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Olympic Water Polo Recaps: 28 July (Day 9)

Gold Medal Game

ESP vs. CRO

Spain Collects First Gold in Water Polo

There will be dancing in the streets of Barcelona tonight. A three-goal production by captain Manuel ESTIARTE (ESP), helped lead Spain to its first gold medal in Olympic water polo history. Croatia, in its first Olympic competition, led at the end of the second period 3-1. Back-to-back goals by ESTIARTE tied the game at fours with 2:55 left in the third period. Jordi SANS gave Spain its first lead at 5-4 with 1:26 remaining in the third period. A scrappy Croatia team tied the score at five with 0:21 left in the third on a blistering shot by captain Perica BUKIC (CRO). Spain scored two unanswered goals at 5:59 and 4:54 remaining in the fourth period, sparking a victory celebration which featured the entire coaching staff jumping into the pool. Pedro GARCIA (ESP) scored the first on a rebound off a missed shot, SANS scored the insurance goal. With a two- goal lead, Spain ran water polo's version of the four corners, running the 35 second shot clock out with each position. Final score, Spain 7, Croatia 5.

Gold, (ESP), Silver (CRO)


Bronze Medal Game

HUN vs. ITA

Italy Wins Bronze in Shoot-out

In a high scoring affair in which a capacity crowd witnessed 38 goals, It took an extra six minutes of play before Italy defeated Hungary 20 to 18 tp win the Olympic water polo bronze medal. Italy won the 1992 Olympic gold medal. Hungary holds the distinction of winning 12 Olympic medals, the most ever by any nation. The Hungarians have not won a medal since 1980.

Italy's Carlo SILIPO and Alberto ANGELINI each scored four goals while Roberto CALCATERRA (ITA), Amedo POMILIO (ESP) and Leonard SOTTANI (ESP) scored three apiece. Hungary was led by Tibor BENEDEK with four goals and Tamas KASAS with three.

Bronze, (ITA), Final Score: Italy 20, Hungary 18 Overtime.


Classification Match / 11th Place

NED vs. UKR

Ukraine Finishes 12th Despite Tie

Both the Netherlands and Ukraine played valiantly in their final performances of the Olympic water polo competition at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center. Arno HAVENGA (NED) and Tolik SOLODUN (UKR) each recorded hat tricks, but it wasn't enough as the game ended in a 9-9 tie. Based on overall record, Ukraine places 12th, as they recorded no wins and one tie in the round-robin tournament. The Netherlands must wait to see the results of the Germany-Romania game to determine their final placement.

Netherlands - 9, Ukraine - 9


Classification Match / 9th Place

GER vs. ROM

Germany Finishes Ninth

Germany featured a balanced attack behind the performances of Raul DE LA PENA, Jorg DRESEL and Davor ERJAVEC, who each scored two goals. ERJAVEC scored a goal with 5:57 in the second period breaking a 2-2 tie. The goal also started a four-goal run which led Germany to a 10-6 route of Romania. Romania was paced by captain Vlad HAGIU and Liviu TOTOLICI with two goals apiece. The victory allowed Germany to finish ninth in the classification round.

Germany 10, Romania 6


Classification Match / 7th Place

USA vs. YUG

United States Finishes Seventh

A five-goal second period was the difference in the game as the United States out gunned Yugoslavia 12-8. Chris OEDING (USA) led the offensive assault with a three-goal effort. Dejan SAVIC (YUG) also recorded a hat trick for Yugoslavia. With the win, the United States finished seventh, the worst finish for the United States in 28 years. Yugoslavia has also had better success, winning gold medals in 1984 and 1988. Both times they defeated the United States.

United States 12, Yugoslavia 8


Classification Match / 5th Place

GRE vs. RUS

Russia Finishes Fifth

For the second consecutive match, Russia had to enter extra periods to defeat an opponent. Tied at 7 at the end of regulation play, Russia scored three goals in the two, three-minute overtime periods. Alexandre ERYSHOV (RUS) blistered the ball into the net with 15.6 seconds remaining in the first overtime period to break an 8-8 tie. The goal proved to be the game winner. Ilia KONSTANTINOV (RUS) scored an insurance goal with 1:20 in the final overtime period to secure fifth place in the classification round. Konstantinos LOUDIS scored three goals in Greece's losing effort.

Russia 10, Greece 8 OT

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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