The US Women’s Senior National Water Polo team defeated Spain 8-5 in a quarterfinal match at the 16th FINA World Championships in Kazan on Monday. The win places Team USA in the semifinals against long-time rivals Australia on Wednesday.
The US raced to a 5-1 lead before halftime, then withstood a second-half comeback in which the Spanish came within one goal of the defending world champions. Two goals and stifling defense, buttressed by perhaps the deepest talent on the planet, put the Americans three goals clear with four minutes remaining in the match, which they won 8-5.
Great saves and scores, USA Women Defeat Spain
The men fell to Serbia in a quarterfinal match they led 2-0 early in the first stanza. The Serbians quickly turned the tables and went up 4-2 in the first quarter after which the side never again trailed. The Americans did come within one of the favorites after a Luca Cupido goal brought the score to 7-6. That was the end of the match for Serbia’s starting goalkeeper, Gojko Pijetlovic, who was pulled by coach Dejan Savic early in the third period.
Serbia Defeats USA Men
With Branislav Mitrovic between the pipes the Serbian defense solidified and the team pulled away for a convincing 12-7 win over the young US team. They next face Hungary on Thursday for the chance to play in the 5th/6th place game.
Great Saves and Goals, USA Men vs. Serbia
Semifinal round
Wednesday, 5 August (women)
10.50: Canada (L W33) vs. Kazakhstan (L W34) – W39 (11th/12th place classification)
12.10: Hungary (W W33) vs. Brazil (W W34) – W40 (9th/10th place classification)
15.30: Spain (L W35) vs. China (L W36) – W41
17.00: Greece (L W37) vs. Russia (L W38) – W42
20.15: USA (W W35) vs. Australia (W W36) – W43
21.45: Italy (W W37) vs. Netherlands (W W38) – W44
Semifinal round
Thursday, 6 August (men)
10.50: Kazakhstan (L M33) vs. South Africa (L M34) – M39 (11th/12th place classification)
12.10: Canada (W M33) vs. Brazil (W M34) – M40 (9th/10th place classification)
15.30: Montenegro (L M35) vs. Australia (L M36) – M41
17.00: Hungary (L M37) vs. USA (L M38) – M42
20.15: Croatia (W M35) vs. Greece (W M36) – M43
21.45: Italy (W M37) vs. Serbia (W M38) – M44
Contributor: Tim Hartog
