Men's Water Polo World Cup Division One: Hungary, Greece, Montenegro, and Spain Advance to Finals

Hungary, Greece, Montenegro, and Spain have secured spots in the upcoming World Aquatics World Cup finals in Kotor, Montenegro, this April. These teams emerged victorious in the quarterfinals today, while Olympic champion Serbia dominated the host nation Romania with a 21-6 win in the classification 9-11 series.

Overview

In the quarterfinals, the winners advanced to the finals:

• Hungary dominated with a 21-10 victory over Georgia.
• Greece defeated Japan 20-16 in an exciting match.
• Montenegro outperformed the United States with a 15-7 win.
• Spain narrowly beat world champion Croatia 15-14, thanks to a last-minute goal.

As the competition progresses, focus turns to the five-six playoffs to determine the remaining finalists, who will join Division Two qualifiers Netherlands and Germany.

Upcoming Semifinals

The excitement lies not only in the classification 1-4 semifinals but also in the classification 5-8 semifinals, which will fill the remaining slots for Kotor. Georgia faces Japan in the first match, while Olympic bronze medalist USA takes on Olympic silver medalist Croatia in the second. These are expected to be highly competitive encounters.

For the 1-4 semifinals, Hungary takes on Greece and Montenegro faces Spain as these four teams aim for advantageous rankings in the finals series.

Match Reports

Quarterfinal Highlights:

• Hungary vs Georgia (21-10): Hungary displayed superior strategy and execution, gaining an early lead and maintaining control throughout the match.
• Greece vs Japan (20-16): Greece overcame a strong start from Japan with an impressive comeback in the third quarter to secure their spot in the semifinals.

• USA vs Montenegro (7-15): Montenegro's solid performance ensured their semifinal place, effectively outmaneuvering the USA team.
• Croatia vs Spain (14-15): In a nail-biting match, Spain managed to seal victory at the last moment, despite Croatia's persistent efforts to level the game.

Key Performances & Insights

• Hungary showcased exceptional teamwork, with standout performances from Ekler, Angyal, and Vigvari.
• Greece demonstrated resilience and adaptability, particularly effective in counter-attacks.
• Montenegro emphasized their defensive strength and strategic play.
• Spain proved their mettle under pressure with tactical precision.

What's Next?

Teams advance to classification matches, with crucial games determining their fate in the finals:

Day 6 Schedule:

• Classification 9-12 Semifinal:
• Serbia vs France
• Classification 5-8 Semifinals:
• Georgia vs Japan
• USA vs Croatia
• Classification 1-4 Semifinals:
• Hungary vs Greece
• Montenegro vs Spain