It will be an all-European affair after Croatia, Montenegro, France and Italy earned quarterfinal berths to meet the group winners, who all hail from Europe. United States of America and Australia were denied progression by Italy and France respectively and Romania, after its loss to Montenegro, bowed out of Olympic contention. Croatia, Montenegro and Italy join group winner Serbia as Paris 2024 qualifiers.
How They Went Today
In the classification 1-12 crossovers with winners going through to the quarterfinals, Croatia defeated China 22-4; France led Australia for most of the match, winning 11-8; Montenegro shook off Romania 12-9 and Italy beat United States of America 13-12. In the classification 13-16 semifinals, Brazil beat South Africa 18-5 and Japan rolled over Kazakhstan 17-4 For both winners it was their first victories in Doha.
Match Reports
Match 30, Classification 1-12 Crossovers, United States of America 12 Italy 13
USA was playing without regular captain Ben Hallock who was given a one-match suspension for a red card in the last match. Alex Obert took over his duties.
This was a spiteful match with two red cards dished out in the first quarter, firstly sending Italian Vincenzo Renzuto Iodice for allegedly repeatedly kicking Obert in the head underwater and secondly Dylan Woodhead (USA) for allegedly kicking an Italian while swimming back on defence. It nearly ruined this match as a true contest, but both teams knew the situation at halftime and had plenty of time to rectify the problems.
The first quarter was drawn at three and it went to 4-4 five minutes into the second period before 6-4 thanks to two Andrea Fondelli (main picture) goals — the first on penalty and the second from wide left.
Goals were traded in the third quarter thanks to Nicholas Presciutti on the deep left for Italy and Ryder Dodd taunting Italian goalkeeper Marco del Lungo after a long counter. It was now 7-5 for Italy. Alex Bowen pulled it to within one with a strike on extra from wide right at 3:35. Italian skipper Francesco di Fulvio stood up to score a six-metre, free-throw goal and Daube converted a penalty to regain the one-goal deficit. Fondelli converted a penalty and Bowen fired in an extra-man goal at 0:13. USA gave up a six-metre foul and di Fulvio wasted no time in scoring at 0:05 for 10-8 at the final break.
The Italian lead was nullified in the final quarter as Johnny Hooper and Daube equalised on extra before Edoardo di Somma countered to go 11-10. Di Fulvio repeated his six-metre shot of earlier as his pressure helped crumble the USA wall and on the next Italian attack, a penalty foul was gained and di Somma converted for 13-11. USA went to a timeout at 2:27 for no success on the scoresheet, much like the last few attacks. The match ceased as a spectacular in the final minute even though there was some renewed energy and Bowen (above) sent in a six-metre shot for 13-12. Italy was through to an all-European quarterfinal series.
Match Heroes
Di Fulvio was enormous in the water. His six-metre goals were fired with dynamite. He was explosive everywhere. Instead of a drugs test, he needs an explosives test, like they have at airports. He scored three goals. For USA, Daube had four and Bowen three. USA goalkeeper Adrian Weinberg made 11 saves.
Turning Point
Italy going 7-4 ahead early in the third relieved pressure that helped it keep mostly two-goal margins until the end.
Stats Don’t Lie
Italy and USA shot at 39 per cent and USA converted eight of 14 extra-man chances and defended eight of 11 and still lost.
Bottom Line
Italy was fighting for its life — Olympic inclusion — which USA already had. USA was fighting for top eight — two different pressures.
What They Said
Sandro Campagna (ITA) — Head Coach (above)
On the match:
“I have been in the same position many times before in my life. Overall, it is very difficult. We remain in the championship. We had more stress because we had (to qualify for) the Olympic Games. Now that this aspect is gone, we can play more free. And no pressure. We had a lot of pressure, so for us it was difficult. With this great nation we have achieved more than an Olympic pass. We achieve more experience, we achieve more quality to play in a special game, so I am very happy with the players.”
On a different stress playing the quarterfinals:
“OK, now we have to recover. Of course, it is a different stress. If we want to arrive in the medals at the Olympic Games, we have to pass from these situations.”
