Australia took down another giant in nine-time champion Hungary, last year’s world champion, with a last-minute goal for 9-8, having to come back from two down twice. It took Australia to second in Group B with Hungary now third. Spain rumbled Japan 23-8 for top spot and Serbia bundled France out of the competition with a 15-8 score. In Group A, Italy secured top spot with an 18-7 victory over Romania, Croatia pipped Greece 14-13 in the battle for second place and USA confirmed its quarterfinal berth with a 12-7 thumping of Montenegro.
State Of The Play
With one day’s preliminary-round play to come on Monday, the quarterfinalists have been found. All that remains for the top eight teams is to win for advantageous positions ahead of the cross-overs.
In Group A, Italy has to down third-ranked Greece; Croatia needs to beat United States of America for second place and a USA win could secure second place. Montenegro and Romania are playing for 9-12 rankings and both depart the competition following the match.
In Group B, Spain cannot be toppled, although it is facing France, hoping to exit with a second win. Australia faces winless Japan and will need to succeed to maintain second place. Hungary and Serbia clash first up to decide third — should Australia win.
Match 19, Group B, SPAIN 23 JAPAN 8 (4-0, 6-2, 7-4, 6-2)
Spain showed its full prowess virtually to sew up the group, two days before the final preliminary matches. Spain made the most of the front-marking of the hole man to secure a wealth of goals from that position, which delighted Roger Tahull, in particular. Japan fought hard and kept shooting, but each goal was hard-fought while Spain made gaps, slid into holes and worked its magic with crisp passing on the hand and accurate shooting.
Spain went four up with a range of goals, including a missile from Alejandro Bustos. Tahull grabbed his second with a turn at centre to start the second quarter and Alvaro Granados snared his ninth goal in Paris for 6-0. By the end of the quarter, Spain was a handsome 10-2 ahead with Tahull gaining a third and Japan restricted to a shot from 10m and one from the penalty line.
The third quarter was exhausting, won 7-4 by Spain with Bernat Sanahuja, Tahull and Bustos adding to their tallies. Japan converted a second penalty, to Yusuke Inaba; a beautifully executed drive to goal by seven-time world championship player Keigo Okawa, a score on extra to Kiyomu Date and a fantastic Toi Suzuki shot from deep right when the captain was smothered. Two late Spanish goals had the match at 17-6 by the final break.
The exhaustion continued in the final quarter in which Sanahuja scored on extra and finished a neat counter with a flick shot and Granados completed his run with the last two Spanish goals, the second a beautiful drive into centre, accepting the pass and lobbing the goalie. Japan’s goals came on counter and from the right.
Match Heroes
Sanahuja with five goals while Granados and Tahull fired in four each with 10 players making the sheet. Goalkeeper Eduardo Lorrio made nine saves in his three quarters in the water. For Japan, Okawa was a double scorer with six others gaining goals. The two goalkeepers took in nine saves between them.
Turning Point
The magical opening whistle and that 6-0 advantage nearly two minutes into the second quarter.
Stats Don’t Lie
Spain was perfect on extra-man attack with six from six while denying Japan six of seven. Spain shot 37 times to 28 while Japan converted both its penalty fouls.
Bottom Line
Spain is top of the group with five straight wins and Japan is still winless and will fill one of the two bottom berths and leave Paris as it has lost to the two teams ahead of its — France and Serbia — both by a single goal.
What They Said
Bernat SANAHUJA (ESP) — Four Goals
On the win:
“We knew that Japan have been showing high-level performances here. As we saw in their first few games, they were competing until the very end. We knew we had to start really strong, both in attack and defence, and I think we did both today. We knew that we had to win this game to win the group."
On his five goals in the match:
“I’m happy to score the five goals, but I couldn’t have done anything without the support of my team-mates around me. We now look forward to the quarterfinals, which will be another world. Everything can happen, so we have to focus on our game.”
