Olympic and world champions take a tumble

DAY 4 MATCHES

Match 7, Group B, AUSTRALIA 8 SERBIA 3 (1-0, 5-1, 1-0, 1-2)

The Aussie Sharks hit rarified air in Parisian waters as they turned over the Olympic champion — currently No 6 in the world — in a match that showed pure dedication to defence while Serbia was struggling to handle the ball and keep Australia from attacking at will. This was not one of Serbia’s best efforts, but for Australia the victory comes more than 20 years after beating Yugoslavia for the first time. In between there have been few chances to rejoice against the Balkan teams, Serbia in particular.

This was unthinkable stuff. To think that four-time Olympian Dusan Mandic could score seven goals against Japan on day one and today could only get two with the first, out of sheer frustration, more than 15 minutes after the start. He scored Serbia’s first goal 56 seconds from halftime. It was an unbelievable first half and Australia heeded no recognition that Serbia had won the last two Olympic Games and that Mandic had three medals. This was superb defence against a great team. The biggest hurdle to the Aussie Sharks progressing in the match was the expulsion for an alleged head butt by big centre forward Lachie Edwards 23 seconds into the second period when the score was 1-0. It meant nothing, it appeared, as Australia went on a rumble that almost sent the Serbian head coach, Uros Stevanovic, into an apoplectic fit as he lamented his team’s poor passes, dropped balls and inadequate play. He was a forlorn sight as he left the pool deck after the match.

The halftime score of 6-1 could be defended, but it could also be overturned, such is the strength of the Serbian side. However, Australia was equal to the task, converted a penalty through leftie Luke Pavillard, gaining his fourth goal, and pushing the margin to an almost unassailable 7-1 advantage. There was still time for Serbia. Except for the magnificent play of Nic Porter in goal for the Aussies and the tight defence that meant the ball did not make the keeper. Both teams took a timeout late in the period, but no change to the score and Australia went into the last period six goals up.

Serbia was still dangerous, although the number of attacks where Serbia could score were dwindling fast after Mandic secured a penalty goal. At 5:54, Australia lost another player to a red card — co-captain Nathan Power — which allowed Nikola Dedovic to accept a cross pass to the left post on extra for 7-3 by 5:49. Four goals and plenty of time for Serbia.

Attacks were thwarted at both ends and then, out of the blue, Charlie Negus disrupted the rhythm with a bast from top left for 8-3 inside the three-minute mark. There was no coming back for Serbia. Australia called a timeout and head coach Tim Hamill called for cool heads and to stop any counter-attack opportunities for Serbia. It was all about preserving the goal differential. A late Nemanja Ubovic shot was blocked and Australia controlled the final minute, despite a turnover, as it had all match. It was a historic victory and one sorely needed to get to the quarterfinals.

Match Heroes

Pavillard with four goals and Matthew Byrnes’ pair were also spectacular coming on counter and then accepting a rebound plumb in front for 6-0. Porter (above) finished with nine brilliant and match-winning saves. Mandic grabbed a pair for Serbia.

Turning Point

With the score 6-0 a minute from halftime, who could lose?

Stats Don’t Lie

Australia managed two from six on extra-man attack and defended six from seven. Both teams converted a penalty foul. The Sharks nipped in 29 shots to 25.

Bottom Line

Sheer brilliance from an underdog nation against one of the best. There were two upsets in women’s play yesterday and Japan showed the day before that it could nearly upset Serbia, losing 16-15. Serbia was there to be injured further and Australia made the most of every opportunity.

What They Said

Luke PAVILLARD (AUS) — Four Goals

On how they were able to overcome Serbia:
"We have our game style. We know we're a fit team. We know we can hurt teams with our swimming. If we can keep teams to one or two goals, whether we score or not, in the first half, we know that's really going to give us the advantage in the second. They're going to be in the red and we know we'll have that advantage when it gets to that stage."

On restricting Serbia to three goals:
"We relied on our system. We relied on our blocks. We relied on our goalkeeper and it all worked out. When you've got Nic Porter in goal behind you and he's playing that well, the blocks are in the right places, the communication is good, it feels like he fills all the holes. Knowing Nic, he's probably going to be harsh on himself with the three that went in.

On scoring four goals:
"I’m happy to be the one to put them away, but we've got multiple guys on the team that on any given day can step up and be the guy that's scoring. It was my role today to do that and I'm just glad I could help the team."

