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All about the first water polo matches in Rio 2016

Gold champion countries encountered themselves in close results during the first day of the men’s water polo tournament at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Including the narrow and exciting match between Hungary and Serbia.

Hungary had to face last year’s gold champion Serbia, during the first match of the men’s water polo tournament in Rio 2016.  The countries met a tight match that showed a winning Hungary for the first quarter of the game until Serbia showed it’s gold-champion skills. Until halftime, Hungary had the winning ticket on their side of the pool, but the game switched when Serbia decided to put shot-stopper, Gojko Pijetlovic in the goalie area.

Croatia and Greece have qualified for men’s water polo tournament at Rio 2016 Olympic Games so far. Image Credit: Swimming World Mag

The countries were 9-6 for Hungary until Serbia scored a goal and the countries went full speed.

The most exciting part of the match came during the final minutes when Marton Vamos from Hungary scored with two minutes left on the clock, and Serbia scored during the last 10 seconds of the game, ending with a 13 to 13 tie.

The results of the match shocked those who believed Serbia as the  2015 World Champions had a secure win over Hungary, who has proven through the year’s to be a good contender in the pool. Serbia will now have to face Greece on Monday at 8:00 a.m (East Time) as for Hungary, Australia will be their rival on Monday at 12:00 p.m.

Narrow matches in the water 

On Sunday, several countries faced each other at the 2016 Rio Olympics including the United States team vs. Croatia who had a close game with a 3 to 3 tie for the first part of the match.

A shot from inside the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre in Rio de Janeiro where all aquatic events will take place. Image Credit: Rio 2016

The match ended in behalf of Croatia after players Maro Jokovic and Andelo Setka led the countries victory with two goals each. The country will now have to face Montenegro on Monday, while the U.S will face Spain at 10:40 a.m on Monday. Other games included Italy vs. Spain who ended in a close 9 to 8 for Italy after the Italian goalkeeper stopped a Spanish shot in the last seconds of the match.

Greece beat Japon 8 to 7. Meanwhile, Montenegro had a long-shot against France winning 7 to 4. Brazil played against Australia and made their home-country proud winning 8 to 7 to the Aussies. On Monday, Brazil will have to face Japan, and Australia will have to face gold-champion Hungary at 12:00 p.m

Hungary is facing the public’s pressure on winning this year’s water polo tournament and taking the gold home since their last Olympic’s medal in 1996.

Source: NBC Olympics

Categories: Sports
Maria Gabriela Méndez:
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