Kai INOUE (JPN) — Athlete
On the loss:
“Spain's one of the best teams in the world and playing against them is always a pleasure. We missed a lot of our shots, but I think they just outsmarted us. They played very well. We needed to speak more, talk during the game more, more communication. That was something we missed today.”
Match 20, Group A, CROATIA 14 GREECE 13 (3-3, 1-3, 7-3, 3-4)
World champion Croatia dominated the second half 10-7 in a scrappy, foul-laden match in which Croatia came through a violence foul in which it played a man down for four minutes in valiant fashion. Greece also suffered a red card to one of its players and Croatia gained another late in the encounter, but both of these were with substitution. Greece, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist, could not crack the nut in the second half and lost its top ranking in Group A to Croatia with one more day of preliminary action on Monday.
Greece started the scoring on extra, but Loren Fatovic, son of the famed Elvis Fatovic who played the Sydney and Athens Olympics for Croatia, and five-time Olympian Maro Jokovic (36) had Croatia 2-1 ahead. Toni Popadic, having a start in the Croatian goal, blocked an Angelos Vlachopoulos penalty attempt. Luka Loncar (37) and at his third Olympics, tipped the ball on to the left post on extra for 3-1. Dimitrios Genidounias made sure of the penalty shot and Alexandros Papanastasiou, whose father, Anastasios Papanastasiou, was a four-time Olympian until Atlanta 1996, screamed one in from the left-hand-catch position for 3-3 at 1:14, which was the quarter-time score. Marko Zuvela hit the crossbar on penalty early in the second quarter. Greece scored twice on extra with captain Ioannis Fountoulis, in his fourth Olympics, drilled from the top on extra at 1:49. Konstantin Kharkov, the former Russian player, left-handed in a shot from the right to bring it to 5-4, however, Vlachopoulos bounced one in from the top on extra with only four seconds left on the halftime clock for a 6-4 Greek advantage.
Jerko Marinic Kragic made a name for himself in the third period, scoring twice either side of a butchered Fountoulis penalty attempt for 6-6. Instead of going two up, Fountoulis let the ball slip from his hand on the shot, which has happened a handful of times in Paris. Papanastasiou rocketed in from the top and Fatovic repeated the dose after a fake pass for 8-8 at 4:30. Ante Vukicevic regained the lead for Croatia with a cross-cage shot from deep right. Greece took a timeout at 2:23 to no benefit on the scoreboard but regained the ball on a turnover foul and sent the ball to Dimitrios Nikolaidis at centre who grabbed, turned and shot a beautiful goals for 9-9. Luka Bukic soured the celebrations with a score from wide left on action and Marinic Kragic converted extra from the top right for 11-9 , five seconds from the third-quarter buzzer. Croatia had just won the period 7-3.
Luka Bukic (30) won the swim-up and he is another from a water polo family with father Perica Bukic a three-time Olympic medallist. Sadly for Croatia, Matias Biljaka was ejected for a violence foul (the old brutality call), gifting a penalty shot and four minutes on extra to the Greeks. It did not go well for the Greeks as Fatovic scored while a man down and Dimitrios Skoumpakis converted, but that meant no benefit to Greece in those four minutes. Croatia was back to a full complement when Argyropoulos was ejected for an alleged kick, but with substitution. Kalogeropoulos equalised on the next Greek attack at 4:08. Kharkov made it three for him to lift Croatia to 13-12. Croatia called a timeout and set Kharkov for the shot, which he converted the extra for 14-12 just inside the two-minute mark. Fatovic allegedly struck Papanastasiou in the face and was red-carded at 1:28.
There was no goal for Greece, but it did come through Vlachopoulos, in his third Olympics, converting the extra play from the bottom right for 14-13 at 0:46. Greece regained the ball off Croatia, went to a timeout at 0:10, and subsequently, Papanastasiou’s pass to his team-mate was intercepted by Croatia and the match was over with Croatia taking the honours.
Match Heroes
Kharkov was on fire with four goals, backed up by Fatovic and Marinic Kragic with three apiece for Croatia. Popadic finished with nine saves. For Greece, five players scored a pair of goals.
