Greece and Spain topped the groupings after final preliminary matches at the La Defense Arena. Sadly, for Japan, France, Montenegro and Romania it was their last matches as they depart the competition with classifications nine to 12. The top four in each group advance to Wednesday’s quarterfinals.
State Of The Play
It was an exciting day in the new La Defense Arena venue for water polo where up to 14,000 get to watch the action, compared to the 4000 at the Aquatics Centre in St Denis.
In Group A action, Greece upset Italy 9-8 in their top-of-the-table clash and United States of America charged home 14-11 against world champion Croatia to settle third spot in the group. Both teams finished with nine points, but USA won the head to head for third. Fancy world champion Croatia being fourth qualifier! In the third encounter, Montenegro won the battle for fifth place 10-7 over Romania, meaning Romania was the only team not to win a match in Paris.
In Group B, European champion Spain held off a defiant outgoing world No 4 France 10-8. France departs the competition with the sole win over Japan. In a real thriller, Japan won its last match 14-13 over second-ranked Australia with a counter-attack winner 11 seconds from time. It almost made up for two one-goal losses in Paris. The first match of the day was a blinder with Hungary on cruise control in the middle quarters to defeat Serbia 17-13 for third place in the group. Yes! Third place.
Quarterfinal Action
In the quarterfinals there will be no love lost as four cracker matches are on offer. World champion and 2012 Olympic champion Croatia will face European champion Spain, Olympic champion in 1996. Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Greece will front dual Olympic champion Serbia; USA will play Australia in the non-European final; and triple Olympic champion Italy will face last year’s world champion and nine-time Olympic champion Hungary.
It doesn’t get better than this.
DAY 10 MATCHES
Match 25, Group B, HUNGARY 17 SERBIA 13 (2-4, 7-3, 6-2, 2-4)
This was the battle for third place in the group behind Spain and Australia. Imagine that! Nine-time champion Hungary versus two-time champion Serbia — the only teams to own the title this century — playing for third! Both teams had a stuttering start to Paris, but have shown in the last few matches that they are getting better ahead of the quarterfinals. It was a surprising match in many ways with big shots coming at will and both teams giving up counter-attack goals. Hungary was allowed full rein, as well and showed that with those massive middle quarters.
Milos Cuk scored twice for Serbia after Gergo Fekete opened on counter. Marton Vamos swept one in on extra from deep right for 2-2. Dusan Mandic, in his fourth Olympic Games, and Nemanja Vico responded on extra to give Serbia the 4-2 break. The second quarter was something Serbia did not enjoy as Hungary felt at home with a 7-3 effort, drilling from the top, converting a penalty and even scoring on counter. Even five-time Olympian and dual medallist Denes Varga was in the picture, scoring from eight metres and then about 20m as Serbian goalkeeper Radoslav Filipovic was out of his cage in the last second. Gergo Zalanki was another to score twice.
The Hungarian juggernaut swept through into the third period, shooting to 12-7 before any brakes were applied. That meant, Hungary had shifted from 7-7 to 12-7 in less than five minutes of play. Mandic, who scored at 6-5 and 7-7, tipped in a counter-attack cross pass for 12-8. Hungary went to a timeout at 3:28 and 10 seconds into the play, Zalanki fired from the low right on extra for that five-goal margin again. Vince Vigari countered across the face of the goal, rolled over, accepted the pass and scored for 14-8, copping a hand in the eye. Vico scored a disputed goal on extra, the Hungarians thinking he was inside two metres, but it stood for 14-9. Fekete made no mistake with a cross pass to the lower left on extra for 15-9, ahead of the buzzer.
In the fourth quarter, Hungary took a back seat and Serbia set about trying to redress the huge imbalance, bringing the score to 16-12, thanks to a Mandic six-metre shot that seemed an age to shoot. Erik Molnar stopped the charge with a goal and then was binned on his third foul and Cuk converted the penalty foul at 2:42. Neither side had the energy to score again.
Match Heroes
Zalanki and Fekete with four goals each and Soma Vogel with 10 saves in goal. For Serbia, big man Mandic slotted five goals to lift his Paris tally to a tournament-high 15. Cuk grabbed three.
Turning Point
Serbia going 4-2; then Hungary making it 9-7 at halftime and continuing to tick over the scoreboard.
Stats Don’t Lie
Hungary converted six from nine on extra-man attack and denied Serbia seven from 12. Serbia gained two penalty goals. And Hungary shot 29 times to 26.
