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Olympic Water Recaps: 26 July (Day 7)

Water Polo/Quarterfinals

USA vs. ESP

United States Ousted by Spain in Quarterfinals

The United States suffered its first loss since the opening round against Italy, falling to

Spain outscored the United States 5-1 in the first three quarters of the game as five different Spaniards tallied goals.

Spain reeled off four straight goals in two quarters before Jeremy LASTER stopped the scoring draught with the first score for the United States late in the second quarter. Chris OEDING scored consecutive goals in the final stanza, trimming Spain's lead to 2 points (5-3). Gavin ARROYO, with 2 seconds remaining on the clock, fired in the last goal for the host country.

OEDING'S two goals was a game-high.

Spain (4-2) becomes the third team to advance to the semifinals and will face undefeated Hungary (six wins) at 19:00 on 27 July. The United States (4-2) which is no longer in medal contention, will play Greece (2-4) at 15:00 on 27 July.

Final Score: ESP 5, USA 4.


Water Polo/Quarterfinals

Russia vs. Italy

Italy Remains Undefeated Heading into Semifinals

Italy clinched the final semifinal playoff spot by virtue of a 11-9 water polo victory over Russia at the Olympic Games.

Italy's Roberto CALCATERRA put his team on the board first with a goal just a minute into the game. Russia got its first lead of the game (4-3) when Alexandre ERYSHOV scored consecutive goals, but with 13.8 seconds remaining, Italy's Leonardo SOTTANI knotted back up the game at four.

The two team's would trade goals in the second and third quarters until Alessandro BOVA put Italy on top for the first time since the opening minute of the game, and for good with just over a minute remaining in the third. In all, the game had eight ties.

Italy built up its largest lead of the game in the fourth quarter, 3 points (11-8), when Luca GIUSTOLISI tallied his second goal of the game.

In addition to BOVA, GIUSTOLISI and ANGELINI'S two goals, Carlo SILIPO pitched in with a pair. Russia's ERYSHOV and Ilia KONSTANTINOV both had two goals in the game.

Leading Russia was ERYSHOV and Ilia KONSTANTINOV both had two goals.

Italy (6-0) will play Croatia on 27 July at 20:40, and Russia (2-3-1) will matchup with Yugoslavia (3-2-1) at 16:40.

Final Score: ITA 11, RUS 9


Water Polo Semifinal 2/Game 4

Croatia Defeats Yugoslavia

Dubravko SIMENC and Perica BUKIC scored three and two goals, respectively to lead Croatia to an 8-6 water polo victory over Yugoslavia. Croatia is the second semifinalist in the Olympic Games tournament.

Yugoslavia was led by Mirko VICEVIC and Veljko USKOKOVIC, who both had two goals in the game.

BUKIC put Croatia on the board within the first 30 seconds of the game but Yugoslavia retaliated just as quick with a score by USKOKOVIC. That was the only tie of the game. Croatia proceeded to outscore Yugoslavia 4-1 in the half and maintained a two goal margin throughout the game.

VICEVIC pulled Yugoslavia to within one goal with just under two minutes remaining in the game with his second goal of the game, but SIMENC scored one last time for Croatia to secure the victory.

Croatia (4-2) will face the winner of the Russia versus Italy quarterfinal game on 27 July at 20:40 while Yugoslavia (3-2-1) will face the loser of that game at 16:40.


Day 7, Game 1

Germany vs. Ukraine

Germany cruises to victory

Germany rattled off 6 unanswered goals in the first of two water polo classification games en route to a 10-4 rout of the Ukraine at the Centennial Olympic Games. Germany, the fifth seed in Group A, is currently 2-4 and Ukraine, the number six seed in bracket B drops to 0-5-1 in the tournament.

Germany's Davor ERJAVEC scored a game-high two goals in the first half and teammate Dirk KLINGENBERGER matched his effort in the second half. The Ukraine's Dima STRATAN accounted for two of his team's four goals.

STRATAN was responsible for tallying Ukraine's first goal of the game to break up the shutout at halftime. Germany led at that point, 6-1. STRATAN led a 3 goal streak for Ukraine before Germany would tally 3 more times by game's end.

Germany will meet the Netherlands (1-5) on 27 July at 11:00 and Ukraine will follow at 12:40 facing Romania (0-5-1) Final Score: Germany 10, Ukraine 4


Day 7, Game 2

Netherlands vs. Romania

Netherlands wins first game of tournament

In the second of two classification games of the Olympic Games water polo tournament, the Netherlands (1-5) notched its first win with a 10-8 victory over Romania (0-5-1).

Romania's Kiviu TOTOLICI tallied 3 goals to keep his team in the contest but the Netherlands had 2 players with two goals, including Harry VAN DER MEER and Eelco URI. VAN DER MEER is the current scoring leader in the tournament with 13 goals.

The Netherlands, leading 5-3 at the intermission, outscored Romania 4-1 in the third quarter. The scoring streak began when Marco KUNZ fired in a penalty shot for a score with 6:19 in the quarter and VAN DER MEER, scoring his second goal of the game, ended the stretch scoring with 42 seconds remaining.

Romania rallied in the final 7 minutes, outscoring the Netherlands 4-1, but the rally fell short. Vlad HAGIU and Eelco URI both scored their second goals in the game in the stanza.

The Netherlands will play 2-4 Germany at 11:00 in another classification game of the tournament while Romania plays winless Ukraine (0-5-1) at 12:40. Final Score: the Netherlands 10, Romania 8


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