Turning Point
Greece going 5-3 up in the second quarter and Croatia winning that third period. The violence foul did not have an effect on the scoring, which was credit to Croatia.
Stats Don’t Lie
Croatia converted six from 12 on extra and Greece seven from 13. On penalties, Croatia missed its one chance and Greece probably rued the two missed attempts from four, which could have made a difference to the result.
Bottom Line
Croatia is world champion, from this year. Greece is a classy act and will rebound in the quarterfinals, for sure.
What They Said
Ioannis FOUNTOULIS (GRE) — Captain And Two Goals
On the loss:
“We were playing with a very good team, the world champions. We started really well, but our third quarter was a disaster. We gave up many goals, they came back and they took the lead. I thought this game in the end was disgusting to watch because everywhere was fight(ing), and the referees wanted to be the protagonists instead of the players.
“We lost by one goal, we had some chances to take the game. We continue. It's not the end of the tournament. We have the most important games in front of us. It's what happened and we can only learn from this. It's not the most important game of the tournament. We have one more big game against Italy and we will try to finish as high as possible in the group.”
On taking part in the Olympic Torch ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens before the flame travelled to Paris:
“This has left me a mark in my heart, in my mind. It was one of the biggest honours in my life. I will always remember this moment. It was first of all an honour for the team, for what we did in Tokyo (2020 Olympic Games, winning the silver medal). And because I am the captain of the team, I got to light up the Torch before it travelled here to the Olympic Games in Paris. I’m telling you, I was thrilled. A lot of emotions. I was really proud, my family was there and saw it, and it is a memory I will always carry with me all my life.”
On the Paris 2024 water polo tournament so far:
“The water polo here so far proves that it is one of the most beautiful sports. The quality of the players of all the teams is really high. We have eight or nine teams that can go for the gold medal and I believe this competitiveness gives a lot to our sport.”
On how water polo has shaped his life:
“Like every other athlete that has dreams to go to the Olympics, to take a medal, our sport is our whole life. It's the biggest part of our life — the routine, every-day training, struggling, fighting with ourselves to be better, to strive for our personal goals. Every time you need to surpass yourself.
“Water polo is really hard — it's one of the most demanding sports. When you get into water polo, you fall in love with it. You do whatever is needed to be the best, so you can achieve all your dreams.
“Before Tokyo, I was saying I had a dream of winning an Olympic medal, the first one in our country’s history (for men’s water polo), so you understand how important it was. But when you get so close to the gold, a new need is born, and you need to try one more time to achieve that. I don't know if we will do it, but we are here to fight, to show our powers, to go as high as possible.”
Match 21, Group B, AUSTRALIA 9 HUNGARY 8 (2-2, 2-3, 2-2,3-1)
Australia pulled off one of the matches for the ages and probably its most stunning heading back to 1948 when it first entered Olympic competition. Hungary had won 10 of the last 12 matches between the two, but today all that changed as the Aussie Sharks ripped the heart out of the nine-time champion to secure victory with a 3-1 final quarter and the winning goal in the final minute.
Hungary has the better all-time record against Australia, but the Aussie Sharks were hoping to change that today. Hungary is currently ranked seventh and Australia 11th. Hungary made the play with the go-ahead goals through Krisztian Manhercz on extra with Blake Edwards replying from very deep left. Gergo Fekete pushed it out to 2-1 from the top left and Luke Pavillard converted a penalty foul at 1:40 for 2-2 by the first break. Chaz Poot, who secured the winning goal against France, won the swim-up and on the next attack slams in a long shot to give the Aussie Sharks a 3-2 advantage. Milos Maksimovic made it 4-2 with a helicopter shot from the top, first faking twice and spinning his back to goal and launching a backhand in one fluid motion. Hungary took a timeout and stern words from head coach Zsolt Varga, threw in three straight goals to take a 5-4 advantage into the second half. Five-time Olympian, gold and bronze medallist Denes Varga slip in and tip in a high pass; Manhercz scored from his favoured deep-left position and Gergo Zalanki ripped in a six-metre shot, 16 seconds from the buzzer.