Francesco di Fulvio (ITA) — Captain/Three Goals/Player of the Match
On Olympic qualification:
“They were freer than us (Previously qualified for the Olympics). I want to congratulate them because they are a great team, a great coach, great players. It was not easy for us. It was a tough game. We knew it. I’m so proud of my team and now we can rest a bit and concentrate on the quarterfinal.”
Dejan Udovicic (USA) — Head Coach
On the power-packed match:
“First I want to congratulate my players. They made mistakes during the game, which is part of the game; they fight as hell without Ben Hallock and Italy’s a great team. I think that our group was five times stronger than any other group here. Next time I hope there will be a fair draw. They know that we are coming. We just have to continue what we are doing, trust ourselves more and play better. Everybody knows that we are coming.”
Hannes Daube (USA) — Four Goals
On not making the quarterfinals:
“It was a tough loss. Obviously, we wanted to make the quarterfinals. I felt that we didn’t get a lot of calls our way and we still had opportunities. At the end of the day, it’s all about us and we just have to focus on us and keep working.”
On where from here:
“We have to try and reset and win the rest of the games and continue getting better, improve our communication in our team and in the water.”
Match 29, Classification 1-12 Crossovers, Montenegro 12 Romania 9
The winner of this would go to the Olympic Games, for sure. There was so much heat rising off the players, the water temperature must have risen. It was a case of the older, more-experienced Montenegrins against the younger, rebuilding Romanians.
The first quarter was loaded Romania’s way and the second quarter turned for Montenegro. The third was tied…..
Romania started the first quarter and was soon 4-1 up, shocking the Montenegrins. Goals were traded with Montenegro closing to 5-3 behind. Miroslav Perkovic scored the first two for Montenegro. And Kanstantsin Averka scored the last before the first break.
Averka repeated the goal to start the second quarter and Aljosa Macic did the same a minute later and the match was tied at 5-5. Vlad Luca Georgescu scored his second, this time after a timeout. Perkovic steered in his third as he received the ball from his right on the front line. Averka scored from the deep left and Montenegro had a 7-6 advantage and the first lead of the match. That was at 4:00 and there were no more goals in the half.
Tudor-Andrei Fulea opened and closed the third period, the first with an outside rocket and the second from top left. For 9-8 behind. Two Montenegro goals had earlier taken the score out to 9-7.
Aleksa Ukropina opened the fourth on penalty and Andrei Neamtu pulled one back with a cross-cage shot. Vlad Popadic made it two up for Montenegro at 4:28 and two minutes later, Montenegro went to a timeout with the match fine balanced. The ball was lost but valuable time melted away. Romania lost the ball at 1:38, Montenegro gained a kickout and Dusan Matkovic sent the team to Paris with a conversion at 12-9 with the final minute seconds away. Romania shot and the ball went over the sideline, giving Montenegro a lazy attack. Romania had 15 seconds, but Montenegro was off to the quarterfinals.
Match Heroes
Perkovic and Averka with their three goals apiece and Fulea for Romania, also with three goals.
Turning Point
Montenegro breaking from 9-7 in the third and then going 10-8 in the last.
Stats Don’t Lie
Montenegro went four from six on extra and Romania three from five. Montenegro went 48-35 on shooting percentage.
Bottom Line
Montenegro has the team to go well at the Olympics, if it sharpens up some of its poorer elements. Romania deserved to come close, but the youthful team has a great future.
What They Said
Vladimir Gojkovic (MNE) — Head Coach (above)
On the all-important Olympic Games berth:
“It was a game directly linked to the Olympic Games. I think we deserve this and I am happy with that and now that we are in the Olympic Games, I think we have more space to improve.”
Petar Tesanovic (MNE) — Captain/Goalkeeper
On qualifying for Paris 2024
“We did not play very well, but most important was that we managed to qualify for the Olympics. The elimination games, they are always tough.”
