Olympic champion Serbia suffered two defeats and now needs to beat European champion Spain to get to the quarterfinals on Friday. Serbia lost 17-13 to Greece and 16-15 to Montenegro. Spain took out second place in Group A, downing France 13-11, and Japan made sure of Group C second ranking in holding out Romania 16-12.
Overview
It was a big day for Serbia having to place twice and the new-look team battled hard against the more experienced Greeks. Against Montenegro, it was down 9-4 at halftime and just came up short in the dying minutes. But we all remember how Serbia came back from the death to clinch its third Olympic gold medal last year.
It all depends on the crossovers where Spain, Montenegro and Romania will be hoping they make the quarterfinals and stay in with a chance of heading to the finals series.
Match Reports
Match 7, Group B, GREECE 17 SERBIA 13 (4-3, 3-4, 4-2, 6-4)
The first of two for the day as Serbia arrived to play. The medals are dangling heavy on the necks of Serbia, but most of those players are back home in retirement. This new-look team was slow out of the blocks, brought the match level at four, five and seven by halftime, levelling twice in the third and letting the match slip away. It was great play by Greece who went 2-1 and 4-2 ahead in the first quarter and scored three go-ahead goals in the second quarter before Serbia sent in two in the final minute before halftime. Konstantinos Kakaris and captain Konstantinos Genidounias had two each. Vasilije Martinovic scored three of the first four Serbian goals.
Greece showed the way and Serbia responded to 9-9 in the third quarter with Stylianos Argyropoulos drilling from the top on extra and Ioannis Alafragkis going on counter to lead 11-9 at the final break. Two more Greek goals made it a four-goal margin early in the fourth period with Dordje Vucinic on extra and captain Dordje Lazic with a centre-forward backhand narrowing it to two. Argyropoulos and Alafragkis covered a Martinovic score and Aristeidis Chalyvopoulos scored a six-metre, free throw goal at 2:20. Nikola Lukic scored off the left-post position at 1:18 and Alexandros Papanastasiou sealed the deal for Greece from the deep right at 0:30 and 17-13.
Editor's note: It was the Serbs’ intention to have a schedule like this as they did not want to play on Day 1, on 6 January, which is Christmas Eve for the Orthodox Christians. Same for the Greeks, that’s why that game was moved to yesterday.
Match Heroes
Kakaris with four and Argyropoulos with three. Nine Greeks made the scoresheet. Martinovic was all action for Serbia with five goals and Lukic fired in three as only six Serbs scored.
Turning Point
Greece with its 4-2 start and 4-2 third period that held Serbia at bay.
Stats Don’t Lie
Greece converted three from six on extra and Serbia three from seven. Greece missed one of its two penalty attempts and Serbia made sure of one. Both teams took seven steals and Greece shot more at 36-31.
Bottom Line
Greece was playing its second match and Serbia its first. Serbia is renowned for losing a match or two and coming away with the ultimate prize.
What They Said
Theodoros Vlachos (GRE) — Head Coach
On beating Serbia after falling short to it in Paris?
“Yes, it's great to play against Serbia, always. Last time we lost in the quarterfinal in Paris. Today, Serbia was with a completely different team, but always they know how to play and they have this feeling of water polo. And for us, this match was really tough being in the morning, and a few hours ago, we had another important and very difficult game. I saw my players not so fresh like yesterday, but I think during the game we handled the rhythm and the score to earn one more win and qualify for the top eight. Now we must look forward to the next game.”
On what adjustments he made in the second half after being tied 7-7 in the first half?
“I think my players woke up finally, because it's hard to wake up at 6:30 and jump in the water at 8 o’clock. It’s not something we are used to doing; especially after the game we played last night; you cannot sleep easy at night, which showed today. However, I'm really happy because the second part of the game they played in a different way in their defence and attack.”
Konstantinos Kakaris (GRE) — Player of the Match
On how it feels beat Serbia after losing in Paris?