Blake Edwards opened the third period, receiving a pass from his younger brother Lachlan Edwards to the bottom left, also Blake’s favoured position. Manhercz and Adam Nagy from the top edged Hungary out to 7-5. Australia called a timeout at 5:12 and after a rebound, Maksimovic scored his second for 7-6 down at 4:44. Despite plenty of attention on the goalkeepers, neither side could break through. Both Soma Vogel (HUN) and Nic Porter (AUS) were playing at their best and making the saves that counted with Porter on seven saves by this time and Vogel six.
Hungary had the first extra-man chance and turned it into a penalty foul, which Manhercz made sure of for 8-6. Nathan Power steered in an extra-man shot off the left-post position for 8-7 down at 6:10. Next attack and Marcus Berehulak shot at the end of possession time and the rocket found the net from well outside the point position. It was 8-8 at 3:53. Hungary missed what appeared were easy chances, hitting the post and having another blocked. The ball then found co-captain Power at centre forward and he made a perfect turn-and-shoot motion and found the net past Vogel. Uproar. Australia had the lead at 0:46. Hungary went to a timeout, gained an exclusion on the hard-working Lachlan Edwards — his third. The passing was hesitant and finally youngster Vince Vigvari stood up and had his shot blocked. Porter controlled the ball and sent it up the right as time elapsed and Australia had a third straight victory and second rank in the group. More importantly for Australia, it cemented a quarterfinal berth.
Match Heroes
Power and Edwards, the co-captains, with their pairs, along with Maksimovic’s double, especially with that helicopter shot. Porter with eight saves and his sheer presence in the goal make him a huge threat as he has stolen the show in Paris. Manhercz was Hungary’s best with four goals.
Turning Point
Australia going 4-1 ahead; Hungary making it 5-4 and 7-5; Hungary going 8-6 and the biggest of all, Australia scoring the last three,
Stats Don’t Lie
Australia converted two from nine but stopped 10 from 11 on extra-man attack Both converted a penalty foul and Australia’s victory was composed of 22 shots to 29.
Bottom Line
Australia has improved incredibly since Doha, mainly in the mind department where belief is everything. It has scrubbed Olympic champion Serbia, world No 4 France and now last year’s world champion Hungary. Japan is the next opponent.
What They Said
Tim HAMILL (AUS) — Head Coach
On his pride at the team's win:
“We've been incredibly proud of this group for a long time. My degree of pride hasn't changed over the last few days because I've always held this group in very high esteem. This is shaping up as a very special tournament for us.”
On how the team is progressing at Paris 2024:
“Even though we lost to Spain on day one, we were actually happy with how we played. Then we backed it up with a win over Serbia, then France, now Hungary, so it's been a very special tournament for us thus far, but this group is looking for some more.”
On his team’s excellent defence:
“Our focus has been on defence. For the last couple of months, we've made some subtle changes to our defence, which really helped us throughout this tournament. Playing against any Hungarian team, we know the firepower they have – they possess 10 or 11 of the best shooters in the world. We always knew it was going be a real challenge to defend against such a great team. We were leaking too many goals prior to the Olympic Games, so we revisited some of our systems and plays and made some changes, and they are working.”
On reaching the quarterfinals:
“We'll be happy with this win, but this group is searching for more. It's been a long time since Australia played in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games — it was 2012 —so we've achieved something that hasn't been done for 12 years.”
Marcus BEREHULAK (AUS) — Goal Scorer
On the victory:
"It's amazing. This group of players is incredible. The energy we feed off each other... we rose step by step. We feel like we can take on the world now. It's a special group of players. I'm really happy to be a part of it and I'm excited to see where we go from here."
On qualifying for the quarterfinals:
"This is what you dream of. Coming to the Olympics, you go to win gold and to have the opportunity to fight for that in the quarterfinal is the most special feeling in the world.”
