The Spanish men’s water polo team this Thursday opened its participation in Sardinia Cup Italian with success by 12-11 against Croatia in the reissue of the European final in January. It was in an even match that was decided with a goal First Biel in the last bars.
In a tournament where Greece and Italy also participate, Spain continued to make references for the Paris Games after the preparatory matches played a few days ago against the United States. After a short 4-5 down, Spain always took the initiative in the match.
The start was uneventful, with Martin Famera hitting the ball on the buoy, Álvaro Granados completing a counterattack and Famera again turning a great inside ball from Felipe Perrone’s central position into a goal. But Croatia reacted with 3-0 down and reduced the deficit with goals from Konstantin Kharkov and Luka Loncar. Alberto Munarriz’s diving shot from position three made it 4-2, but Kharkov gained position on Granados to make it 4-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Rino Buric tied it with a central shot in the second quarter. Even Marko Zuvela put Croatia ahead from the same position after a deflection by a Spanish defender. But Alberto Munarriz and Marc Larumbe with two good shots regained the initiative at 6-5 before Martin Famera from five positions and Rino Buric facing the buoy at the last second made it 7-6 at halftime.
Unai Aguirre stepped up in the third quarter where it took Spain four and a half minutes to find the goal. He did it thanks to Unai Biel with a shot from four positions that found the short post. Marko Biljaka responded with more efficiency, but a vaseline of Sergi Cabanas made it 9-7 from five to the far post where the last part is reached.
Álvaro Granados seems to have sentenced him to punishment, but nothing could be further from the truth. Rino Buric from three, Loren Fatovic on a rebound for a stick play and him again after Famera’s third ejection to make it 10-10. Spain did not give in to the sentiment: Granados appeared from the position of three and a steal on defense I expect a superiority modified by Unai Biel. Thus, Luka Bukic reduced the gap to 12-11, giving the Spanish team the victory.
So Spain started its stay in the Italian lands on the right foot. The local team awaits this Friday (8:45 pm) in the second match of this tournament with other great teams on the world stage.
Source: La Verdad
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