Group winners will be decided in Friday’s action and they will advance directly to the quarterfinals while second and third-placed teams will go to the second round.
Final Group Matches
In Group A, Spain won the group, gaining a third win by beating Australia 15-9. Croatia won its second match, downing South Africa 29-6 for second place. Australia was third and South Africa fourth.
In Group B, Greece finished top with a scintillating 13-12 victory over France, who took second place with two wins. China won a thrilling match against Brazil for third spot, finishing at 10-8.
In Group C, Serbia finished off USA 14-12 in a match where USA captain Ben Hallock was red-carded for violence, meaning Serbia won the group and USA ended third. Montenegro took second by beating Japan 13-11.
In Group D, Hungary pleased a huge crowd with a 28-1 margin over Kazakhstan to finish on top and Italy withstood a defiant Romania 16-10 to settle second and third positions.
Match 24. Group B, Brazil 8 China 10
It may have been last match of the day and the last of the rounds — men and women — but it was no less exciting with Chinese and Brazilian supporters abounding and thumping the metal stands.
Brazil had a one-goal advantage in the first after drawing level at one and two. It was Frederico Carsalade who plundered a goal seven seconds from time.
Chen Yimin levelled early in the second quarter and it would be a full period before China could score again. Brazil scored through Gustavo Coutinho on counter and Logan Cabral on extra, which proved to be the halftime scoreline.
Gustavo Guimaraes converted a penalty foul to start the third period and Brazil was well in control, or so it thought. China decided it wanted to be the champion in charge and Chen Zhongxian fired from the top for 6-4 behind. Peng Jiahao was red-carded with substitution so Brazil took a timeout to no effect on the scoreboard. China lifted Chen Yimin on counter and Chen Zhongxian from the left for 6-6 by the final break.
Shen Dingsong and Chu Chenghao pushed the cart out to 8-6 and China was one its way. China had a timeout with no result and Roberto Freitas, who scored in the first quarter, scored twice either side of Zhang Jinpeng’s six-metre, free throw goal. At 2:52, there was hope for Brazil. However, at 0:43, Chen Zhongxian threaded the finest of keyholes down the bottom right when well guarded for what was the winner and 10-8. Brazil shot, but it was saved and time was wasted, giving China breathing space in the crossovers and Brazil going to the 13-16 classification group.
Match Heroes
Chen Zhongxian was the best for China with three goals as seven made the sheet.
Turning Point
The second half after having a team-mate sanctioned, when China went 6-2 for a second half of 7-3. Freitas nailed three for Brazil as five team-mates also scored. Both goalkeepers impressed with China’s Wu Honghui shutting out 11 and Brazil’s Guilherme Barella plucking five from the air.
Stats Don’t Lie
China shot 30 to 28 per cent and converted two from nine on extra-man attack to two from seven. It was enough to secure the victory.
Bottom Line
China deserved three points and its improved play means it has a chance in the crossovers.
Match 23. Group B, Greece 13 France 12
Greece had to keep French superstar Thomas Vernoux at bay and this it did for large periods of the match. Other Frenchmen had to stand up and accept some of the responsibility.
Greece has an all-round team and it showed how to win matches with a real team effort.
France took leads at one and two with Greece having to come back with two quick shots for the 3-2. Michael Bodegas levelled for 3-3 to close the first quarter.
Ioannis Fountoulis, the veteran Greek captain, took his team to the lead with his second goal. Alexandre Bouet levelled on the next attack from very deep left, almost scoring on a right angle, spinning inwards off the far right post. The situation changed when Greece ran in three goals and even had a penalty shot blocked by Hugo Fontani. Andrea de Nardi and Vernoux responded and Fontani did it again, denying Greece another penalty goal. Greece had the 7-6 halftime lead.
Three minutes apart, Greece and France swapped goals and then Konstantinos Kakaris and Konstantinos Genidounias, from the top, took Greece to 10-7. Romain Marion Vernoux pulled one back 11 seconds from the final break and it was game on.