On scoring his first Olympic goal:
"That was really special. I'm happy any time I make a difference to the team. I'm just happy I'm doing my role and I thought I executed that pretty well."
On Nathan Power's match-winning goal in the last minute of the match:
"He is amazing. I have looked up to him for a really long time and to play alongside him in the last two years is incredible. He's one of the captains and one of the hearts of the team. It's amazing to have a player of his quality and experience.
On being born in Brisbane, host city of the 2032 Olympic Games:
"Making the Olympics was a childhood dream of mine, but to play in my home town... right now it's top of my bucket list. That's definitely a goal I have – to make the 2032 Olympics. Right now, I'm focused on trying to win a medal with these boys here."
Nic PORTER (AUS) — Goalkeeper
On the win:
“I’m running out of words to describe this team at this tournament. We’re just overjoyed again. I probably wouldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams that we'd win this one, but I've got to start believing in this team a bit more because we keep running out these results. You hear all the talk about the game beforehand and there's no one giving us any chance to win. But the belief in this team right now is incredible. You can see it in the way we play.
“We had some really difficult moments in that game, going down by two goals on two occasions, and we clawed our way back against the world champions from last year. To do that at the Olympics, I am speechless."
On the team’s excellent defence:
“Everyone in defence is going crazy at the moment and that makes my job as a goalkeeper a lot easier. Hungary have weapons all around the pool and we had to play out of our skins to even get close to them today. Our defence was exceptional once again. In our team, we always think defence first. You can see that attitude in the way we defend, like Blake Edwards putting his head on the line to make a block.”
On saving a shot with his head himself:
“I’m still a bit dizzy from that one, my eyes feel like they're a bit cross-eyed, but it's part of the game. You’ve got to get anything you can behind the ball. I’ll do anything to stop a ball going in for these boys on my team.”
Krisztian MANHERCZ (HUN) — Four Goals
On the result:
"Of course, it's a really bad result for us. They (Australia) have proved in the previous games against Serbia and France that they are a really good team and they have big goals in this tournament. So, for us, it hurts, but we need to try to develop from this form because we made too much (many) mistakes in the last three quarters."
On Hungary’s hopes for making the quarterfinals:
"We have one more game, against Serbia (on Monday). We will be better that time."
Match 22, Group A, MONTENEGRO 7 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 12 (1-4, 1-3, 4-3, 1-2)
USA powered into the quarterfinals with a brilliant showing against Montenegro, shutting the Europeans out early and maintaining the momentum throughout. It meant the end of Montenegro’s campaign, or at least after Monday when the final matches of the groups are played.
Ryder Dodd opened proceedings and Hannes Daube started his big haul with two goals for 4-1 at the first break. Captain Ben Hallock exploded into the second quarter from centre forward for 5-1 before Vasilije Radovic responded. Daube sent in the first of three penalty goals and Hallock was at it again at 4:00, taking USA out to 7-2. Neither team could reap another goal before halftime.
Montenegro awoke in the third quarter, firing in three goals with two from Marko Mrsic and one from Bogdan Durdic, all on action and bringing the margin to two. Daube, on penalty, and Durdic traded goals before Alex Obert and Ryder Dodd converted extra-man plays for 10-6. Montenegro took a timeout to no effect. Daube opened the final quarter on penalty and Durdic replied. Max Irving sent in his second goal at 3:59 and soon after Dylan Woodhead was red-carded with substitution. USA went to a timeout at 0:39, just to settle the team, but could not convert a goal and finished five up.
Match Heroes
Daube blasted in five goals — including all the penalty shots — lifting his tally to and equal-third 12 in Paris and goalkeeper Adrian Weinberg was in sparkling form with 13 saves for USA. Durdic was Montenegro’s best with three goals.
Turning Point
Shrugging off 1-1 and going 5-1 ahead, that Set USA up for victory.
Stats Don’t Lie
USA went three from 10 on extra and blocked all nine of Montenegro’s. USA scored three from three on penalty, which also helped build up the winning margin.