Nic PORTER (AUS) — Goalkeeper

On saving nine shots from 12:
“That number is not a reflection on just me. It reflects our entire defence. For the boys to only concede 12 shots on target against a team like Serbia – the two-time, defending Olympic champions – is a testament to just how good our defence was. They did their job incredibly well. They were all fantastic and I'm so proud to be an Aussie today. I just played a small part. They were the boys doing all the hard work out there. I just float there in the goal and try to get my arms up.  

On restricting Serbia to three goals:
"I can't remember the last time any team managed that. I'm a bit speechless right now. We'll enjoy this win for a little bit and then it's full focus on the next game against France. We're really looking to qualify for the quarterfinals and we now need to get some more wins on the board."

On his Club Natacio Atletic-Barceloneta team-mate Luke Pavillard leaving the team this summer to return to Australia:
"They should offer him a contract worth double after that performance."

Strahinja RASOVIC (SRB) — Athlete

On the loss:
“Simply put, an insecurity crept into our offensive game; their goalie was excellent in defending our shots, and we couldn’t get past him. They used that to their advantage, gained confidence, and won. We tried to catch up, but unfortunately we couldn’t break down their defence and goalie today. And that was the result in the end.”

On future matches:
“We need to mentally lift ourselves up and get ready to continue. This will show our true character — it’s already there. This is all mental, the game is mental. We didn’t miss chances because we don’t know how to shoot, it’s just that insecurity crept in. We lost our self-confidence, but we will recover, I am sure.”

Nemanja UBOVIC (SRB) — Athlete

On the loss:
“We only scored three goals, so we can see the problems we had were with our attack. In defence, we were not aggressive enough at the start and we allowed some of their players the opportunity to shoot and score. That crushed us. We tried to restart in the third quarter, but we lost that game with a big difference. I didn't expect this, but the tournament is long, we need to look at our errors, work harder and keep going.”

Match 8, Group A, CROATIA 11 ITALY 14 (4-3, 2-3, 3-6, 2-2)

After the excitement of the previous match, this was a more dour, workmanlike affair with these two nations well versed in each other’s skills and variations. As it progressed and the swings came, it proved exciting in a different manner. Remember, these two teams played the World Aquatics gold-medal final in Doha last February — Croatia won in penalty shootout 15-13 after the match was tied at 11 — so this was going to be all about class where mistakes would not be tolerated. Italy wanted revenge here. And that it did with a thundering third quarter.

Italy opened the scoring and goals were traded to 2-2 with Rino Buric converting extra for 3-2. Goals were traded again and world champion Croatia was 4-3 up soon after a double exclusion. Former Russian player Konstantin Kharkov gained his second with a power shot off his left arm to start the second quarter and a two-goal margin. Matteo Iocchi Gratta and captain Francesco di Fulvio, with a six-metre shot, levelled at 5:39. The 37-year-old Luka Loncar dragged in a cross pass to send Croatia ahead again. Jerko Marinic Kragic had his penalty attempt stopped by Marco del Lungo and di Fulvio donutted goalkeeper Marko Bijac at the other end for 6-6 at 1:22. The final stages of the first half did not go Italy’s way, having a certain goal lined up bottom left but decided to cross pass to the player on the far post. He fumbled the ball and lost a goal. On top of that, Italy had two players ejected and luckily for it, stole a pass to close out the quarter — a quarter it could have led 7-6.

Italy rattled in three goals for 9-6 to start the third period and goals were traded until 12-9 with Loren Fatovic the only double scorer. The final period started awkwardly with a VAR decision delaying proceedings for some time after Fatovic had narrowed the score to 12-10. However, looking further back, there was a Francesco Condemi shot unawarded from deep left. It was duly awarded and Italy was 13-9 and Fatovic’s goal was scrubbed. Di Fulvio stretched the margin to five on extra; Ante Vukicevic converted extra; Nicholas Presciutti had a backhand 6m shot disallowed (he was inside the 6m, but still pleaded for the goal) and Luka Bukic became the ninth Croatian scorer, on extra from deep left at 1:13. Italy needlessly took a timeout at 0:20 and the match petered out, giving Italy what could easily be called an upset victory.

Match Heroes

Di Fulvio with his four goals and del Lungo with seven saves in goal. Kharkov and Fatovic scored twice for Croatia.

Turning Point

The three goals at the start of the third period gave Italy the impetus for victory. The match had been drawn at two, three, five and six before that.

Stats Don’t Lie

Italy scored eight from 14 and Croatia seven from 14 on extra-man attack. Croatia missed its sole penalty chance and Italy converted its one.

Bottom Line

There are no favourites here, as the first two matches showed. Just desperate men seeking a gold medal and working hard in every match to make that a reality.