Bottom Line
It was all about pride. Both teams have the credentials to win their quarterfinals, but time will tell. It was a pointer of things to come.
What They Said
Krisztian MANHERCZ (HUN) — Goal Scorer
On the performance of his team so far:
“We beat France after a really impressive first two quarters (in our first game). But the next three games, we haven't been on the level everybody expects from us. We are now in a new arena and the most important part of the Olympic Games is to come. What is about to begin on Wednesday is the life-and-death part.”
On competing at Paris La Defense Arena, after earlier matches took place at the Aquatics Centre:
“It's an honour to play in front of this crowd and in this arena. In the Olympic Games, this should be water polo."
Nemanja UBOVIC (SRB) — Athlete
On the loss:
"We started good, our defence was very organised, and we were getting some blocks. But after that, from the second quarter, we didn't manage to have so many blocks and we weren't able to help our goalkeeper. We got unstable in the game, as we always take our stability from the defence. In attack, we weren't so bad. We missed a few chances, but we just conceded too many goals. We weren't as aggressive as we need to be, but we are so motivated to make another step forward. We’re ready for the next stage, live or die."
Match 26, Group B, AUSTRALIA 13 JAPAN 14 (5-2, 2-4, 2-4, 4-4)
Japan came through when it most wanted, winning a thrilling encounter on the last day of the group stage. Japan now leaves Paris while Australia will play the quarterfinals regardless of this loss. Japan suffered two one-goal losses earlier in the competition, so this win was bittersweet, taking a one-goal lead off regular opponent Australia. They play each other often and matches and generally squared, although on the major stages, Australia has the better record.
Australia was 11th in Doha last February and Japan 13th. In Paris, Australia was cementing its second place in the group and Japan was hoping for a win before heading home. Either way, Australia could not lose its second place and Japan could not advance to the quarterfinals.
Australia had an excellent start, going 4-0 before Japan took a timeout and switched goalkeepers in a hope of slowing the runaway train from Australia. Three of the Aussie Sharks’ first four goals were on action and one from the penalty line. Japan’s timeout reaped a reward through Yusuke Inaba, the tournament’s leading scorer now with 16. Australia replied through a fast pass to Aussie skipper Nathan Power, who backhanded it into the bottom right. Inaba took a cross pass to score from the left and 5-2. Another Japanese attack was stymied by Aussie goalkeeper Nic Porter, who took his tally to a staggering five by the first break.
Milos Maksimovic, who scored a penalty goal in the first quarter, hit the left post with his second attempt early in the second quarter. On the next attack, Luke Pavillard pierced the goal for 6-2. Seiya Adachi converted extra from the top left to keep Japan within range. Matthew Byrnes converted extra and then Japan went three straight on extra, looking dangerous close in and Inaba collecting his third at the long break had Australia 7-6 ahead.
Porter was rested and John Hedges gained his first minutes in Paris for the second half. Hedges plays for CN Barcelona in the Spanish, just next door to Porter’s CN Barceloneta club. Inaba and Mitsuru Takata scored and Power equalised at 8-8 from centre forward. Taiyo Watanabe needed a VAR decision for his go-ahead goal and Australia was denied a goal on a VAR decision. Lachlan Edwards finished off an action movement off a cross pass to the left post for 9-9. Adachi converted extra and Pavillard did not take the penalty shot when the whistle blew in the last four seconds of the period. He protested, but the referee shrugged his shoulders and Japan was 10-9 ahead.
Inaba opened the fourth-quarter scoring on counter after a long-range Aussie shot. Pavillard converted extra for 11-10 at 5:43 and Maksimovic received a long pass from Pavillard to the centre-forward position to score for 11-11. Inaba was too fast on the cross pass and it beat Hedges. Kenta Araki countered and Maksimovic unleashed a backhand from the left-post position, followed by a Chaz Poot 13-13 equaliser at 2:29. Power went on three major fouls and Japan’s Kai Inoue missed the shot. Maksimovic shot over the top and then Japan did what it does best, countered and Adachi slithered the ball under Hedges’ right arm for 14-13 at 0:11. Australia went to a timeout and the resulting shot came off the hand of Charlie Negus who skyed the ball and Japan had gained its first victory in Paris.
Match Heroes
Inaba with six goals (21 in total) and Adachi with three (11), coupled with Katsuyuki Tanamura’s nine saves in goal helped Japan to the win. Maksimovic with three (10 in Paris) and pairs to Power, Lachlan Edwards and Pavillard were Australia’s best.
