Spain scored a flawless 3-0 final quarter to sneak past reigning champion Croatia 11-10 in a riveting gold-medal final of the European men’s water polo championships, and in doing so, stole a first crown in its fourth final. Croatia was stunningly denied its third title in front of an adoring home crowd in Zagreb. Italy defeated outgoing world champion Hungary 12-7 for the bronze medal.
Setting The Scene
The championships were delivered to Croatia by default after Israel had to withdraw because of the international crisis in that country.
It was decided to play the top two divisions in Zagreb and the lesser two groups in Dubrovnik across 13 days. This proved popular with the crowds.
Gold, Finally
For Spain it was a glorious achievement with undoubted star and Most Valuable Player Alvaro Granados (pictured below) adding three more goals to his tally — including the winner — topping the shooters’ table with 21 goals.
Croatia had a strong grasp on the final, winning the opening quarter 5-3, leading 7-6 at halftime and 10-8 at the final break before Spain produced a magical final eight minutes — three goals in the last four minutes with Granados’ flippant backhander from wide right sealing the match — keeping Croatia scoreless and silencing the deafening crowd.
The victory redressed the first-day imbalance when Croatia beat Spain 14-12 in a penalty shootout after the match was tied at nine.
Spain has been knocking on the door in recent editions, taking silver in 2018 and 2020 and bronze two years ago. Its tally stands at one gold, three silvers and four bronzes.
Consolation for Croatian Marco Bijac (above) for being named the tournament’s best goalkeeper and congratulations to veteran Spanish captain Felipe Perrone (38) on spearheading his team with excellent speed and skills.
Just Not Hungary’s Day
In the bronze-medal final, Italy played to its pre-tournament hype with a stunning 12-7 margin over Hungary — a team that fronted with its best seven players left at home — leading 4-1 and 8-3 after the first two periods. At one stage it was 6-1 in Italy’s favour. More pain was inflicted with a 2-1 third quarter before Hungary gained some consolation with a 3-2 advantage in the last. Andrea Fondelli sent in three goals to lead his team with 13 for the tournament. It was Italy’s 13th medal, which includes three golds, and first since taking bronze in 2014.
Like the final, these two teams met in the preliminary rounds with Hungary producing a resounding 10-5 victory, meaning today’s encounter was an incredible 10-goal turnaround.
Minor Winners
Greece rattled through Montenegro 15-10 in the fifth-place play-off with Konstantinos Genidounias grabbing four goals for a team-high 17. Greece had the match sewn up at 8-5 by halftime and closed the final quarter 6-3.
Five-time champion Serbia closed on a winning note for seventh position, downing Romania 18-7.
Happiest Finisher
While three teams were trying to gain access to the World Aquatics Championships, one team was eagerly awaiting a ticket to Paris for the Olympic Games. Unlike the women where the top teams had already gained a berth, neither Croatia nor Spain — the gold-medal finalists — had earned a spot, so the final had an extra edge. Felipe Perrone and Alvaro Granados acknowledge the crowd (above)
Imagine head coach David Martin’s words to his Spanish team at the three-quarter break when two goals down and no ticket to Paris printed. Croatia now needs to qualify through the World Aquatics Championships in Doha next month.
Biggest Disappointment
Dual Olympic champion Serbia made the leap from the second division into the quarterfinals, but could not get past world champion Hungary, losing 15-14 in a penalty shootout (10-10 at full time).
By winning its group in Dubrovnik, Serbia showed that a team at this level is capable of making the quarters, but three easy wins did not prepare it enough to beat an under-strength Hungarian team.
By beating Olympic host France 14-10 in the crossovers, Serbia devastated France’s chances to impress ahead of Paris as it has the host qualification.
Serbia’s fate was sealed by Greece with a 12-10 loss in the five-eight semifinals and it had to be “happy” defeating Romania for seventh position. Left-hander Dusan Mandic was Serbia's best shooter with 19 goals.
The Dubrovnik Connection
By playing groups C and D in Dubrovnik, Croatian fans were enthralled in opposite regions of the country as the top-tier groups, A and B, were staged in Zagreb. Spain took out Group A and Hungary won Group B in a three-way tie with Italy and Greece.
While Serbia was easily wrapping up Group C, Romania also topped its quartet with two easy wins and having to come from behind to see off Slovakia 8-7. Romania went to the crossovers and humbled Georgia 18-11 after being 13-6 at the final break. Romania may have lost its quarterfinal with Spain 24-7, but it was enough to secure a berth for Doha.
The Lower End
France crushed Georgia 12-6 for ninth position, thanks to a five-goal haul from the hard-working Thomas Vernoux, who completed his campaign with 20 goals at 54.1 per cent.
Netherlands came through the 11-12 play-off with a 16-10 margin over Germany, both teams arriving at the encounter with easy semifinal victories. Germany’s Yannek Chiru claimed five goals to be Germany’s best with 13 goals.
Slovakia beat Slovenia for 13th classification 14-10, not dissimilar to their day-two clash — 12-7.
Malta and Israel both did not wish to finish bottom of the ladder in their play-off for 15th. Malta came from two down after three periods to level the match and go to sudden death-penalty shootout, winning 16-15 after 12-12 at the final buzzer. On day four, Malta won their group encounter 13-11.
What Now?
Earlier qualifiers for Doha from Europe were Spain, Greece, France, Serbia, Hungary and Italy. Croatia, Montenegro and Romania gain the last three qualification berths to make it nine from Europe to contest the two-week event next month alongside, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, China, Japan, Kazakhstan and United States of America.
And Paris?
These teams have qualified for the Olympic Games:
France as the host nation
Hungary as world champion
Greece as world championship silver medallist
Japan as Asian Games champion
United States of America as Pan Am champion
South Africa as African qualifier
Australia as Oceania qualifier
Spain as European qualifier
This leaves four berths yet to be filled from Doha. Expect Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and Serbia to put their hands up for Paris when it comes to what will be a thrilling competition.
The race for Paris is on.