The first quarter-final of men’s water polo tournament started really tense and was extremely exciting until the third quarter, but in the end, Hungary was able to come away with the win, which means they will play a world championship final on their home field.
Greece scored the first goal of the game, but Hungary equalized immediately with a goal from Balázs Erdélyi. Both teams played well on defence in the first quarter, but Hungary was able to take the lead with a wonderful backhanded goal from Hosnyánszky, which might as well be the goal of the tournament.
1st semifinal
Greece-Hungary 5-7 (1-2, 3-3, 0-1, 1-1)
Hajós Alfréd Swimming Complex, referees: Naumov (Russian), Buch (Spanish)
Görögország: Flegkas – Genidouinas 3, Fountoulis 2, Argyropoulos, Kolomvos, Gounas, Vlachopoulos. Subs: Delakas, Dervisis, Kapotsis, Pontikeas, Mourikis. Head coach: Theodoros Vlachos
Magyarország: Nagy V. – Vámos 2, Hosnyánszky 2, Erdélyi 1, Gór-Nagy 1, Varga Dénes, Hárai 1. Subs: Török, Manhercz, Zalánki, Decker Á., Mezei. Head coach: Tamás Märcz
Later, in the 2nd semi-final:
Serbia-Croatia 11-12 (1-1, 4-4, 4-4, 2-3)
Greece started the second quarter better with goals from top scorer Fountoulis and Genidounias, who scored three of the four first half goals from Greece. Hungary was down by one but eventually won the first half 5-4 with a goal by Hárai when there were only five seconds on the clock.
There was only one goal in the third period, Márton Vámos was on fire after his big shot. Greece hit the post a couple of times so they were a bit unlucky this time. Hosnyanszky increased Hungary's lead to 3 goals at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Viktor Nagy made some spectacular saves in the second half and there were a couple of big field blocks as well, so Hungary defended extremely well, they didn't concede a single goal in the second half until the last second.
So Hungary won 7-5 and they will have a chance for the gold medal against either Serbia or Croatia and they will have the home field advantage on Saturday.
29 July, Saturday
For the 7th place
12:00 – Australia-Russia
For the 5th place
13:30 – Montenegro-Italy
Bronze game
15:00 – Greece-Serbia
Final
20:30 – Hungary-Croatia