On the pressure of having to win to gain an Olympic berth:
“No, I wouldn’t say it was the pressure. I think we are not playing well through this whole tournament from game one, but I hope this will change against Spain (in the quarterfinals). Against Spain there will be pressure because they are European champions and we won’t have anything to lose.”
Bogdan Rath (ROU) — Head Coach
On how well his team played:
“It’s difficult to analyse on the hop like this. We tried with all our possibilities. I want to say thank-you to the boys, as well. I cannot say nothing. They were making mistakes, but they have desire to play. That is our level; we have to accept it. My compliments to Montenegro. But that’s life.”
Match 28. Classification 1-12 Crossovers, Australia 8 France 11
France made the most of its superior foul count to keep Australia at bay and win with an easy margin, displaying fantastic blocking that had the Aussies frustrated. It was the second consecutive world championship win by France over Australia.
It was a tight first half with Australia holding the lead with a goal 18 seconds from time for 4-3. The period was dominated by a VAR decision on a Chaz Poot shot that did not appear to cross the line as it was in the reliable hands of French goalkeeper Hugo Fontani. However, the goal was ruled good and it meant levelling at two, 42 seconds from time. On the next attack Milos Maksimovic blasted from the six-metre line for the quarter-time advantage. Earlier Maksimovic scored the fanciest goal of the tournament, receiving the ball at centre forward from his left and dragging it around his head into the goal for 1-0. Alexandre Bouet, meantime, scored twice for the French.
Thomas Vernoux scored his 16th goal of the tournament and Bouet a third to give France the lead inside the first minute of the second quarter. Goals were traded until 6-6 when Timothy Putt screamed in a missile from nine metres at 1:16. French captain Ugo Crousillat converted a penalty for 5-4 as France took the lead at four, five and six.
Vernoux had his penalty chance smashed back by Aussie Sharks goalkeeper Nic Porter two minutes into the third period and after a timeout, Bodegas grabbed a second on extra, steering in an angled pass off the right-post position at 4:05. By this stage, Australia had two players on three fouls and the foul count against was 11-5. Romain Marion Vernoux converted extra-man attack for the two-goal advantage at 1:04. Luke Pavillard scored off the narrowest of angles from deep right on extra for 8-7 behind, 29 seconds from the final break.
Bouet converted extra for his fourth of the match and 10th of the tournament at 6:35 in the fourth period after a VAR decision said there was not intent in a possible striking call by the French centre forward. An unsuccessful Aussie attack was caned by Vernoux when he swam the length of the pool to score and take France to a near-unassailable 10-7 lead at 5:48. Australia could not get past the forest of arms that France threw up and could not find Lady Luck today. Matthew Byrnes gained a consolation goal from the bottom left at 1:04 for 11-8.
Match Heroes
Bouet was the star with his four goals for France. Aussie goalkeeper Porter was inspirational with 10 saves.
Turning Point
With all the numbers tied to six, it was the two-goal advantage at 8-6 that gave the impetus for 11-7 and victory.
Stats Don’t Lie
The killer statistics was the extra-man count where France converted six from 13 and Australia three from eight — the same difference as the final result.
Bottom Line
France did two in a row to Australia. Both teams played excellently, but France had the edge for most of the encounter and maintained that resolve until the final whistle.
What They Said
Michael Bodegas (FRA) — Two Goals
On beating Australia at back-to-back worlds:
“Yes, we had to confirm our progression. I’m new in this team, but I can feel the atmosphere and the will to compete with the best is still improving day by day and it is a very big result for us to go to the quarterfinal. It was our goal in this tournament. Really, really happy this feeling today, real happiness.”
Looking toward Paris 2024 as a top-eight nation:
“We know it is a step in our journey to Paris. It was important to go to top eight, but we are not really satisfied for the top six like last year, but this is our goal. We will try our best to play this quarterfinal.”
