The women’s water polo team, hailing nearly exclusively from California, beat Italy 12-5 on Friday for its second straight gold medal, and there are signs it could replicate the sustained success of some of America’s most famous Olympic juggernauts.
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Head coach Adam Krikorian had to leave the team two days before the Opening Ceremonies after the sudden passing of his brother in California.
It was a particularly poignant victory for US coach Adam Krikorian, who travelled home on August 3 following the death of his brother before returning ahead of the competition.
“But I don’t need a medal to know the love and respect we have for each other, the relationships that have been born”, Krikorian said.
Krikorian is beloved by his players, who rallied to his side when he returned to Rio after going home to spend time with his family, and his departure could alter the trajectory of the program.
“It was so cool that they got to see me play in this arena and in Rio for the gold medal”, said Johnson. “Because coaches don’t get them, and he deserves them”.
The U.S.is the first team to win consecutive gold medals in women’s water polo, which has been part of the Olympics since 2000. Team USA has medaled every single Games since then, as well.
Italy, who finished third in London Olympics four years ago, had to settle for their third silver medal to go with three bronzes.
In another Olympics dominated by USA women, Steffens and her teammates shined as brightly as any of them. “I didn’t have any expectations”.
Italy’s Osmany Juantorena, left, and Ivan Zaytsev celebrate a win after a men’s semifinal volleyball match against the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016.
There was less than three minutes to play in Friday’s women’s Olympic water polo final when the emotions started to kick in for Adam Krikorian.
The Americans have outscored their opponents by a 61-26 margin so far in Rio.
“It’s one of the best teams I’ve ever been a part of, and I’ve been a part of some really unbelievable teams”, Neushul said. “This team has done some special things. Their attitude, their approach reminds me a lot of just how my brother was and how he’d want us to be”. Hungary took the lead on a power play goal from Hanna Kisteleki with 3:59 to play, and for the first time in the tournament the U.S.in the unfamiliar position of being behind.
Ivanova and Olga Gorbunova scored the first two goals of the game, but Italy gradually took over.
Garibotti’s long-range goal gave Italy a 5-4 lead with 1:37 left in the first half, and it never trailed again.
Italy scored just one goal in each of the second, third and fourth quarters.
Midway through the first quarter, however, the USA fell behind 2-1 and trailed for the first time at the Games.
They came at him with two lines of coverage, just in case he had any notions of trying to elude them.
“Maybe during the game I could have played better and the team could have played better, but let’s be objective, some win and some lose,”Russia’s Alexey Verbov said. We’re all behind him”, Johnson said of Krikorian”.
Stanford grad Kiley Neushul scored three goals to lead the Americans, while Cardinal incoming freshman Mackenzie Fischer added a pair.
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Both the US and Italy are led on defense by their goalkeepers. As the crowd thundered with “U-S-A!”
