(21 July 1996; Day 2)
Italy came into the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games as the heavy gold-medal favorite. The Italians are, after all, the defending Olympic Games champion.
Hungary, a team that has won more water polo medals (12) than any other nation, including six gold medals, would like to add one more prize to the precious collection. The Hungarians have not medaled since capturing a bronze medal at the 1980 Olympic Games. Hungary is the defending World Cup champion, having upset Italy in the gold medal match.
Because Italy and Hungary were placed in two different brackets (Hungary is in A and Italy in B), the two teams could only possibly meet in a later round.
After two days of preliminary competition, Hungary is one of two teams undefeated in the bracket (Spain being the other). The Hungarian team is 2-0 having won both games in spectacular fashion and by the slimmest of all margin.
Hungary came from behind to defeat Russia in the first game for both teams. The following day, Hungary defeated Germany in similar fashion, winning 9-8.
The key player in both contests was Tamas KASAS, as he scored the winning goal in both games.
KASAS is just 20 years old as of 20 July, and is the youngest player on the national team. He has been playing on the team for the last three years but plays with "much experience" as the team's coach, Gyorgy HORKAI gives the youngster high praises. "He is one of the best young players in the world -- he is only 20 years old but plays with much experience."
Hungary ended up defeating Russia in the last eight seconds of the game when KASAS received the feed. "The Russian goalkeeper (Nikolai MAXIMOV) went out of the goal and I knew I had to put it in, " said the Budapest native.
Winning the game certainly boosted the confidence level among the Hungarian team. They rallied from a three-goal deficit (6-3) to tie the game at six by the conclusion of the third quarter. "It is very important (the win), said KASAS. Now we have a bigger advantage and we are stronger mentally."
HORKAI was pleased with the successful outcome of his team. "I'm very happy because we started well and we beat one of the best teams. I know that several teams have the possibility to win the gold medal and we are one of them."
Hungary led throughout its entire second game against underdog Germany, but relinquished a two-goal advantage twice.
KASAS, who paced his team with a game-high three goals, lifted his team to a hard fought 9-8 victory by scoring the winning and final goal with 2:38 remaining in the game.
The next step in Hungary's quest for an Olympic medal will be on Monday, 22 July at 16:40 versus the Netherlands (0-2).
Should Hungary stake claim to a prize of any color, KASAS will become the second member of his family to win a medal. His father, Zoltan, was a member of the silver-medal-winning water polo team at the 1972 Olympic Games.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Susan E. Fumagalli.
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