Remember about shutting Vernoux out of the match? Greece didn’t and he scored twice in 42 seconds to level at 10-10. Angelos Vlachopoulos converted a penalty to get Greece ‘s nose in the front. At 3:29, Greece took a timeout on extra and the ball was lost and Marion-Vernoux took the ball the length of the pool to score. Genidounias scored in the dying seconds of possession time with a bouncer from top right off the cross pass at 2:31. Marion Vernoux drilled one from the top at 2:05. Greece shot into the cross bar and France came down and gained an ejection, took a timeout and the subsequent shot went wide right. Greece went on attack, gained a penalty foul and Vlachopoulos converted at 0:51 for 13-12. Bodegas hit the right upright, Greece retained the ball and Greece had survived a fantastic French onslaught.
Match Heroes
Alexandros Papanastasiou (above) was adjudged best in water as Greece had nine shooters on the scoresheet. He was everywhere and made many chances, assists and earning at least one penalty foul. Marion Vernoux was the player to alight the crowd with four goals from four attempts, including that long counter. He scored the last two to give France a sniff of victory. Both goalkeepers were instrumental in the match with Emmanouil Zerdevis for Greece saving nine and Fontani eight for France.
Turning Point
Which moment? They were all turning points. Gaining a penalty inside the final minute was critical, Vernoux’s equalising goals in the fourth and definitely Marion Vernoux’s pair inside the last three minutes. This was breathtaking.
Stats Don’t Lie
Greece was 43 per cent in shooting to France’s 40, but it was the extra-man count that really counted as France went four from seven and defended nine from 13.
Bottom Line
Greece goes to the quarterfinals and France will rue its first loss, but second means it gets a better crossover, in this case third from the other group, Australia.
What They Said
Alexandros Papanastasiou (GRE) — Player of the Match
On only winning by a goal:
“Our first goal was to finish top of the group and we do it. We reached our goal and maybe it was a bit more difficult than we expected, but with a better match we could have made it a bit easier, but OK. In the end we got what we wanted.”
On if Greece is a winning team:
“I think so. We showed that in many circumstances in the last years, but we still have some way to go where we want. We aren’t where we want. I believe that .We have much room for improvement. That’s what we will try and do in these remaining days of the tournament.”
Dimitrios Skoumpakis (GRE) — Goal Scorer
On winning:
“Respect for the opponent, France. They are a very good team. They have made good steps till now but our team was stronger today. We take our result.”
On any improvements to be made:
“We have very much things to improve on and we will watch video and our mistakes and make it better.
Ugo Crousillat (FRA) — Captain (above)
On the match:
“Again we were really, close but we still didn’t win, but many good things in this game will give a lot of belief for the next match and we need to be focused on the eighth final against Australia.”
Match 17. Group C, Serbia 14 United States of America 12
This was a match full of hype and with plenty at stake. For one team it is probably the best chance to win a medal and become the first non-European to make the dais. For the other — as dual Olympic champion — it was a good chance to test its reserves in a quest to make the roster for Paris 24. Bothe sides were tested and the outcome was not what either side probably expected.
USA had the better of the first quarter before a packed house, drawing level twice and going ahead for 3-2 at the first break. Djordje Vucinic and Nemanja Vico scored the first two Serbian goals and Max Irving, Hannes Daube from the top and Johnny Hooper on a counter replied for USA.
Dusan Mandic swam into space on the right and received a cross pass to score to open the second-quarter scoring at 5:11. Dylan Woodhouse on a near-post pass on extra, followed by a Ryder Dodd counter had USA 5-3 ahead in quick time. Dodd scored another for 6-3. However, Serbian captain Nikola Jaksic taunted the goalkeeper from the top before rocketing in a shot and Nemanja Ubovic made the most of a rebound with a shot nearer the right post than midway in front. Daube repeated his earlier effort at 0:41 and USA had the halftime advantage at 7-5.
Irving pushed the difference to three, drilling a shot from point. Then things started turning against USA and not just the crowd. Vucinic received a pass across the front line to score from the left-position and Ubovic drove into two metres to receive and score for 8-7 down. Ay 3:56, USA skipper Ben Hallock was ejected for violence, thus repeating what happened to him against Hungary in the quarterfinals at last year’s world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Mandic converted from the penalty line and USA was a man short for four minutes. Jaksic, Mandic and Radomir Drasovic hammered the nails in the USA coffin to go 11-8 up by 1:41. No further goals came by the final break.