Bottom Line
It was do-or-die stuff with the winner heading to the quarterfinals and the loser to the stands or an early flight home.
What They Said
Dejan UDOVICIC (USA) — Head Coach
On the win:
“We successfully convinced our players that how Montenegro performed in their first three games didn't mean anything, so we worked on our format and it worked. Our goal is right now to try to avoid fourth place in the group (A) and get a good result against Croatia (on Monday in their final preliminary game). We played against Spain (who top group B) in Tokyo in the quarterfinals (and lost), and they're in the best form here.”
Alex BOWEN (USA) — Athlete
On the win and reaching the quarterfinals:
“It feels great, it's huge, a huge weight off the back. We played probably our best water polo so far and it's very exciting to stay alive. We knew what was at stake in this game. We didn't make the quarterfinals in Rio (2016) and that still haunts me. We want that challenge. We're playing to our potential now and we've finally got the train rolling. So here we go.”
On restricting Montenegro to no goals on extra:
“Our shot blocks were incredible. We stuck to the game plan and we surprised them a little. It shows the heart of the team when you play a five-man defence like that in a decisive match to clinch the victory. We came out with a lot of energy and we made use of our opportunities right away and that all comes down to the defence.”
Hannes DAUBE (USA) — Five Goals
On the importance of the win after the defeat to Greece in its previous match:
“We bounced back, it was a must-win situation. We stayed level-headed throughout the entire game and we came out really strong and just continued that. So, I'm really proud of my team.
On restricting Montenegro to no goals on extra:
“We had a different game plan, so credit to our coach. We just executed it and it was down to every one of our players having some big blocks.”
On qualifying for the quarterfinals:
“We're not focusing on the quarterfinals just yet, we're focusing on the Croatia game (on Monday). We need to continue to improve, look at the details, and stay in a good rhythm.”
Chase DODD (USA) — Athlete
On whether his synergy with Ryder DODD as siblings gives them any advantages individually in the pool:
"I think it does (because) we know each other pretty well. The best phrase to describe us is: 'I know what he's going to do before he knows what he's going to do, and vice versa'."
Ryder DODD (USA) — Two Goals
On whether he and Chase DODD are rooming with each other at the Paris 2024 Athletes’ Village:
"We are not. I would say it's a good thing. I mean, obviously, when you're spending time with your brother too long, there might be a few fights. So, I think it's good for us to spend a little bit of time away from each other, especially when we are living with each other at home.”
On the prospect of playing in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics water polo competition in Long Beach, their home town:
"It's amazing; to play in our home town at the next Olympics — it's going to be incredible. Obviously, we are going to have many family members there, too. So, it will be really nice to have it at our home place (and) to be able to perform."
Petar TESANOVIC (MNE) — Goalkeeper
On the result:
"This (was) our worst game in this tournament by far compared to the last (previous) games. When it was time to play one more game and win and go to (the) quarterfinals, we collapsed. It's for sure a mental problem because we played more or less good games against teams where they were favourites. But in this game, where we were favourites, we lost by five goals."
Match 23, Group B, SERBIA 15 FRANCE 8 (4-2, 4-2, 4-2, 3-2)
It was a sad day for French fans as their team failed to make it to the quarterfinals. It was a grand day for Serbia, back at its best after that disastrous 8-3 loss to Australia earlier in the week. For Serbia, losses to Spain and Australia meant it fills third place in the group with a chance on Monday to improve that situation.
It was scoring wizard and four-time Olympian Dusan Mandic who ticked over the scoreboard first as Serbia went 2-0, 3-1 and 4-2 by the first break. France scored twice on extra. Strahinja Rasovic opened the second quarter on penalty for his second goal and Petar Jaksic moved into the left-post position and backhanded an air ball for 6-2. Mehdi Marzouki scored from deep right for 6-3 before Mandic and Radomir Drasovic brought it to 8-3. Marzouki grabbed another from the top left for 8-4 at the turn.
