RIO DE JANEIRO The Rio water polo tournament gave the Serbian men’s team their first Olympic gold after sweeping almost every world and regional title and crowned a fiercely dominant USA women’s team with a second straight Games title.
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Croatia has now gone almost six years since defeating Serbia in a men’s water polo tournament, a streak dating back to September 2010 in the semifinals of the European Championships.
In a water polo final marked by determined play in front of both goals, Serbia showed superiority in finishing chances. Also, goalkeeper Branislav Mitrovic contributed immensely to the team’s victory with highly impressive blocks that kept the Croatian side out. Filipovic was elected the most valuable player of the tournament. The team finally proved its dominance on the most prestigious stage.
The Serbians, who came to Rio as the defending world champions and clear gold medal favorites, tied their first two games against Hungary and Greece and lost to host Brazil 6-5 in the third game.
“Let’s say we want this from the whole beginning of our careers”. We trained so hard, and we suffered so much.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – When it was all over, when they had the title they had coveted for years, Serbia’s jubilant players hung the country’s flag over one of the floating cages in the pool.
Before the knock-out rounds, Serbia ran the risk of elimination and it looked like the unthinkable could happen early in the 12-team tournament. The team’s jittery performances began with two draws and a loss.
Croatia coach Ivica Tucak was the assistant to Ratko Rudic when Croatia won gold four years ago in London.
The third quarter was similar to the first two with Serbia’s defence, keeper Mitrović and the crossbar halting Croatia get any momentum at all. They have also been crowned European champions twice (2014 and 2016) and the only medal missing from their collection is the one they aim to win on Saturday: Olympic gold.
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After its men won the water polo, Serbia’s women’s volleyball will take on China in the gold medal match later on Saturday, following their upset of the United States. They have already captured bronze in women’s basketball, defeating France.
