Serbia is in the semi-finals of the European Championship in Belgrade. In a match that will once again be included in the collection of great Serbian water polo matches, they defeated world vice-champion Hungary 15:14 (4:4, 4:3, 5:1, 2:6). A match that was decided after three quarters, but it was also a match in which the Arena crowd trembled until the last second.
Serbia will play against Montenegro in two days and think about the semifinals, a great Hungarian team will play with Spain for a place. Nikola Jakšić shone, followed by the phenomenal Glušac, Mandić waited for his moment, Ćuk fooled Vogel in the third half who had to be replaced and when it didn’t work twice, Strahinja Rašović scored in the last eight minutes
What a first quarter, while the Serbs realized that the game was going on, the Hungarians were leading 3:0 after 110 seconds. Nikola Jakšić saw where it was leading, he started as only he knows how. He reduced the score to Viktor Rašović’s assist with a player more and then at 1:4 he forced a five-pointer for Mandić’s goal. The Hungarians stopped, Sava Randđelović converted Strahinja Rašović’s pass to make it 3:4. Then referee Schwartz annoyed everyone in the hall, he did not react to Randđelović’s kick. In the last second, the almighty Jakšić equalized with a player more.
The crowding continued, the pace was fierce. Against a team known for its speed and explosiveness, the Serbian team played in the same way. Glušac defended well, rewarding the great fighting spirit of the defense. In the attack, Martinović brought the first lead 5:4, followed by two quick goals from the Hungarians, one from a counterattack by Jančík after a mistake by the Serbian attack. Lazić equalized with another assist from Viktor Rašović. By the time of the break, Petar Jakšić and Mandić had secured an 8:7 advantage. The Hungarians had an excellent Nađ, but mistakes in defense annoyed Varga. The Israeli in white was also on his target, referee Schwartz for whom this was too much of a challenge. In the end, fortunately, it had no impact on the result
Ćuk was the first to break the plus-two mark, Vogel was in great trouble. He returned the brilliant Nađ but then Serbia stepped up the gas. Jakšić almost got the ball into the goal and then Dedović used the extra player for 11:8. The game became a problem for the Hungarians. After three potatoes at the beginning, Glušac took care of everything, Vogel disappeared before the Serbian shots. Ćuk again broke him up, and then Vico earned a five-pointer for another Mandić goal and a big 13:8 before the last part. It was a brilliant eight minutes for Stevanović’s team.
Manherz immediately reduced the lead, and then Glušac took the lead off the Hungarian striker. Varga started with a new goalkeeper, looking for quick shots. Serbia was patient but without a goal from two situations with an extra player. Vince Vigvari reduced the lead to 13:10 with 5.18 minutes left. Kovač used the extra player for only two goals difference for Serbia, which had no attack. Halfway through the quarter it was 13:11. Everything was in the game. Strahinja Rašović broke the streak with the first goal 3.27 minutes left. Nađ played alone and reduced the lead to 14;12, There was then a scuffle in the pool. A large number of Hungarian players ended up in the water. The epilogue of VAR was a red card for Lukić. The Serbian game disappeared, Varga’s team got an extra player two minutes before the end. Everything was going their way. Serbia had only a goal to spare 100 seconds before the end. And then Strahinja Rašović again. In the last second with a player more, 69 seconds before the end it was 15:13. Fekete took advantage of the player more 40 seconds before the end. Serbia held the ball until the end of the attack and then in the remaining ten seconds withstood a Hungarian attack that did not even end with a shot.
Hungary – Serbia 14:15 (4:4, 3:4, 1:5, 6:2)
Arena Pool. Referees Margeta (Slovenia) and Schwartz (Israel). Player more Hungary 9 (7), Serbia 14 (9). Peterci: Serbia 2 (2).
Hungary: Csoma, Anjal 1, Manherc 1, Ve. Vigvari 2, Nagy 4, Fekete 1, Kovacs 1, V. Vigvari 1, Janczyk 2, Bytyzy, Vogel (seven defense), Vizmeg, Varga.
Serbia: Filipović, Mandić 3, S. Rašović 2, Randđelović 1, Ćuk 2, Lazić 1, N.Jakšić 3, Vico, Dedović 1, P.Jakšić 1, V.Rašović, Glušac (14 saves), Martinović 1, Lukić.