What They Said

Francesco DI FULVIO (ITA) — Captain

On the win:
"We are happy about this performance, but we are not thinking about the result. It was more about growing and building on our first performance against USA. We’ve taken one step more, but the road is so long. We haven't done anything yet. We are thinking only about working harder and being focused. I don't remember a lot about this match. It was a really, really tough match. I played a lot of minutes and I'm so confused, so tired, but I think our man-down defence was great. In attack, we played higher, used the wings and we managed to score a lot of goals, which is difficult against Croatia, but we did it."

Loren FATOVIC (CRO) — Two Goals

On the defeat:
“It was a tough game, like we expected. Every game in this group will be like that. Congratulations to Italy, they were better today from the start. We weren't aggressive enough. They scored some easy goals from the posts and when they had the extra player. That was the biggest problem for us today, but this is just one game in the group and there are a lot more games to go. We will analyse everything and try to be better in the next game against Romania.”

Match 9, Group B, JAPAN 13 FRANCE 14 (4-4, 2-3, 3-3, 4-4)

From a one-goal loss to 2023 world champion Hungary to a one-goal victory over Japan. France supplied what the large French contingent wanted — an Olympic victory. From 2-1 down in the first quarter, France drew level at two, three and four by the quarter-time break. It went two down, levelled at six and Romain Marion Vernoux gave France the edge from the left-hand-catch position for 7-6. Japan was on fire with Yusuke Inaba scoring three consecutive goals for Japan that took his team to 6-4.

Come the third period, goals were traded as France went to the final break at 10-9. Captain Ugo Crousillat captured his second goal and Japanese youngster Kai Inoue, whose father and grandfather played for Japan, rocketed in a left-hander at 9-8 behind. Thomas Vernoux scored his first goal of the match to start the fourth period and 11-9 with Michael Bodegas drilled his third from the top. His earlier efforts came from centre forward. This time he found himself alone and had time to score. French goalkeeper Hugo Fontani blocked Inaba’s penalty attempt and Vernoux sent France four up from top right. Japan swam into action with former captain Keigo Okawa and Inaba twice bringing the match to within one goal. However, Mehdi Marzouki redressed that at 2:42. Seiya Adachi sent in a penalty shot and it was 14-13 at 2:24. Neither side could breach the other’s line in those dying minutes and France had the win.

Match Heroes

Inaba was the standout with six goals for Japan, elevating him to top of the scores with 12 from two matches. Adachi followed up with three and goalkeeper Towa Nishimura made 10 saves. For France, Bodegas topped the scorers with three and goalie Hugo Fontani also made 10 saves.

Turning Point

Marion Vernoux’s score late in the second quarter that gave France the edge.

Stats Don’t Lie

Japan had the better of the main statistics with five from eight on extra to France’s three from five. Japan made 35 shots to 29. France netted its one penalty shot and Japan missed two of four. France was more efficient with its shooting.

Bottom Line

It was a second cruel one-goal loss for Japan after losing to Serbia on day two. France lost to Hungary by a goal, so a win by a goal is a big change in a group where five teams have won and four locked on three points.

What They Said

Hugo FONTANI (FRA) — Goalkeeper

On the win:
“We were expecting a hard game against Japan, like always, like against every team. We knew that we would go up and down, that they will score a lot. We knew we would have to defend very well and take advantage of their counter-attack way of playing and do the same. We scored three in a row at the very end, then they scored three in a row, so it was very tense. But we did the job, the crowd was amazing and it was wonderful.”

On the momentum the France team has been building in the past few years:
“We are getting better and better. We know that everybody knows we can play, and that we can win against everybody. So this is a huge force for us. We have worked a lot in the past three years and we are still improving. We lack a little experience compared to teams like Serbia and Hungary as this is the first Olympic Games for the majority of us, but we are in a good way.”

Match 10, Group A, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 14 ROMANIA 8 (3-3, 3-0, 4-1, 4-4)

USA bounced back from its four-goal loss to Italy with a solid, all-round victory over Romania, a team expected to finish in the bottom pairing. It didn’t look that way in the first quarter as Romania went 3-2 ahead and looked like projecting itself strongly on the match. Silvian Colodrovschi scored two immaculate centre-forward goals. However, it went pear-shape as USA levelled by the quarter break, kept Romania scoreless in the second quarter and went to 9-3 before allowing Vlad-Luca Georgescu to rocket in an extra-man goal at 1:43 in the period. It was a long time coming. Hannes Daube netted his third to close the period at 10-4.