“I think we want to play our best in every game, not just against Serbia. Of course, the game they beat us in (Paris quarterfinals) was much more important, but this win helps us towards our goal of qualifying for the World (Aquatics) Championships. We want to play every game like this, which had a good result and we want to adjust to the new rules. I think everyone gave their best and we must continue as a team.”
On what improvements need to be made before the quarterfinals?
“We made some mistakes on the defence. I think this was the main problem we had. We had some mistakes in the attack as well, but they are much less important than the defence. We gave up a few easy goals that we should not have and this is the key for us to improve on if we want to continue past the quarterfinals.”
Uros Stevanovic (SRB) — Head Coach
On the match:
“You see, this is our first game with the new rules and a new team. Most of the match, we played very well until the end of the third quarter. The score was 10-9 and they were able to score an attack that gave them a two-goal difference going into the fourth quarter.
“Fourth quarter starts with us losing the sprint for the first time of the match, and Greece immediately earns an exclusion that they score on. It’s very difficult for this young team to get back into the game being down three goals, especially against a team like Greece. They came here with the goal to be one of the teams to make it to Singapore and played a great match.”
Match 8, Group A, FRANCE 11 SPAIN 13 (3-3, 4-3, 2-2, 2-5)
This proved to be an engrossing match where the score was tied eight times. France opened and Spain snapped back with three goals. France scored the next three with Spain taking the 5-4 lead with nine different scorers to date. Thomas Vernoux, who scored the opener, fired in consecutive goals, one from a turning centre-forward effort, for the 6-5 advantage. Goals were traded to halftime with two new scorers.
Bernat Sanahuja brought up his third goal, finishing off the counter gained through an extra-man play at the top of the third period for 7-7. Alvaro Granados scored from the top for a Spanish lead only for Alexandre Bouet for his second and Romain Marion Vernoux off the right post on extra again taking France to the lead — 9-8, just inside the buzzer break. Denis Guerin accepted a cross pass to the right post for 10-8 to start the final period. Five unanswered Spanish goals had France on the ropes at 13-10 down by 1:02. Marion Vernoux gained a consolation goal, but France would be ruing what could have been and Spain could count itself lucky.
Match Heroes
Sanahuja drilled four goals and Granados three for Spain. Vernoux topped France’s scoring with three and Hugo Fontani made 12 saves in goal.
Turning Point
Spain turning over France’s opener and then France going 4-3 up and maintained the lead to 10-8. A three-goal Spanish burst early in the fourth period gave Spain the springboard to victory.
Stats Don’t Lie
Spain went five from 10 on extra and France six from 11. Spain scored twice from the penalty line and made six steals to one. The overall shooting of 39-25 was a telling point considering there was only a two-goal differential.
Bottom Line
Spain is the European champion and France has been knocking on the door in many matches this past 12 months. It is still early in the season.
What They Said
David Martin (ESP) — Head Coach
On what you were able to do well today to come out with a win compared to your first match against Hungary?
“At this moment, it’s very difficult to play with both the new rules every day and during a point in the season where everyone is training with their clubs. I think there were a lot of decisions made with the stress of the moment so, the bad positions we put ourselves in makes sense. I’m happy that we are playing many games with the new rules so we can continue to adapt to them and be ready for summer.”
On what he said before the fourth quarter that helped his team change its play to win the last quarter 5-2 after trailing 9-8?
“I have a lot of respect for (Thomas) Vernoux and he was able to put us in a lot of bad situations for the first three quarters. The end of the game was decided by us changing our defence that gave more help to the players who were guarding him. We have enough talented players on our attack to be able to take the lead, but the change in our defence is what made the difference. However, I would prefer to go up in games instead of going down and having to fight our way back.”
Bernat Sanahuja (ESP) — Player of the Match
On scoring 10 goals in two matches?