Turning Point
Australia surrendering a 6-2 advantage several minutes into the second quarter. From then on, Japan won 12-7.
Stats Don’t Lie
Japan went six from 12 on extra and Australia two from five. Australia missed two of its three penalty attempts and Japan made sure of its lone attempt.
Bottom Line
Inaba with six goals and Australia’s inability to rein him in, was crucial to the win. That and missing two penalty goals that could have come in handy.
What They Said
Yusuke INABA (JPN) — Six Goals and 21 For The Tournament
On Japan ending its Paris 2024 campaign with a win after four straight defeats:
"I'm happy with this win because we had lost four games. And, after four games, it was difficult to keep the motivation and (find) positive vibes. This was really hard, but finally we won, by one goal, but we won. I am so happy. We couldn't pass (through to) the tournament's final stage, but this victory for us is a really, really big thing because we have never won against Australia at the Olympic Games, so this is a good way to improve and develop."
Kai INOUE (JPN) — Youngest Japanese PLayer
On the victory:
"I'm feeling great. I only played the last couple of 30 seconds or so, but this atmosphere is awesome. Also, it's our last day with this team here (at Paris 2024), but with a lot of mentors and veterans on this team, especially like Katsu (Tanamura) or Keigo Okawa, who is 17 years older than me, they kept me on this team. It was a hell of a ride. We couldn't go to the final stages but, for me, it's a great experience to be part of at 17. I want to bring it to the next Olympics in LA, where I was born. It's very exciting."
Luke PAVILLARD (AUS) — Two Goals
On the loss:
“Respect to the Japanese, as I'm sure this tournament hasn't gone exactly how they wanted. We knew they were going to come out and give it everything, considering this was their last game of the tournament. We got off to a good start and maybe we got complacent; they fought to the very end and they got the win. They swam hard, they shot the ball well, they passed the ball well. They had a complete game. We've just got to hope we do better when we play our next game.
“We wanted to win, but it was their day. We've just got to prepare better for Wednesday now so that we're not in this same situation. We would rather have this happen today than in two days’ time (in the quarterfinals). But this could be something that sets us up for the rest of the tournament in terms of our approach to each game and how we handle ourselves when we get in similar situations. We'll do what we can to learn from this, but at the same time, we'll try and have a bit of short-term memory going into the quarterfinals.”
On the event moving from the Aquatics Centre to the larger Paris La Defense Arena:
“Maybe that was a factor as well (for the loss). Like getting caught up in the scale of it. All the boys were saying they hadn't played in front of a crowd that big. And it's going to be that big, or even bigger, come two days’ time.”
Milos MAKSIMOVIC (AUS) — Three Goals
On the loss:
“In our previous few games, we played very well consistently, like the whole game, but today that was not the case. We made a lot of mistakes. Japan are very unusual opponents with the way they play but we knew that, and it's our responsibility. We didn't perform well. It's as simple as that. We rushed a lot in attack. In defence, we didn't have that high level of blocks like in the last few games. We can't play the game and concede 14 goals and try to win. That’s impossible. We have to play a much more aggressive defence and try to get a lot more blocks.”
On the quarterfinals:
“We need to be much better, be 100 per cent in attack, defence, and be focused from the start until the end, and that's the only way we can win. We now have one day to recover, to reset, and prepare ourselves for one of the biggest matches in our careers so far."
Blake EDWARDS (AUS) — Co-Captain
On the loss:
“We dropped our intensity a little bit after the first quarter, and the intensity we have been showing so far here has worked really well for us. We usually come with fire, desire and a high, mobile defence, and that’s given us good results, but we fell asleep in moments against Japan and they’re a team you definitely can't fall asleep on. Energy wise, we were a little bit flat. The emotional rollercoaster we've ridden so far maybe took its toll. It's something that we'll address, but I'm sure that playing in a quarterfinal, there's no bigger moment for anyone in this team.”
On the quarterfinals:
“I have no doubt that we'll come out as a completely different team in two days. The belief is well and truly there. We're extremely proud of how we've performed so far, but we're also extremely determined to go another step further. The atmosphere and the crowd was sensational. That was another learning experience for all of us, and we're glad that we were able to play that game first and get all the cobwebs out. We'll be extremely fired up for the quarterfinals.”
Match 27, Group A, GREECE 9 ITALY 8 (2-2, 4-3, 0-1, 3-2)
What a match this was. Never more than a goal in it and it was just a case was when the final buzzer went who was in front. With Greece ahead at 9-6 there was still nearly three minutes of play, but no goal came.