Romania was not beaten yet as the final quarter showed. Goals were traded to 12-6 and Georgescu muscled in a counter-attack goal down the right with three defenders smothering him. He drove to the left-post position and snapped in a pass for 12-8 at 1:43. It was the final hurrah as Alex Bowen, who had earlier accepted a cross pass on counter from his captain Ben Hallock for 12-5, slammed in two goals for the icing on the cake and the 14-8 victory.

Match Heroes

Daube and Bowen with three goals each, kept the USA goals coming while Adrian Weinberg dragged down 14 saves. Colodrovschi and Georgescu netted three apiece for Romania.

Turning Point

The 17-minute period that USA kept Romania out while lifting USA’s score from 3-2 down to 9-3 ahead.

Stats Don’t Lie

USA converted five from nine on extra-man attack and defended six from nine.  USA put away two penalty shots.

Bottom Line

USA has the chance to go far in the competition and this was just rewards, especially coming off a four-goal loss to Italy on day one.

What They Said

Hannes DAUBE (USA) — Three Goals

On winning the match, after losing a previous preliminary match to Italy:
“That was the response we needed. We came out aggressive and we were more of a unit. We had a better mentality. There were moments in the game we relaxed, which I don't like, but we recovered at the end and finished strong."

On pulling away from Romania in the second and third quarters:
“We have a lot of depth in our team and we rely on all of our guys, so it just takes time. You're not always going to pull away at the beginning. We expect that – it's the Olympic Games. It's going to be tough every game, so we should continue being positive and just keep going.”

On scoring three goals in the match:
“It was just what the team needed, but without my team-mates, I wouldn't have three goals. They made great passes, great plays, and set me up.”

Max IRVING (USA) — Two Goals

On the win:
“We wanted to show a lot of personality, show who we are, show the resilience we have as a team, and to get the ball rolling in the right direction. It definitely feels good to get one in the win column."

On how the team improved following its match against Italy:
“We stayed more within our own game. We were able to execute on some of the defensive schemes a little bit better, taking away some of their opportunities before they got to the goal. Overall, just the energy that we brought forward to the game."

Matei LUTESCU (ROU) — Goal Scorer

On Romania's performance:
"It wasn't our best match, but I think we will improve with time. I'm not really OK with the result. Our team did not do our best. I think we can do better."

On scoring the first goal of the match, and of his Olympic career:
"When I saw the ball, I didn't think about anything. I knew I would score. My heart was pounding at 180 probably (laughs), and my emotions were at the sky level, but it's a unique feeling scoring at the Olympics."

On why Romania let its early advantage slip:
"I think it was all psychological because we are all very well-trained, but it's our first time for most of us in the Olympics and it's very hard for us to adapt here. The emotions are at the sky level for every one of us, but I think we can (try), until the end of the competition, to adapt."

Match 11, Group A, MONTENEGRO 16 GREECE 17 in penalty shootout FT: 12-12. Pens 4-5 (4-2, 3-3, 2-3, 3-4)

Greece held its nerve to come over the top of Montenegro in a penalty shootout. It needed a perfect shooting roster to better the Montenegrins who now slip to two losses while Greece has two wins and moves into quarterfinal contention. The miracle for Greece was that it led the match for only 57 seconds — 30 seconds in the first quarter and then 27 seconds in the last minute. The match was Montenegro’s to lose, especially after leading 7-4 midway through the second quarter. Greece could not be manacled and responded in spectacular fashion with 4-1 in the dying minutes that gave it the lead 29 seconds from time. Montenegro was not finished and scored a last-gasp goal to secure the shootout.

This was just another awesome match on a wonderful Parisian day. It started in controversy as Greece was scoring a goal — which was disallowed — Vladan Spaic entered the pool from the sideline near halfway thinking it was a goal. Sadly, it wasn’t and he became the extra player — eight instead of seven. This gave Greece a penalty shot and Spaic was out of the match. Vlado Popadic was so incensed he scored a double to give Montenegro the lead at 5:59, something it did not relinquish until the last minute of the match. While Greece made it 2-2, Montenegro picked up two more by quarter time and went 5-2 ahead through Marko Mrsic on extra at 7:28 in the second period. Greece shot back with two more, but Mrsic and Popadic took it to 7-4 before Angelos Vlachopoulos barred in on extra from the point position for 7-5 at 3:38, which was the last goal of the half.

Captain Ioannis Fountoulis scored off extra from deep left — although the official scoresheet gave it to Dimitrios Skoumpakis. Duro Radovic on extra; Nikolaos Gkillas from the top right and Vasilije Radovic from top left had the score at 8-6 in favour of Montenegro. VAR then was utilised to determine that Greece’s earlier goal-scorer Alexandros Papanastasiou committed an alleged violent action and was red-carded at 2:35. At 0:50, Greece went to a timeout and Vlachopoulos scored his second from deep right on extra-man attack for 9-8 down by the final break.

