On the closing day of the 17th FINA Men’s Water Polo World Championship Australia finshed 7th after beating Russia. Montenegro beat Italy with its extra goalkeeper performance.
For the 7th place:
Russia-Australia 7-10 (3-4, 2-2, 1-3, 1-1)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Ivanovski (MNG), Ohme (GER)
Russia: Korneev – Merkulov 2, Nagaev, Suchkov, Kholod 3, Lisunov 1, Shepelev. Subs: Lazarev, Vasilyev, Dereviankin 1, Bugaychuk, Ashaev. Head Coach: Sergey Evstigneev
Australia: Hrysanhtos – G. Ford, Edwards 2, Gilchrist 1, Younger 2, A. Ford 1, Hollis 1. Subs: Putt 1, Kayes 1, Power 1, Fannon. Head Coach: Elvis Fatovic
Photos: Máté Balogh/Bp2017
Australia proved to be more dynamic during the match for the 7th place, Elvis Fatovic’s team even was leading with the score of 4-2, closing the second quarter with a one goal advance. Kholod equalised the score soon (4-4), but Lachlan Edwards scored a spinning goal, the centre players stood out during the whole match.
In the middle break the Australians were leading by one goal, soon increasing it to three (5-8), a score they managed to keep up till the end of the third quarter.
They could even increase their lead, with the score of 10-6, the 7th place seemed to be settled. Russia couldn’t break through and the team couldn’t take advantage of their extramen situations. The final score is 10-7. Australia achieved their highest rank since 1998.
Later:
For the 5th place
Montenegro-Italy 5-4 (1-1, 1-1, 3-2, 0-0)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Stavridis (GRE), Buch (ESP)
Montenegró: Scepanovic – Drasko Brguljan 3, Petkovic, Draskovic 2, D. Radovic, Misic, Cuckovic. Subs: Banicevic, Darko Brguljan, A. Radovic, Ukropina, Murisic. Head coach: Vladimir Gojkovic
Italy: Tempesti – Di Fulvio, Gitto, Fondelli, Renzuto Iodice 1, Aicardi, N. Presciutti. Subs: Volarevic (gk), Figlioli, Mirarchi 2, Nora, Bodegas 1, Bertoli. Head coach: Alessandro Campagna
Finishing 5th has become a matter of the goalkeepers' performance as Milos Stepanovic, and on the other side Goran Volarevic and Stefano stimpesti all showed us an impressive performance today. The goalkeeper of Montenegro saved eleven shots out of fifteen, a rate of 73%, Volarevic had 67% (6/9) and Tempesti 78% (7/9).
Drasko Brguljan was an important player as he shot three goals from the five hits of the team of Montenegro, he played excellently and led the renewed team with determination.
Just as in Kazan, Montenegro finished 5th in Budapest, but the Italian team performed worse than two years ago.
t the bronze match:
Serbia - Greece – 15:00
In the final:
Hungary - Croatia – 20:30