USA went back to full strength four seconds into the last period and Dylan Woodhead converted extra-man attack from the left-post position two minutes later. Serbia was on a roll and patience was rewarded when Strahinja Rasovic buried the ball from a tight angle on the left and Jaksic made the swiftest shot on extra at 4:45 for 13-9. Alex Obert steered in a cross pass from Irving on the far left post for 13-10 at 3:09.
Vucinic received the ball after the timeout, took a foul and sent a missile for 10m into the USA goal for 14-10 at 2:04. USA had several shots and Irving scored an extra-man period from the right for 14-11 at 1:16. Daube scored on extra at 0:37 in a short period with a flurry of USA shots. Serbia had survived while USA will rue another lost match because of a violence foul.
Match Heroes
Jaksic, Mandic and Vucinic all scored three goals and goalkeeper Radoslav Filipovic pulled down nine saves. Daube was USA’s best scorer with four.
Turning Point
Hallock’s red card. Simple as that. The penalty was made and three other goals came in the four minutes of a man down. Killer.
Stats Don’t Lie
Serbia had the better shooting percentage at 52-33 per cent. Serbia converted six from 13 on extra-man attack and USA seven from 15.
Bottom Line
Serbia held its head while USA slipped up when needed most.
What They Said
Nemanja Ubovic (SRB) — Two Goals
On the victory:
“We knew that it would be difficult. USA, it’s a really, really good team, especially after our game with Montenegro. I knew it would be a little bit lower level of aggressivity, but we managed to come back from 8-5 and this is good for our team because the team is still so young. We need some time and those games are helping us to grow together. I’m really happy what performance we had in the group and now we will have three days, not two and-a-half days’ rest before the quarterfinals.”
Dejan Udovicic (USA) — Head Coach
On losing the match, after leading at the red-card situation:
“Until that moment we were much better. We were going in the right direction then we shoot ourself in the foot.”
Ryder Dodd (USA) — Two Goals
On the toughness of the match:
“We started out with a lot of energy. We carried it through to the third and we made some mistakes that hurt us in the end and gradually we fell behind and it was too hard to get back.”
On dominating the earlier part of the match:
We were dialled on everything. We knew what we were here to do. We kinda had a job at hand and I guess we got distracted with all that…”
Match 22. Group A, South Africa 6 Croatia 29
Croatia collected its second win and goes to the crossovers in second place from the group. South Africa, which now goes to the bottom four without a win, managed to make the most of the occasion with a handful of goals.
Croatia had the first quarter at 7-2, won the next 7-1 and the third 7-3.
The first period went 2-0 to Croatia and 2-1 before going 6-1. Then Croatia closed at 7-1.
Three more goals had the margin at eight. After Jonathan Swanepoel converted a penalty for South Africa at 10-3, Croatia poured on the pressure and shot to 14-3 at the long break and 18-3 by midway through the third. Dane Tucker scored two goals (18-4 and 20-5) with the first with a lovely lob and then a tip-in on extra. Loren Fatovic drove in a goal, which needed a VAR decision and Matthew Neser converted extra to close the quarter at 2-16.
Croatia went 8-0 in the final quarter as every field player made the sheet.
Match Heroes
Jerko Marinic Kragic led all scorers with five goals while Franko Lazic and Ivan Krapic netted four each. Mate Anic made seven saves in the Croatian goal.
Turning Point
Croatia turning 2-1 into 6-1 and then onwards and upwards.
Stats Don’t Lie
Wait for this one. You won’t see this very often. Croatia converted 15 of 19 extra-man plays and defended five of eight — spectacular.
Bottom Line
Croatia finished second in the group with two wins, another step toward Olympic inclusion.
Match 21. Group A, Australia 9 Spain 15
Spain and Australia arrived at the match one a win each and finishing second in the group is more attractive when it comes to the second round, where they will both play.
Australia proved a hard nut to crack for Spain as the Aussie Sharks went up twice in the first quarter before the Spaniards went three straight for 4-2 at the break. The margin went to three at the start of the second, with goals traded and Australia grabbing the last two goals of the second period in the final minute. The 6-5 shot by Jacob Mercep was on extra with the first ball finding him and then the net.