Tim Hamill (AUS) — Head Coach
On being frustrated at losing:
“Yeah, that one hurt. We really prepared well for this game. We played France at the last world championship and we’ve done a really good job scouting them. We were certainly aware that there would be moments in the game that they were going to present themselves. Whatever team did those moments would come out on top . Sadly for us it wasn’t us. I think we missed three extra-man (attacks) in the fourth quarter and at this level, that’s the game. As I’ve said throughout, this one hurts most of all. In the last couple of years, we feel like today was the game we wanted to win. We were ready for the top eight, but…”
On France’s tremendous blocking:
“They did a great job. Defensively they have significantly improved in the last couple of years on defence, and as you mentioned, their blocking. We had some really good looks in attack, both set attack and extra-man attack and, as you mentioned, the French blocking. In essence, it got them over the line today.”
Tim Putt (AUS) — Goal Scorer
On what went wrong:
“We started well. Got to halftime it was even. This is where we like to be. We really like to be in the grind and they kept getting one in and we couldn’t score our extra-man attacks.”
On the French blocking:
“Our plan was to capitalise, moving the ball around and using our good shooters. We moved the ball well.”
On where to from here for the Aussie Sharks:
“We hate losing, but it’s on to the next game now. Win every game we have left and play the best polo we can from now because we still have got our goals to look toward Paris and all that.”
What They Said
Michael Bodegas (FRA) — Two Goals
On beating Australia at back-to-back worlds:
“Yes, we had to confirm our progression. I’m new in this team, but I can feel the atmosphere and the will to compete with the best is still improving day by day and it is a very big result for us to go to the quarterfinal. It was our goal in this tournament. Really, really happy this feeling today, real happiness.”
Looking toward Paris 2024 as a top-eight nation:
“We know it is a step in our journey to Paris. It was important to go to top eight, but we are not really satisfied for the top six like last year, but this is our goal. We will try our best to play this quarterfinal.”
Tim Hamill (AUS) — Head Coach
On being frustrated at losing:
“Yeah, that one hurt. We really prepared well for this game. We played France at the last world championship and we’ve done a really good job scouting them. We were certainly aware that there would be moments in the game that they were going to present themselves. Whatever team did those moments would come out on top . Sadly for us it wasn’t us. I think we missed three extra-man (attacks) in the fourth quarter and at this level, that’s the game. As I’ve said throughout, this one hurts most of all. In the last couple of years, we feel like today was the game we wanted to win. We were ready for the top eight, but…”
On France’s tremendous blocking:
“They did a great job. Defensively they have significantly improved in the last couple of years on defence, and as you mentioned, their blocking. We had some really good looks in attack, both set attack and extra-man attack and, as you mentioned, the French blocking. In essence, it got them over the line today.”
Tim Putt (AUS) — Goal Scorer
On what went wrong:
“We started well. Got to halftime it was even. This is where we like to be. We really like to be in the grind and they kept getting one in and we couldn’t score our extra-man attacks.”
On the French blocking:
“Our plan was to capitalise, moving the ball around and using our good shooters. We moved the ball well.”
On where to from here for the Aussie Sharks:
“We hate losing, but it’s on to the next game now. Win every game we have left and play the best polo we can from now because we still have got our goals to look toward Paris and all that.”
Match 27, Classification 1-12 Crossovers, Croatia 22 China 4
Croatia was always going to be a tough ask for China and the Europeans made sure of their progression in Doha. As the European silver medallist after giving up its crown last month, Croatia, had the motivation, strength and shooting clout to put China away with ease.
Croatia opened with three goals and finished the period at 5-2 with seven different shooters.
It was the same in the second quarter as Croatia rattled in three with Filip Krzic the only double scorer. Zhu Biele broke the impasse for China with a penalty score and then Rino Buric nailed his second on a whip shot on extra and Jerko Marinic Kragic received a long pass up the pool to score two seconds from halftime and 10-3 for his second of the match.
It was Loren Fatovic who scored his second to start the third period and closely behind, China called a timeout and the resulting shot came from captain Chen Zhongxian for 11-4. The hillside collapsed and with it came Croatian goals to Konstantin Kharkov, Franko Lazic, Fatovic for his third, Matias Biljaka on extra and Lazic from the top right for 16-4 at the last break.
Kharkov led the charge in the last quarter with two goals as Croatia stretched the margin to 18 — 22-4.