Stylianos Argyropoulos was first to score and he was to prove most valuable to his team and the victory. Francesco Condemi replied and Alexandros Papanastasiou gave Greece the edge again, from the left side of the pool. Gonzalo Echenique scored off his left arm at the end of possession time for 2-2 at 2:43 with no more goals in the period. Lorenzo Bruni scored off the left-post position on the cross pass for 3-2 at he start of the second quarter. Captain Ioannis Fountoulis and Argyropoulos, both from the point position, gave Greece a 4-3 lead, which Bruni nullified, flicking in a rebound on extra. Goals were traded and Argyropoulos converted extra, which made it 6-5 to Greece by halftime.
Bruni equalised off the left-post position, receiving a pass from his left on extra for 6-6. Argyropoulos and Francesco di Fulvio missed penalty attempts inside the final two minutes. Konstantinos Genidounias made sure of the penalty shot at the top of the fourth quarter. Condemi responded and Argyropoulos converted extra for 8-7 at 5:59. Italy went to a timeout and even though it did not score immediately, it eventually regained the ball for Matteo Iocchi Gratta to plunder a goal from the deep left for 8-8 at 4:16. Fountoulis smashed one in from the same position on extra for 9-8 at 2:53. That’s when the fun shooting occurred, Italy slamming in six shots and regaining each time, only for the Greek defence to hold on for victory.
Match Heroes
Greek Goalkeeper Emmanouil Zerdevas was the undoubted star, stopping a barrage of shots in the final seconds to finish with 14 saves. Argyropoulos with four goals and two to Fountoulis in his 361st international. For Italy, Condemi and Bruni finished with three each. Both goalies amassed 13 saves.
Turning Point
With the match tied at all the numbers, it was really the winning goal.
Stats Don’t Lie
Both teams scored five on extra with Greece needing 13 attempts to Italy’s 11. On penalties, Greece went one from two and Italy none from one. On shots fired, Italy sent in 36 to Greece’s 28.
Bottom Line
It was the top-of-the-table clash and these teams are well versed in major finals in recent years. Both are in line for the medal mix and will need to be at their best for the quarterfinals.
What They Said
Konstantinos GENIDOUNIAS (GRE)
On the match:
“Most of the games we play with Italy are very physical like that, and today both sides were really good defensively. All the goalkeepers, for both sides, had excellent performances, too. The difference was the goal at the end by our captain, Ioannis Fountoulis. Italy then failed to score with the couple of opportunities they had afterwards and that's what brought us the win.”
On looking ahead to the quarterfinals:
“We've been building during all the group stage for this game. We wanted to finish as high up the group as we could. In the quarterfinals, we have to be 100 per cent focused and ready to battle.”
Alessandro CAMPAGNA (ITA) — Head Coach
On the match:
“I like that all the players fight until the last minute, especially my players, even though they lost. This is a kind of game we can learn a lot from. Our shooting was not so good, but at the end, we were a little unlucky with hitting the posts, but it's better to lose now than in the quarterfinal."
On looking ahead to the quarterfinals:
“In the quarterfinals, you're either going to paradise or you're going to hell. It's a fight, it's a fighting game. I’m happy with where my team is and this performance. OK, we made some mistakes, but we will analyse those and prepare for the quarterfinals.”
Match 28, Group A, CROATIA 11 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 14 (2-5, 3-5, 2-1, 4-3)
USA picked up its third victory and third place in the group, to boot. It came off a seven-goal advantage in the second quarter with Croatia having to peg back goals when it could. Konstantin Kharkov was the chief scorer for Croatia, but even his efforts were not enough against the powerful USA, setting itself up for the quarterfinals and a possible hit at the medals.
Loren Fatovic gave Croatia the first goal but it was the last time that Croatia had the lead. Three fast goals had USA 3-1 up before Kharkov, the former Russian star, started his thunderous run. Alex Bowen and Ryder Dodd (18) for his second, off a long lob, gave USA the 5-2 quarter-time lead. Another pair at the top of the second quarter had USA 7-2. Luka Bukic replied on extra with Max Irving and Hannes Daube gaining their second goals and captain Ben Hallock scoring off the left-post position on extra for a flattering 10-3 scoreline. Kharkov and Fatovic narrowed the margin to five by halftime.