“I don’t know why. I think it’s more so the team than just my efforts, since I just shot the opportunities that they gave me. I’ve just been lucky to score the number of goals that I have as we continue growing as a team. However, we are a young and new team that have a lot of things to improve on. We must keep going step by step and working hard if we want to continue being successful in this tournament.”
Florian Bruzzo (FRA) — Head Coach
On the match:
“The style of game we play is very aggressive and physically demanding and we don’t currently have enough experienced players to maintain our top level of play for four quarters. Therefore, we need to learn from yesterday and today about how to find the balance between the very good and very bad moments we showed in both games.
“If we can reduce that gap, we will be much more successful as a team. As I said, we have a lot of new players that have been getting better day by day as they gain more experience so, hopefully we will find that balance tomorrow and can come away with a win.”
Match 9, Group B, SERBIA 15 MONTENEGRO 16 (2-4, 2-5, 7-5, 4-2)
Serbia’s second baptism of fire came against Montenegro with Dejan Savic at the helm, playing against another of his old teams. This was to be a good day for Savic, coming up with the victory. Montenegro had the match in the bag by halftime with a 9-4 advantage that blew out to eight goals midway through the third quarter. By 6-2, three minutes into the second quarter, Montenegro was humming. When Nikola Moskov whipped in an extra-man goal and Dusan Matkovic went on counter, it became 8-3. Serbia made a sporadic appearance with Nikola Lukic the only double scorer, countering the 8-4 goal before Balsa Vuckovic finished a steal and long pass for 9-4, one second from halftime.
Some spectators would have left for home by now. Leftie Duro Radovic opened the third period as Montenegro went to 11-4, 12-5 and 14-6 as Moskov stiff-armed a penalty goal. Further reason to leave the stadium. However, Ognjen Stojanovic spearheaded a Serbian revival with two extra-man goals. Marko Radulovic, Martinovic and Luka Pljevancic — the last two on extra — narrowed the margin to three by the final break.
Goals were traded with Montenegro leading and Moskov scored another blindingly fast penalty goal amid two Luka Gladovic scores. It was 16-13 at 3:00 and these new rules mean three goals far from the comfort zone. Montenegro played strong defence and gave up an extra-man goal to Lukic at 0:55 and another to Gladovic at 0:18. Montenegro controlled and scored a goal on the buzzer, but it was rejected by VAR. Montenegro had the win; Savic had the win and Serbia now needs a crossover victory to progress.
Match Heroes
Moskov and Duro Radovic with three goals each spurred Montenegro to victory. Gladovic and Lukic netted four apiece for Serbia.
Turning Point
Montenegro’s 3-0 start and 9-4 halftime lead was just enough to get across the line.
Stats Don’t Lie
Montenegro converted just five from 10 on extra while Serbia had a magnificent seven from nine. Montenegro converted all three penalty foul after giving up no foul. Montenegro stole the ball seven times three and shot one less than Serbia at 36-35.
Bottom Line
Second match for Serbia under the new rules while Montenegro was responding to the urgings of its new coach.
What They Said
Dejan Savic (MNE) — Head Coach
On the match:
“First of all, these new rules proved that every game is very interesting until the end. As well, spectators seem to be enjoying the game. Overall, it was a game with a lot of competition from both teams. We started the game very well and controlled the game until about five minutes left in the third quarter.
“From there, my players thought that everything is going their way and the game was over. They took costumes and went on the beach to take a rest instead of finishing the game. Moving forward, they must play to the end of every game and (they) have proved to me that I must work on both the physical and mental preparation of my players.”
Djuro Radovic (MNE) — Player of the Match:
On earning the first win for this new Montenegro team under coach Dejan Savic?
“It’s a very nice feeling to come away with a win against a team like Serbia. We have a new head coach and it’s an amazing feeling for both him and us for our first win to be a game like this. During the game, we played very well to start, but like always lost our minds during the third quarter and almost lost again. However, I am proud that we were able to get the win and now must recover and prepare our minds and bodies for tomorrow’s game (v Spain).”