Match Heroes
Kharkov took out the top award with four goals, followed by three from Fatovic. Marko Bijac was his brilliant best in goal with 10 saves for Croatia.
Turning Point
Croatia going from 4-2 to 8-2 and then shutting the door entirely in China at 12-4 until the end of the match.
Stats Don’t Lie
Croatia threw an incredible eight from eight on extra to China’s two from seven and shot at 71 per cent to China’s 14.
Bottom Line
Croatia has the team to go all the way and certainly challenge for a medal. This match showed that.
What They Said
Luka Loncar (CRO) — Goal Scorer
On what that victory means:
“First of all, we have secured Olympic Games (berth). This is our first goal of coming here, so we are satisfied and the next thing is to go for a medal in semifinals with Serbia. We have to be better if we want to win and then we hope we’re going to level up our game and be better.”
Chen Yimin (CHN) — Goal Scorer
On playing such a mighty team:
“One of the best teams in the world. We learnt a lot from them. We played something good and after two periods we maybe go down. We studied their game via video, their shooting. Also our coach (Ivan Asic) is from Croatia and he has taught us a lot.”
Match 26. Classification 13-16 Semifinal, Japan 17 Kazakhstan 4
This match was much like the last where the first quarter was competitive and then one team swims away. It was the time of Japan and as a side that finished 11th in Fukuoka last year, it is almost galling to be in the bottom-four play-offs. It had the quartet of death, losing to Serbia, USA and by only two to Montenegro.
In the first quarter, Kazakhstan started and went ahead again at 2-1, but from there the scoring died. The highlight for the team was when goalkeeper Temirlan Balfanbayev stopped consecutive penalty attempts by Japan. Inaba Yusuke scored an earlier penalty and then had his second rejected. He swam on the loose ball, passed, regained and scored from wide left for 2-2.
Adachi Seiya had his attempt swatted away 40 seconds later. Japan moved to 3-2 at 1:09 and put the shutters up on defence.
It was a 5-0 second quarter with five different scorers, making it seven Japanese scorers at this stage. Watanabe Taiyo sealed the shooting with a counter-attack goal, still 2:07 from halftime.
In the third, Eduard Tsoy and Kirill Panteleyev scored either side of a Ogihara Daichi goal for 9-4. Tsoy’s goal came 11 minutes after the previous Kazakhstan goal. Japan scored the next four and the teams went to the last quarter at 13-4.
The final eight minutes brought no change for the Kazakh youngsters as Japan rifled in four more goals to close the match at 17-4.
Match Heroes
The undisputed star was Kazakh goalkeeper Balfanbayev with his remarkable two penalty saves in a personal tally of 13. Inaba was the best for Japan with three.
Turning Point
Japan exploding away from 2-2 to 8-2 by halftime.
Stats Don’t Lie
Japan converted three from five and Kazakhstan none from one. Total-shot percentage gave it to Japan 46-19.
Bottom Line
Japan does not belong in this bottom league and will even be a handful for Brazil. Kazakhstan has gained heaps of experience here.
What They Said
Inaba Yusuke (JPN) — Player of the Match/Three Goals
On unaccustomedly contesting the bottom four:
“I wanted to win against Montenegro. I thought we could have passed through the next stage against maybe Italy. Maybe we could have had the opportunity to win against Italy, I don’t know. They’re not strong enough, Motivation? Olympic Games.”
On playing Brazil for 13th:
“Brazil is stronger than Kazakhstan. We must focus more and must try and go the counter-attack more. We must play good defence so, the most important thing is to on counter-attack. Maybe we can make the goal from the counter-attack.”
Rustam Ukumanov (KAZ) — Head Coach
On working with his young team:
“We have come with a very young team and must look to make the next team (generation) from Kazakhstan. Next month we have the Asian championships (born) 2006 and we have many players in this team (five playing today).”
Temirlan Balfanbayev (KAZ) — Goalkeeper/14 Saves
On how he concentrates on the penalty shooters:
“It’s about composure. Only focus on the ball and then you mute everything that is outside, and it’s about composure and focus.”