Marko Zuvela on counter; Daube from the top on extra, hitting the crossbar and bouncing in off Marko Bijac’s head; and Croatian captain Maro Jokovic claiming a penalty goal, made it 11-7 by the last break. Marko Vavic converted a penalty foul and Kharkov shunted in two more from the right. Irving fired a missile from the top on extra; Kharkov responded in normal fashion and Fatovic scored a six-metre goal for 13-11 at 1:37. Bowen stopped the slide with a shot creasing the right post for 14-11 and ultimately victory.
Match Heroes
Kharkov’s five goals were not enough to get Croatia across the line. Fatovic steamed in three. For USA, Daube and Irving scored three each and goalkeeper Adrian Weinberg made nine saves.
Turning Point
The three-goal and then the four-goal spurts that had USA 7-2 early in the second quarter.
Stats Don’t Lie
USA converted five from eight and defended seven of 11 on extra-man attack. Croatia had the better of the shooting number at 31 to USA’s more efficient 24. On penalties, USA converted two from two and Croatia one from one.
Bottom Line
USA wanted to show that it came to Paris for another Olympic medal and the start justified that.
What They Said
Luca CUPIDO (USA) —Goal Scorer
On the victory:
"We are happy about the result. The team has been playing better game after game, which is nice. We want to get in a rhythm for the second week of the tournament. Now the group stage is done, the quarterfinal is going to be a very big game for us. We have to recharge physically and mentally and be ready."
On the team's defence:
"Defensively, we are putting our bodies between the ball and the cage. We want to sacrifice to make a block. Sometimes you can make a block, but the energy that everyone's giving in defence is very important."
On playing Australia in the quarterfinal:
"They're very similar to us in playing style, so it's going to be a very interesting game. (In) the water, swimming, historically, these two teams are very physical and we're very good swimmers. So, physically, it's going to be very consuming. That's why we need to recharge today and tomorrow and be physically ready.
"We're going to come out to fight. They're going to come out to fight. It's going to be a very intense game. We need to be focused. The job's not done. We are where we want to be, in the quarterfinal. It doesn't matter who is in the other team. We're going to come ready for the next game."
On the difference between the current USA team and the ones at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020:
"Every team is different. This team had the luxury of being together through one Olympics and retaining the majority of the players, so we have built some camaraderie that we are showing now on the defensive end. Being together for a longer time is paying off."
Match 29, Group B, FRANCE 8 SPAIN 10 (1-3, 2-2, 4-2, 1-3)
Spain went five matches without a blemish and now will face world champion Croatia in the quarterfinals. Spain cruised home in this match despite a plucky French team wanting to show 14,000 how good its team was and has become in recent years. From fourth in Doha, it slips out of the top eight but with much credit and displaying its powers to a home crowd. It finishes with the 14-13 victory over Japan, the trickiest team in Paris.
Spain started strongly with the first three goals and then goals were traded right through to 6-4 early in the third period. Thomas Vernoux lifted the roof with the first French goal at 3-1. Alberto Munarriz started the second quarter as he did the first, this time on extra off the left-post position. Mehdi Marzouki converted a penalty; Bernat Sanahuja grabbed a second, on extra, and French captain Ugo Crousillat also scored on extra, from the top right for his left arm. It came six seconds from halftime.
Munarriz did it again in the third period for 6-3. Crousillat scored on extra and after a French timeout, Michael Bodegas converted extra from the right post off a near pass for 6-5 behind. Alvaro Granados netted his second on extra while Alexandre Bouet and Crousillat on counter scored in quick succession for the equaliser at 7-7, the final score of the period.
Martin Famera dulled the din on extra and Spanish captain Felipe Perrone sent in a penalty goal. After a timeout, Sanahuja gained his third goal with a lob from the top and the message was clear. France was not beaten yet and Enzo Khasz scored from deep left, giving him a big smile as he realised it was probably the last throw of the dice for France, which it was.
Match Heroes
Munarriz and Sanahuja with three apiece and Unai Aguirre with a tournament-high 16 saves for Spain. France’s Crousillat finished the Games as a captain should, with three goals. Hugo Fontani made 11 saves.
Turning Point
The 3-0 start and France’s fabulous 4-1 run in the third period to gain level pegging at seven.
Stats Don’t Lie
Spain converted four from seven on extra and defended six of 10. France had 35 shots to 31. Each team converted a penalty.
Bottom Line
Spain is destined for big things in Paris and France will have to wait another day.