Michael Bodegas with a left-post backhand on extra and captain Ugo Crousillat on penalty brought the margin to two. Serbia wanted none of that and put away four by the final break with Nemanja Ubovic claiming the last two. The 11-6 goal was a pitter-patter five passes between him and Drasovic in front of goal. It was a real hot potato. Nikola Dedovic opened the fourth when Crousillat went for his third major foul. A French timeout worked wonders with Romain Marion Vernoux converting for 13-7. Milos Cuk on extra; Thomas Vernoux from the top and Drasovic for his second, from a six-metre foul, slid the ball into goal for 15-8 to close the scoring at 1:58.
Match Heroes
Radoslav Filipovic made 11 saves in goal for Serbia while pairs were scored by Mandic, Strahinja Rasovic, Drasovic and Ubovic. Vernoux and Marzouki were double scorers for France and Hugo Fontani dragged down nine shots in goals.
Turning Point
The ease with which Serbia made it to 8-3; France’s three-goal bid with 8-6 and then Serbia’s five-goal haul for 13-6.
Stats Don’t Lie
Serbia nailed five from six on extra and shut down six from 10. It scored both penalty attempts and France converted its one.
Bottom Line
Serbia is not the Olympic champion for nothing and it showed that past poor matches are behind it. Sadly, for France, it bows out at home with one win to date.
What They Said
Nikola JAKSIC (SRB) — Captain
On a strong performance from his team:
“We had the same intentions for the previous three games as well, but we couldn't manage to do it. Today, we played well, not as well as we want to play, but a lot better than the previous games. If we played like this in those games, we would be in a lot different situation.
“We managed to win, which is the most important thing, and qualify for the quarterfinals, but this doesn't change anything. We need to improve our game even more if we want to do what we came here to do.
“It was really difficult, but I'm really proud of my team and I want to congratulate them for their mental strength — how we lifted ourselves up after the two losses against Spain and Australia. We managed to show we are still here and we are competing with the rest of them, and I hope we will just continue this way and not stop, and continue to improve with every game.”
On struggling in the group phase:
“Apparently, we have to struggle all the time. It's never easy, but I hope it finishes as the two previous Olympics finished (with gold). I honestly think this is the path we were supposed to take, but we're not there yet, and we need to improve even next game against Hungary.”
Dusan MANDIC (SRB) — Two Goals
On the comprehensive victory in a must-win match:
"After a game like this, it's nice to speak. It's a much better feeling (than how it was after the defeat to Spain). Today we really demonstrated what we want to do in the whole tournament, especially after this game (and) every next one (that follows). This is how we want to present ourselves. A game like this, a defence like this, a team spirit like this — when you see this, you must be inspired. Whoever is watching, I think it's inspiring."
On whether this was Serbia's best performance at Paris 2024 so far:
"Yes, this was our best match so far. I hope we will see one more, or much more, like this match."
On the team’s defence:
"Our defence was very good today, I must say, because defence is in our tradition, and we show our character through our defence. We did it today. We fought from the very first moment and we continued to play (that way) for the whole match, which is very important. We didn't stop. OK, we had two minutes in the third quarter where they (France) came back with two goals, but we responded with four in a row, so we got the situation under control again."
Florian BRUZZO (FRA) — Head Coach
On the end of France’s hopes of making the quarterfinals:
"We discussed we cannot be so angry or disappointed. They were too good for us. They deserved to win; we didn't deserve to win, so on this game, no questions. On the whole tournament, we have some regrets regarding the game against Australia. That's it. We learned a lot during this tournament. Unfortunately, we are out. This audience was amazing for us, and I hope for water polo, it's a good outcome."
On the main reason why France could not make the quarterfinals:
"It's like a puzzle, so it's not only one thing. But emotionally, we didn't manage to handle this situation. We should be carried by this wave, but finally it was just weight on our shoulders. This is the main regret that we have in this tournament because we didn't show the best face, and we would have liked to show the best face in the biggest tournament and the biggest event."
