confidence. We did this today and we have to do it on Wednesday, too. In the next game, we should take the match under control, play what we do well and if we do so, the result will be fine for us.”
Vaughn Marlow (RSA) — Head Coach
“It is always hard to play like this against a professional team. They have a college programme, their people play in professional leagues, so yes, the difference is obvious. But my guys wanted to play, so it is a good chance to improve our home programme and it was a good benchmark. It is always special to come to Hungary to play water polo. It’s kind of like playing soccer at Wembley, home of football, so yes, we are coming to the home of water polo to play and we are so proud of that. If we had an opportunity we would come back to Budapest to watch the finals.”
Todd James Howard (RSA) — Athlete
“These games are always hard but we get better and better after quarter to quarter and finally had a goal. We did all we had and at the end of the game it is a good statement and proud to be South African. Scoreline didn’t look very spectacular, but we never gave up and that is who we are, and I am very proud.”