What They Said
Unai AGUIRRE (ESP) — Goalkeeper — 16 Saves
On the win:
“We played really well at the beginning, but later they showed how they are also a very good team. I feel bad for them because they deserved to be in the Olympic top eight, but this is sport. I think they enjoyed this match; the crowd were amazing. I think maybe this is the best pool I've ever played in. I’m very happy to have played against France in the Olympics in their home with this incredible pool, with the people. It was amazing.”
On winning all their group games and facing Croatia in the quarterfinals:
“All these games have been preparation for the last week. Croatia are the world champions, they won the silver at the European championships, and they've been the best team this season. Maybe they are a little bit the favourites because of that. We'll have to give everything to reach the semifinal.”
Ugo CROUSILLAT (FRA) — Captain — Three Goals
On his team's performance:
"The match was good. We enjoyed it. Even though we lost, we played our best game today because we enjoyed it. This is sport, so we need to enjoy it. That's one thing that we didn't do in the previous game. Spain is an amazing team. When it was 7-7, they reacted better than us. That's why they won. They are one of the best teams, maybe the best here, and they will probably show that in the competition."
On the lap of honour and his own expression of gratitude to the crowd after the match:
"I wanted to stay back even though it was not the result that we wanted in the competition because water polo is not famous in France, and today we had a great opportunity, and during all the tournament, to show our great sport. It was the minimum (I could do): to stay when you see people giving you love like this, even when you lose. We are really lucky to have these moments as sportsmen. It gives me power. Even today, I'm really tired but (I try) to continue to fight every day in training to give them one medal, I hope some day in some top competition."
On how he would want to remember leading France at Paris 2024:
"If you ask me today, it was a pleasure, but also many regrets because I would prefer to play the quarterfinal here in an atmosphere like this. I am a little bit sad because I'm sure we could do better, especially with what we showed in the last competitions, but it's like this: it's sport and we just need to continue to work and to analyse what was good, what was not good."
On his message to the fans:
"I want to tell them again, thank you very much. We are really lucky to have them. Come again because this is an amazing sport and we will continue to give you emotions. We need you."
On the potential of his team-mate Thomas VERNOUX:
"Thomas is not only my team-mate, he's one of my best friends, even though we have a big age difference. Even though I'm sure that he is also a bit sad, he's young and still has 10-15 years ahead of him, so just enjoy and take pleasure."
Match 30, Group A, ROMANIA 7 MONTENEGRO 10 (3-3, 1-2, 1-2, 2-3)
Montenegro, with two shootout losses in Paris, finally came up with a victory and kept Romania winless in Paris as both teams now depart the competition in the lower group of 9-12. On the ranking assessed by World Aquatics, Montenegro claims ninth position and Romania 12th.
Romania started proceedings with Montenegro scoring twice and goals traded until 3-3 by the first break. Six different players made the sheet. There were two new scorers in the second quarter as Marko Mrsic became a double from the top left and Francesco Iudean scored his second of the week for 5-4 down at halftime.
Duro Radovic pushed Montenegro out to 6-4 with Silvian Colodrovschi replying with a five-metre shot off a rebound. Stefan Vidovic went on counter down the left and lobbed from a deep angle to close the third period at 7-5. Mrsic opened the final period; Vasilije Radovic drove in and scored off a high pass for 9-5 and Vlado Popadic scored off the left-post position on extra for 10-5 at 5:38. Tudor-Andrei Fulea converted extra and two seconds from the final buzzer, bringing the curtain down on these teams’ Olympics, Fulea scored off a six-metre foul for 10-7.
Match Heroes
Mrsic with three and Vidovic with two for Montenegro. Vlado Popadic, with the final Montenegro strike, finished top of his team in Paris with 10 goals. For Romania, Fulea was best with two and Georgescu’s opener gave him nine in total.
Turning Point
Montenegro’s three-goal spurt straddling the final break that took it five goals clear.
Stats Don’t Lie
Romania had the better of the extra-man stats with three from seven and defending 10 of 13.
Bottom Line
Montenegro is the better team, but it was wonderful to see Romania back in the fold. However, both these teams now leave Paris.
Final Points
Group A: Greece 11, Italy 11, USA 9, Croatia 9, Montenegro 5, Romania 0.
Group B: Spain 12, Australia 9, Hungary 9, Serbia 6, France 3, Japan 3.
Day 12 Schedule
Round 1-8 Quarterfinals
Match 34. 14:00. Croatia v Spain
Match 31. 15:35. Greece v Serbia
Match 33. 19:00. United States of America v Australia
Match 32. 20:35. Italy v Hungary