On what is needed to beat South Africa on Monday:
“The team is very young — 16-17 years old — but the problem is about the communication. More communication will be better for us because they are a little bit inexperienced and not speak a lot during the game.”
Match 25. Classification 13-16 Semifinal, South Africa 5 Brazil 18
From an action-packed opening quarter, Brazil emerged the 5-4 leader, thundered on to 9-4 at halftime and 12-4 by the final break, eventually winning 18-5 and its first win in Doha.
Brazil slotted into a scoring rhythm and where it really did the damage was on extra-man attack. It had an unerring eye for the slimmest of gaps and at one stage of the fourth period had seven from nine. At the same time South Africa was just one from seven. South Africa was getting the ejections, so, no problems there. Brazil was more surgical and had the bigger shooters. Roberto Freitas has a wicked left arm and penetrated four times from the right by the end of three quarters.
South Africa was well in the action in the first quarter, with four goals, including an excellent drive down the left by Jonathan Swanepoel, receiving the cross pass and tipping in for 3-3. Todd Howard equalised at 4-4 with his centre-forward goal where he shot off the post position.
South Africa had a fifth goal disallowed for being after the buzzer, VAR confirming. Brazil had excellent defence and kept South Africa scoreless for the second and third periods.
In the final period, three more Brazilian goals sent the score to 15-4. South Africa’s first goal in 22 minutes looked easy as Manqoba Bungane smashed it in from bottom left. Meanwhile, Gustavo Guimaraes claimed his third goal, on counter. Rafael Real scored consecutive goals to lift his match tally to four with the last on penalty. Alipio Nardaci closed all scoring on the left for his second and 18-5 at 1:39.
Match Heroes
Freitas was the obvious choice as the match’s best player with his four-goal haul and he took home the trophy. Real was also a strong contender, scoring four. Howard was the only double scorer for South Africa.
Turning Point
Brazil turning 4-4 in to 15-4 in a 22-minute tidal wave.
Stats Don’t Lie
Brazil shot seven from 13 on extra and defended six from seven. Brazil shot 58 per cent to South Africa’s 20.
Bottom Line
Brazil deserved the victory as its programme looks forward to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
What They Said
Gustavo Coutinho (BRA) — Two Goals
On winning:
“The first quarter was hard because they had good swimming, they were very strong. It was like 5-4, but after that we made our defence much tighter, we start putting our things together and making our counter-attacks. That’s when the goal scoring went up.”
On the future for this team:
“Right now, I’m like the oldest player in Brazil (32) in the national team. We are working and developing for the Pan American Games in 2027 where we are a chance to qualify to the Olympic Games because United States will be hosting, so the Pan American Games will give the silver medallist a place in the (2028) Olympic Games. So, we are bringing young people and keeping in a few old guys to teach, to learn for the next cycle.”
Manqoba Bungane (RSA) — Goal Scorer
On the strong first quarter
“It was competitive in the first quarter. Our heads were still in the right space. I think we let the nerves get to us a little bit and let two or three easy goals through and that shifted momentum a bit.”
On the frame of mind South Africa will have for the 15-16 play-off:
“Still keep it relatively the same, like this tournament. We’ve understood that and we still have a point to prove and the tournament’s still not over. We still have one more game and we still have 100 per cent of ourselves to give for it.”
Day 9 Schedule
Match 31. 09:00. Classification 15-16, RSA v KAZ
Match 32. 10:30. Classification 13-14, BRA v JPN
Match 33. 12:00. Classification 9-12 Semifinal, CHN v ROU
Match 34. 13:30. Classification 9-12 Semifinal, AUS v USA
Match 35. 16:00. Classification 1-8 Quarterfinal, ESP v MNE
Match 36. 17:30. Classification 1-8 Quarterfinal, GRE v ITA
Match 37. 19:00. Classification 1-8 Quarterfinal, SRB v CRO
Match 38. 18:30. Classification 1-8 Quarterfinal, HUN v FRA