Goals were traded in the third period with Spain pulling the trigger first and it was 8-7 at 3:12, Matthew Byrnes converting a penalty. Alejandro Bustos accepted a cross pass on extra to drag into goal and Alberto Munarriz gained his second on extra form in front to close the period.
Bustos started the fourth with a replica goal of the previous quarter and Fran Valera had the match at 12-7, making it four in a row for the Europeans. On the next Spanish attack, Munarriz went for a foul and didn’t get it but picked and shot from eight metres for goal #14 and his third. Mercep narrowed slightly with a penalty strike at 2:51 as the match had slipped away from the Aussies. Spain’s power came through again via Martin Famera from deep left and Pavillard nailed his second for 14-9. Valera quickly converted extra-man attack in the last second for 15-9.
Match Heroes
Miguel de Toro was named best in pool, scoring three goals including an immaculate back flick from two metres to start his triple. Team-mate Munarriz and Valera also scored three. Australia’s international newcomer Jacob Mercep scored three to lift him to nine for the week. Blake Edwards sits on eight goals after his strike today.
Turning Point
The Spanish pressure that broke Australia’s back, moving from 8-7 to 13-7 straddling the final break.
Stats Don’t Lie
Spain converted six from eight on extra to Australia’s two from eight. Overall, Spain shot at 45 per cent to Australia’s 23.
Bottom Line
Spain has the credentials and a more experienced team but the impression is that many learned people around the pool were praising the Aussie Sharks’ efforts.
What They Said
David Martin (ESP) — Head Coach
On whether he expected Australia to play like that:
“Australia today played much better than previous days against Croatia. They were very strong on defence with double centres on attack. Their shooters were very dangerous for us. I think Australia is always difficult to play with them. They are physical, they have players very big with good swimming, but we are happy. We are top of the group and we need to think on the second week.”
Tim Hamill (AUS) — Head Coach
On the team’s improvement from the last match:
“We don’t just want to be competitive. We want to win these games. I think we are playing much better than we were two years ago. However, we want to compete; we want to win and we want to challenge deep into these tournaments. On the back of that we’re disappointed with losing. For us, at the moment, the challenge is to put together four quarters instead of a couple. We can certainly string together really good facets of the game, offensively and defensively, but the next issue for this group is to put together four quarters.
“One of our themes for today’s game was to keep the tension on Spain, both offensively and defensively, and we let them away in defence by shooting too early at times and certainly in our defence we’ve missed blocks and poor choices. We’re getting there and I’m proud of the boys and looking forward to the next crossover game.”
Blake Edwards (AUS) — Goal Scorer
On holding Spain for long periods:
“I think it was an improvement from the Croatian game (lost13-8) . It’s another lesson for us to play four quarters. Were still a young team, still learning to do that. I think it just comes from games and experience for us, but it is easy to see the improvement from the first game.”
On being a normal match against Spain:
“They’re an extremely well-balanced team and you have to be at the top of your game for four quarters. They have some amazing shooters, really solid. At two metres they move the ball very well and punish your mistakes in attack. We were really in the game right up until three-quarter time, or even at the start of the fourth, but a couple of mistakes started to sneak in and Spain were able to capitalise on that.“
Match 20. Group D, Romania 10 Italy 16
This was the big battle for second in the group and it did not disappoint. Any thought that Italy would romp in were thrown out the window, as when Olympic berths are on the table, anything can happen.
Romania stuck to Italy like a leech, had the 2-1 lead in the first quarter before trailing 4-3 after Italian captain Francesco di Fulvio scored off a cross pass after a frustrating period, just four seconds from time. Frustrating? Italy had three attempts at the penalty line, only for Marius-Florin Tic (above with coaches and player-of-the-match trophy) to reject every one, much to the glee of the crowd and the Romanians. The third ended in a corner and a whip pass across the pool made it into the net for the Italian lead.
Goals were traded to 7-5 and Romania quickly made to 7-7. Only a Gonzalo Echenique goal kept Italy aloof by halftime.
Twice more Italy struck and was 10-7. Matei-Ioan Lutescu drilled from the top for 10-8; di Fulvio and Nicholas Presciutti both had penalty attempts and Presciutti did what three of his team-mates could not and that was to convert the penalty. Di Fulvio missed his first (having scored one at 3-2) just before Presciutti’s success. Silvian Colodrovschi pulled it to with two at 11-9 , but that seemed to be Romania’s lot as di Fulvio and Francesco Condemi closed the period for 13-9.
