The Serbian water polo team was defeated by Hungary 12:10 (3:2, 3:2, 5:3, 1:3) in the match of the 3rd round of the World Cup qualifying tournament and it is certain that the competition in Alexandroupoli will continue in the second group, the composition of which will be known after the remaining matches today. Only the winner of that group will secure a place in the final tournament, which will be played in Sydney from 22 to 26 July.
Although the Hungarians were leading the whole time, Serbia almost came close to getting back into the game in the final minutes. In the last attack, an action was taken over Milojević who was obstructed in a clear position. Vogel won the ball, the referees were silent, which caused great protests from our team on the bench and in the pool. Peterac would not have been a wrong decision. Fekete then scored an empty goal as Serbia was without a goalkeeper in that attack.
Stefan Ćirić led the team from the bench in the absence of the suspended coach Stevanović. Stevanović was suspended for three games, while Petar Jakšić was suspended for two games.
The favorite was the Hungarian team with 11 players who won silver in Belgrade. Despite their great fighting spirit, the rejuvenated Serbian team eventually lost track of the team that wanted at least some kind of revenge for the matches lost in the Arena.
The start was even, the impression was spoiled after the excellent goal by Vigvari Vince in the last second for Hungary’s lead 3:2. Trtović equalized in the first attack, and then the Hungarians again gained plus two for the first time through Vigvari and the skillful Tatrai.
After a long break, the rival escaped with a three-goal difference. Although Glušac had the best defense in the tournament, the player was more correct on the Serbian side and the player was less than good, the Hungarian attack found a way to punish the mistakes. Gladović threatened with two goals, Serbia reduced the score to 8:7, but by the end the opponents had scored three times. Like Vigvari in the first quarter and Salaj was the scorer for 11:7 in the last second.
It seemed that everything was over, but Serbia went for all or nothing. The player worked harder, Murisic, Lukic and Milojevic brought the drama back. Hungary led by a goal difference 68 seconds before the end. Serbia defended, went on the attack to equalize, and then the moment described at the beginning of the text came.
Hungary qualified for Sydney. Serbia will await its rivals in the second group after the matches: Greece – Netherlands, Croatia – Italy and Spain – USA.
Serbia – Hungary 10:12 (2:3, 2:3, 3:5, 3:1)
Referees: Margeta (Slovenia), Segurana (Spain). Player more: Serbia 9 (5), Hungary 7 (2). Peterci: Hungary 2 (2)
Serbia: Misovic, Pljevancic, Stanojevic, Lukic 3, Lazic, Milojevic, Trtovic 1, Jaksic, Murisic 2, Gladovic 2, Krstic, Dimitrijevic, Glusac, Martinovic 1.
Hungary: Csoma, Tatray 1, Dala, Linweber, Vince Vigvari 4, Nagy 1, Fekete 3, Burian, Nemet, Wendel Vigvari, Szalay 1, Vogel, Vizmeg 1, Varga 1.