Popadic took it to 10-8, sliding in on the deep-left-hand-catch position on extra for 10-8. Konstantinos Kakaris swatted in a rebound from point blank and Efstathios Kalogeropoulos converted extra to level the score at 10-10, nearly 27 minutes after the previous leveller. Stefan Vidovic converted extra from the deepest of positions on the right near the two-metre marker and Skoumpakis gained his first goal legally with a stunning missile from the top for 11-11 at 2:36. Vlachopoulos was ecstatic after his extra-man goal at 0:29 for 12-1, 30 minutes after Greece’s opening penalty goal. Montenegro took a timeout, sent goalkeeper Petar Tesanovic into centre forward to make a menace of himself and the Greek centre defender was ejected. Vasilije Radovic made no hesitation in shooting off a pass to level with two seconds on the clock, sending the match to the shootout.

Montenegro shot first and Bogdan Durdic hit the top right crossbar. The next nine players all made sure of their shots and Greece had survived for a 17-16 victory.

Match Heroes

For Greece, Vlachopoulos finished with three goals as eight players scored and Emmanouil Zerdevas made eight saves in goal. For Montenegro, Popadic topped with four goals and goalie Tesanovic also made eight saves.

Turning Point

That missed attempt on the first shot of the penalty shootout. The long road back from 7-4 down by Greece was admirable.

Stats Don’t Lie

Greece converted seven from 13 on extra, but Montenegro’s nine from 11 was spectacular. Montenegro shot 30 to 26 and Greece gained the only penalty goal of the four quarters.

Bottom Line

Greece gains two points to go with the three from day two and Montenegro now has one point from two matches.

Match 12, Group B, SPAIN 10 HUNGARY 7 (2-1, 2-2, 4-3, 2-1)

European champion versus 2023 world champion — Euro champion Spain the winner over Hungary. Spain is well on the way to the quarterfinals while Hungary, with one win, needs another to be affirmed in the top eight. This was Spain playing its best with its huge experience advantage over the newer Hungarians.

Alberto Munarriz began proceedings with a seven-metre missile at 3:06, followed by Bernat Sanahuja with a left-post shot off a near pass on extra for 2-0 at 1:21. It was not until the last three seconds that Daniel Angyal converted extra off the left-post position for 2-1. Vince Vigvari equalised at 4:25 in the second period and goals were traded to 4-3 in Spain’s advantage.

Munarriz opened the second half, this time on extra, with Angyal copying his earlier goal, only it needed VAR to make sure it crossed the line. Alvaro Granados converted a penalty foul and finished off a counter-attack for 7-4. Hungary went to a timeout and head coach Zsolt Varga said something strongly, obviously, as Marton Vamos smashed in a six-metre goal and Gergo Fekete amazingly spun at centre forward out to the left post and hammered in the ball for 7-6. Miguel de Toro earned an exclusion at centre forward for Spain and regained the ball quickly to score at 0:58 for 8-6 by the last break.

Speedster Martin Famera drove to the left post to score on the first attack of the last quarter for 9-6. Krisztian Manhercz drilled one from top left for 9-7 at 3:47. After a timeout, Marc Larumbe plundered his second goal with a very deep shot from the right, finding Hungarian goalkeeper Soma Vogel’s armpit to ricochet into goal for 10-7 at 3:02, the final goal.

Match Heroes

Munarriz, Granados and Larumbe netted two each, as did Angyal for Hungary. Soma Vogel pulled in 12 saves for Hungary and Unai Aguirre eight for Spain.

Turning Point

The 4-1 score straddling halftime that lifted Spain from 3-3 to 7-4.

Stats Don’t Lie

Spain converted five from nine on extra and defended five from eight. The big point was the 32 Spanish shots to Hungary’s 21.

Bottom Line

Spain is one of the outright favourites for the crown and showed why. Hungary still has time to rectify its standing and hope to make the quarterfinals.

Progress Points

Group A: Italy 6, Greece 5, USA 3, Croatia 3, Montenegro 1, Romania 0.
Group B: Spain 6, Australia 3, France 3, Hungary 3, Serbia 3, Japan 0.

Day 6 Schedule — Men

Match 13. 10:30. Group A, Greece v United States of America
Match 14. 12:05. Group B, Serbia v Spain
Match 15. 15:00. Group B, France v Australia
Match 16. 16:35. Group A, Italy v Montenegro
Match 17. 19:30. Group A, Romania v Croatia
Match 18. 21:05. Group B, Hungary v Japan