Match 10, Group C, ROMANIA 12 JAPAN 16 (3-2, 3-6, 4-4, 2-4)
Silvian Colodrovschi is the hero of Romanian water polo currently and he stirred up the crowd tonight against Japan. He brought back memories of the great player of some years ago in Cosmin Radu. He scored the first three goals from centre forward and had a fourth by halftime, netting his fifth in the third period. Japan played his frontal-defence game and stuck to the plan despite the Romanian’s dominance at two metres. Japan went ahead twice but Romania had the quarter lead. Japan had the better of the second quarter went into the second half with an 8-6 advantage. Seiya Adachi, Taiyo Watanabe and captain Yusuke Inaba had a pair each as Japan went on counter three times.
Adachi and Colodrovschi traded goals to start the third quarter and Romania came close at 10-9 when Levente Vancsik made the most of a freedom at two metres for 10-9 down. However, Japan went to 12-9 and was satisfied with 12-10 at the final break. A centre-forward strike and another penalty goal had the lead at 14-10. This became 16-11 with two minutes left and Francesco Iudean converted extra for the last goal at 1:28.
Match Heroes
Adachi scored five for Japan with Watanabe and Inaba collecting three each. For Romania, Colodrovschi was king with five goals. Vlad-Luca Georgescu chimed in with three.
Turning Point
Japan coming from one down at the first break and then kept a distance.
Stats Don’t Lie
Japan went four from eight on extra and swatted away six from 10. Japan converted all three penalty attempts and gave up no penalty foul. Steals went the way of Japan 8-6 and the shots were 35-33 in favour of the Japanese.
Bottom Line
With the first quarter out of the way, Japan controlled the match and deservedly took second place in the group.
What They Said
Yoshinori Shiota (JPN) — Head Coach
On any change to your preparation after losing to USA on day one:
“We refocused on our defensive system, the Japanese press, which is a very unique defence compared to most teams. After the USA game, we had a meeting about how we must emphasise our press defence to slow down the opponent’s offence and deny passes to the very strong Romanian centres.
“Even after their centre scored five goals in the first half, I didn’t change our defence because five goals out of centre is nothing for us. Instead, we focused more on how we could earn more counter-attack opportunities and goals that ultimately gave us the win today.”
Seiya Adachi (JPN) — Five Goals and Player of the Match
On the victory:
“From the first quarter, we were really successful with our Japanese defence and earned a lot of counter-attack advantages. At first, the shots weren’t going in, but as the game went on, we were able to start scoring our advantages and playing better defence. Tomorrow, we must prepare to play like we did today when we get back in the pool. It is very difficult when playing against European teams who are much bigger than us, but if we can play defence like we did today, we can be successful.”
Bogdan Rath (ROU) — Head Coach
On the match:
“I think we need more maturity on our man-up attacks because we started to accelerate too much in key moments. This gave Japan many counter attack opportunities and like we have talked about before, our focus needs to be on keeping teams to a small number of goals.
“We did that for a good part of this game, but then gave the Japanese too many easy goals through our mistakes. I have to see the video to do a better analysis, but my impression is that we surprised ourselves with how quick we were shooting the ball on man-up opportunities. I have to give Japan credit for their counter-attacks, which were top quality during the game today.
“If we want to be successful against Georgia tomorrow, we must absorb the lessons from this loss and bring our best effort to direct elimination tomorrow.”
Final Points
Group A: Hungary 6, Spain 3, France 0
Group B: Greece 6, Montenegro 3, Serbia 0
Group C: United States of America 6, Japan 3, Romania 0
Group D: Croatia 3, Georgia 0
Day 4 Schedule
Match 13. 16:00. 2A Spain v 3B Serbia
Match 14. 17:30. 2B Montenegro v 3A France
Match 16. 19:00. 2D Georgia v 3C Romania