Thomas VERNOUX (FRA) — Two Goals
On the loss, which ended France’s hopes of making the quarterfinals:
“We didn't play very good at all. It's the end for this team (in this tournament). We had a really good hope that we could go very far. Now it's over. We still have a (group) game against Spain (on Monday), so we'll try to end it on a good note. We're not in the quarterfinals, so it's a big disappointment, for us, for the public.
“It's really hard to take now, but there is a world championships next summer and we will be there, for sure. There will also be more Olympics for us, just not in France. We have to get over this."
Match 24, Group A, ITALY 18 ROMANIA 7 (6-2, 4-1, 5-1, 3-3)
In Sandro Campagna’s 500th match in control of an Italian team, his players delivered the victory that kept the team top of the group and settling in ahead of the quarterfinals. For Romania, it was confirmation that it would not participate in the quarterfinals.
Italy was always going to be the frontrunner and moved from 1-1 to 4-1 and 6-2 at the first break and 10-3 by halftime. By the time it was 9-3, Italy had nine different scorers, showing its depth around the pool. Romania scored at 1-1, 4-2 and 8-3 when amazing centre-forward find Silvian Colodrovschi scored the first of his three centre-forward goals. When Nicholas Presciutti went on counter for 10-3 just before halftime, he became the first double scorer.
The second half started with three straight to Italy, with Andrea Fondelli claiming a penalty goal and Vincenzo Renzuto Iodice becoming the ninth Italian scorer with a plumb-in-front extra-man strike. Levente Vancsik scored off the right post on extra for 13-4, but two Francesco Condemi goals, for his third, were put away on extra for 15-4 at the last break. It was a sedate 3-3 final quarter with Colodrovschi netting twice for Romania and Vlad-Luca Georgescu grabbing a second. Matteo Iocchi Gratta also scored twice for Italy to finish with three goals.
Match Heroes
Fondelli and Condemi with three apiece and Gianmarco Nicosia with nine saves in his three-quarter stint in the Italian goal. Colodrovschi scored three for Romania and Georgescu with two.
Turning Point
Breaking away from 1-1 and rolling to a big margin.
Stats Don’t Lie
Italy was excellent on extra-man attack with seven from 10 to Romania’s two from seven. Italy went two from two on penalty and Romania one from one. Romania had three extra shots.
Bottom Line
Italy gained its fourth victory and Romania has yet to win a match in Paris.
What They Said
Alessandro CAMPAGNA (ITA) — Head Coach
On Italy qualifying for the quarterfinals:
"Look, till this moment, we have had a good performance, but now we are going into the second week, which is completely different psychologically. Everybody wants medals, so we have to fight every game, but step by step. Now there is our fifth (preliminary) game, also the first one in the La Defense (Arena) pool, and we will see who we will meet in the quarterfinal."
On his 500th match as the team's head coach:
"It's a privilege to be coach of the Italy national team, which is one of the best teams in the world in water polo. But, on the other hand, this morning when I read (about) this 500th game, I said, 'Oh, my God. I'm very old (laughs).'"
On the most memorable moment of his coaching career with Italy:
"There are a lot of moments that I remember from the past but, as many people say, the best victory is the next one. Till I have this fire inside me to see all the time in the future and to build a new team, I would like to be a coach."
On whether his coaching philosophy has changed over the years:
"The philosophy is that I look all the time for excellence, and I also want to improve myself. I don't think I know everything; I am curious to have more knowledge, and this makes me feel young."
Progress Points
Group A: Italy 11, Croatia 9, Greece 8, USA 6, Montenegro 2, Romania 0.
Group B: Spain 12, Australia 9, Hungary 6, Serbia 6, France 3, Japan 0.
Day 10 Schedule — Men
Match 25. 10:30. Group B, Hungary v Serbia
Match 26. 12:05. Group B, Australia v Japan
Match 27. 15:00. Group A, Greece v Italy
Match 28. 16:35. Group A, Croatia v United States of America
Match 29. 19:30. Group B, France v Spain
Match 30. 21:05. Group A, Romania v Montenegro