Summary, Day 12 (Men’s SF) Showdown on Sunday: Hungary vs. Serbia Again, the very best of water polo was delivered on the Margaret Island in front of 6,000 fans: the four best teams produced magnificent semi finals, both were decided by a single goal. Hungary won against Italy 7-6 with a last-minute shot while the Serbs emerged from the bottom of the pool to beat Montenegro 10-9 with a 3-0 last period. Hungary’s rejuvenation after the Olympic shock (5th place) in London 2012 has been enriched with a new chapter as the men’s team reached their 4th straight major final in two years (2013: World League, World Championships, 2014: World League, European Championships). The hosts managed to break another curse: since 2001 they lost 5 of 6 European semi finals, including the last three – now they prevailed against Italy in an enormous battle, attended by Hungarian State President Janos Ader who watched the game in the company of LEN President Paolo Barelli. Hungary took a flying start in the first period, they led 3-1, thanks to Viktor Nagy’s series of saves. The best goalkeeper of last year’s World Championships was on fire again giving a firm backing to the hosts’ defence. The Italians ‘arrived’ to the match in the second period, they tightened their defence, denying the Magyars for more than 4 minutes and coming back to 3-3 in the meantime. Norbert Hosnynaszky’s blast broke the deadlock and Daniel Varga added one for 3-5 but Italy pulled one back with 0.8sec remaining (4-5). The third brought an even more dramatic battle. It was muscle against muscle, fight for each position with plenty of swimming and huge saves from Nagy and Stefano Tempesti. After almost 6 minutes Hosnyanszky hit the top left corner from the right side but Alex Giorgetti also sent a rocket to the net from a free throw – it stood 5-6 before the final period. Tension took over as both sides missed a man-up through wrong passes, then Hungary wasted another extra while Italy managed to equalise with Stefano Luongo’s fine shot from the side for 6-6, but Hosnyanszky did it again, this time with some luck, tipping in a rebound (6-7). Italy also converted an extra for 7-7, with 2:03 minutes remaining. It seemed inevitable that an individual effort will decide the outcome – and it came from Denes Varga, who was elected the world’s best player in 2013: 56 seconds before the end he sent a brilliant shot under the bar (7-8). The last Italian shot was blocked and the tribune blew up as 6,000 spectators celebrated the hosts’ success. Back in 2001 Hungary and Italy played in the semis here in Budapest, that time Italy won 8-7 – now it was the Magyars’ turn. The 6,000 fans stayed for the second semi final and the two other giants didn’t disappoint them. The Montenegrins opened the match with an amazing 5-1 rush, the Serbian goalie, Gojko Pijetlovic was surprised by a couple of shots and the ‘little bros’ of the family seemed to be in full control despite conceding two goals in 48 seconds towards the end of the first quarter. In the second Montenegro rebuilt the four-goal gap (3-7) and still held it early in the third (4-8). However, they couldn’t keep up the same intensity, they seemed to have lost the pace, while the Serbs pushed hard and came closer and closer. With 1:21 to go in the third they trailed 7-8. Then came a miraculous move from Nikola Janovic, a 7m back-handed shot which beat the buzzer (7-9). It was a decisive moment – but for other reasons as it turned out. Head coach Dejan Savic sent in his young substitute goalie, Branislav Mitrovic. After this his players defended their goal with doubled efforts, the Montenegrins didn’t shoot with the same confidence, Mitrovic made 3 crucial saves, while the Serbian offence delivered what was needed to turn the game. They produced a 3-0 rush in the last period (it was 6-1 after being 4-8 down) and the title-holders reached the European final for the 6th time in the last 7 editions. They will face the Hungarians on Sunday: the last time these two battled for the European gold happened in 2006 – eventually in Belgrade, Serbia. Now comes the rematch in Budapest. That time the Serbs won 9-8 – here, in the prelims the Magyars won 8-6. Excitements are guaranteed. In the other matches Spain and Romania booked their spot for the 2016 European Championships by beating Germany and France respectively, in one-sided battles, the losers have to go through the qualification process next year. Russia earned the 11th place by overcoming Georgia (9-8). Results, Day 12 Men’s Semi Finals Italy vs. Hungary 7-8 Serbia vs. Montenegro 10-9 For places 7-10 Germany vs. Spain 8-16 France vs. Romania 8-15 For places 11-12 Russia vs. Georgia 9-8 Fixtures Saturday For places 9-10 10.30 Germany vs. France For places 7-8 12.00 Spain vs. Romania For places 5-6 13.30 Croatia vs. Greece Sunday Bronze medal game 18.30 Italy vs. Montenegro Final 20.30 Hungary vs. Serbia
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 20:34:45 +0000
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