The Serbian U-16 water polo team won the bronze medal at the World Championship in Zagreb, after defeating the United States of America 13:11 (2:0, 3:3, 2:3, 2:3 – penalties 4:2) in the match for third place after the five-man team. The World Championship for players under 16 was held in Zagreb from 3 to 9 August.
Coach Vojislav Čupić’s team opened the match excellently and won the first quarter with a score of 2:0. In the second half, both teams scored three goals, so Serbia went into the break with a 5:3 advantage.
The Americans then managed to get back into the game. They won the third quarter 3:2 and reduced the deficit to 7:6 before the last six minutes, and with the same result they won the last quarter.
At the end of the regular period of the game, the scoreboard read 9:9, so the decision on the bronze medal winner was made after the execution of five-pointers.
In the penalty shootout, the young Serbian water polo players were more confident and won 4:2, for a final score of 13:11 and bronze.
The most efficient player for the Serbian national team in the regular season was Andrija Čubrilović with four goals, Uroš Munćan scored two, while Petar Frenc, Dušan Samardžić and Marko Abadžić each scored one goal.
Serbia – USA 13:11 (2:0, 3:3, 2:3, 2:3 – penalties 4:2)
SERBIA: Palezevic, Kreckovic, Guduric, Muncan 2, Milutinovic, Frenc 1, Samardzic 1, Abadzic 1, Lazic, Cubrilovic 4, Grgic, Bursac, Milosevic, Lale.
USA: Sterrett, Coleman 2, Siafaris, Marks, Taylor 5, Vigo 1, Keane, Pintaric, Shin 1, Zarku, Schneider, Burns, Lu, Palandrani.