In the fourth, Italy went seven ahead with three goals and the match fizzled as a contest. Romania scored the last goal through Andrei Prioteasa from the right for double figures at 16-10.
Match Heroes
Tic with his 10 saves, which included those penalty stops — a magnificent performance. Vlad-Luca Georgescu scored three for Romania. However, the big force for Italy was captain di Fulvio with his five goals.
Turning Point
The two Italian goals late in the third period that gave it a four-goal lead.
Stats Don’t Lie
Italy went four from seven on extra and Romania six from nine. Italy went 47 per cent on shooting and Romania 33.
Bottom Line
Italy has positioned itself for Olympic qualification by finishing second and Romania is still in the mix.
What They Said
Alessandro Velotto (ITA) — Goal Scorer
On the victory:
“It was a usual first two quarters. It was not easy for us after this tough loss to Hungary (in penalty shootout) for mental energy and to recharge ourselves. This was a good match for us to prepare for the next game, which will be very important for us. “
On breaking away in the last quarter:
“We played good, also the first two quarters, but we missed a lot of easy chances — four penalties — but at the end we were good , I think.”
Bogdan Rath (ROU) — Head Coach
On the intensity of the match:
“It’s a good group. I hope to grow every game. This is the first target to grow every game. If you don’t grow you come for nothing. I’m happy with the impression. We don’t have to stop here because we have a cross with I don’t know who.”
On Romania being back in major contention:
“Yes, we have to because it’s our job and we have to put another brick on to another brick. I think it’s a good group, like not just as players but like men. I think we do a good job, not only here but at home.”
Match 19. Group D, Kazakhstan 1 Hungary 28
Hungary romped into the quarterfinals with a resounding victory over a Kazakhstan team rebuilding after an era of top players retired from the international scene. This might be the team of the future, but against a Hungarian team reigning as world champion, it was no contest.
Hungary ripped through the first quarter 8-0 and added another five in the second for 13-0. Vigvari Vince twice scored consecutive goals. In the second quarter Varga Denes popped up to score his first goal in Doha in his first match. He was a late arrival because of family illness and now has an amazing Hungarian record of 10 World Championship appearances stretching back to Melbourne 2007 — one more than countrywoman Keszthelyi Rita on nine.
Hungary maintained the rage in the third period, scoring another eight with Varga (below) netting twice more while NagyAdam gainied a pair. Zalanki Gergo sent in his third and Angyal Daniel his second.
In the fourth there was plenty of excitement, especially when Kazakhstan called a timeout at 4:09. Some wondered why, but head coach Rustam Ukumanov, had a plan and that was for Alexandr Yeremin to have a shot from the top left, which he did, spearing it cross-cage for the first and only Kazakh goal. The crowd went wild, none more so that the Hungarian contingent. Hungary boosted the score to 28-1 with all field players scoring, including the youthful Tatrai David who finished with two. Both he and Vigvari — player of the match — were members of the world champion junior men’s team and are being integrated to the senior team.
The goal of the match was Vigvari’s goal at 22-1 when goalkeeper Banyai Mark fired the ball the length of the field on to Vigvari’s hand, turning to score on the counter.
Match Heroes
Vigvari with five goals, closely followed by Nagy and Angyal with four apiece.
Turning Point
There wasn’t one.
Stats Don’t Lie
Hungary scored one from two on extra and Kazakhstan none from one. Hungary went 64 per cent in shooting to five per cent.
Bottom Line
Hungary, as defending champion, is rightfully through to the quarterfinals and Kazakhstan, with three losses, is consigned to the classification round 13-16.
What They Said
Banyai Mark (HUN) — Goalkeeper/Five Saves
On mixing it with his more famous team-mates:
“I enjoyed it a lot because this is my first world championship with this team . I enjoyed every moment here. We want to win a gold medal in every tournament. It’s a dream. I trained a lot for this moment. Everybody is my friend. I try to be my best.”
Alexandr Yeremin (KAZ) — Goal Scorer
On his experience:
“We are a young team and there were a lot of things we could not do today. We tried to make more movements and get the ball faster to players.”
Match 18. Group C, Montenegro 13 Japan 11
Montenegro collected a second victory to go with the first match where it topped United States of America 16-15 in a shootout. For Japan it was a third loss and is now confined to the classification series 13-16.
Montenegro began with two goals at a fast pace that left Japan wanting. However, when Inaba Yusuke converted a penalty, Japan was back on track. Montenegro went to 3-1 with a second Aleksa Ukropina goal and Watanabe Taiyo dragged one down from the left post on a cross pass for 3-2 by the quarter break.
Watanabe converted a penalty to start the second quarter with Adachi Seiya grabbing his rebound on counter and slipping it between the arms of Montenegro captain Petar Tesanovic. Goals were traded with Japan in the lead again before Miroslav Perkovic steered in ball at centre forward. Such is the brilliance of Tesanovic, he smashed down an Okawa Keigo bullet from point blank just before halftime, maintaining the 55 scoreline.
Matkovic regained the lead for Montenegro, turning an angled pass into goal early in the third period. Both teams used a timeout with Japan gaining no reward while Montenegro gainied the rebound and Drasko Brguljan scored from the right with the returning player advancing on him. Marko Mrsic converted from the penalty line and Vlado Popadic whipped one away from the top left for 9-5 and in the blink of an eye, Japan was in trouble.
Japan won the final quarter, but trying to get a four-goal differential whittled away was hard as Montenegro kept Japan at arm’s length. Japan came back to 9-6, 10-8, 11-9, 12-10 and 13-11, just 14 seconds from time. Japan’s third-quarter curse proved fatal.
Match Heroes
Watanabe top-scored with five goals for Japan and Montenegro’s Matkovic tallied four.
Turning Point
The 4-0 third quarter that turned the match from 5-5 to 9-5.
Stats Don’t Lie
There were few ejections with Montenegro converting its one on extra and Japan one from two. The shooting percentage was 43 to 38, showing the closeness of the match. Japan kept in touch with four penalty goals to one.
Bottom Line
Montenegro now has a chance to qualify for Paris 2024 while Japan is already qualified as the Asian champion.
What They Said
Vladan Spaic (MNE) — Athlete
On the match:
“It was a really hard start of the match but after we made control the match and the third and fourth period and it was a big win for us because we can qualify for the Olympic Games.”
On the best part of the match:
“We controlled the match on defence because we know the Japanese style of water polo is with a lot of movement and I think we controlled that very well. Some countries did not react good but we controlled it very well.”
Shiota Yoshinori (JPN) — Head Coach
On disappointing losing to Montenegro:
“We had a lot of chances to make a goal but we missed many shots. I think we had our chance to win but we couldn’t make a goal.”
On this being possibly Japan’s best match in Doha:
“This was the best one. This game decided if we go up or down so, if we won this game, we could play crossover match. We knew that. Also, we knew that if we won against Montenegro, they cannot qualify for Olympic Games. This was a very important game for both teams. We were motivated.”
Watanabe Taiyo (JPN) — Five goals
On Japan playing its best match:
“Especially in the first, second and fourth periods we were able to play just exactly as our tactics. We always have an issue in the third period.”
On why there are problems in the third periods:
“In the first two periods we are able to play as always with our tactics, but in the third period we always try to change some tactics a little bit, so therefore that does not work well and our opponents are used to our tactics in the first half and they try to adjust in the third period. That is our challenge.”
Final Points
Group A: Spain 9, Croatia 6, Australia 3, South Africa 0.
Group B: Greece 9, France 6, China 3, Brazil 0.
Group C: Serbia 9, Montenegro 5, USA 4, Japan 0.
Group D: Hungary 8, Italy 7, Romania 3, Kazakhstan 0
Day 7 Schedule
Match 25. 09:00. Classification 13-16 Semifinal, 4A RSA v 4B BRA
Match 26. 10:30. Classification 13-16 Semifinal, 4C JPN v 4D KAZ
Match 27. 12:00. Classification 1-12 Crossover, 2A CRO v 3B CHN
Match 28. 16:00. Classification 1-12 Crossover, 3A AUS v 2B FRA
Match 29. 17:30. Classification 1-12 Crossover, 2C MNE v 3D ROU
Match 30. 19:00. Classification 1-12 Crossover, 3C USA v 2D ITA