Spanish water polo returns to take a bath of gold, 21 years later. The team led by David Martín culminated a perfect World Cup in Budapest with a dramatic victory on penalties in the final against Italy (14-15), its recurrent black beast, which had separated it from the last world gold two years ago in Gwangju. On this occasion, the Spanish came through, led by an immense goalkeeper Unai Aguirre, who saved two penalties.
The gold in Budapest, the third World Cup won by Spain after Perth 1998 and Fukuoka 2001, represents the consecration of a generation led by Felipe Perrone who has grown enormously in the last five years, since David Martín took over the reins and regenerated the team. Los Granados, Munárriz, Mallarach, Tahull, De Toro, Larumbe, Aguirre… -hard-working and talented young players- have reached the optimum point of maturation and competitiveness after playing 4 finals of the last 6 major tournaments (European, World Cups and Games). ).
In Budapest, Spain has long been the best team, since the debut against Canada, the last and decisive group match against Italy to avoid the round of 16, the quarterfinals with Montenegro, the semifinal against Croatia, and the final, against the uncomfortable Italy , which was not easy to beat, despite the precedent of a few days ago.
Spain started phenomenally with a 0-2 in two and a half minutes, with goals from Granados in a superb counterattack and from Munárriz, an income of 2 that raised with Munárriz 1-3 with a missile to the base of the post. But in a disconcerting final minute of the quarter, Unai Aguirre, who had made two saves, conceded two goals in a row, from Cannella and Bruni, who tied the game by closing the set (3-3).
In the second quarter, Spain gave a twist to its excellent defense, its identity watchword, Aguirre lowered the blind, and Granados (2) and Tahull shot the score to 3-6 to go to halftime with the final on track.
And better than it was with Perrone’s 3-7 at the beginning of the third quarter, a 4 that was the best lead against Italy. But he couldn’t be trusted. The old fox Alessandro Campagna changed goalkeeper, bringing in Gianmarco Nicosia, and it had an effect: the goalkeeper began to save, linked 5 saves in the remainder of the fourth, and Italy came close to two goals (6-8).
In the final quarter, Spain bottomed out after Famera recovered the 3 (6-9) at the start. Martín’s team ran aground in attack, did not connect a single ball circulation, and conceded a 3-0 that made it 9-9 that led to penalties. No extension.
A gold played in the lottery of penalties. Perrone, Granados scored, Aguirre stopped Cannella, but Munárriz failed by sending the post, Larumbe and Cabanas were right, to go 4-4. Italy changed goalkeepers, Del Lungo returned, and the round began again. Perrone hit, Damonte hit, then Granados (6-5), and when Cannella shot again, Aguirre stuck out his hand to stop the shot and send the ball into the Budapest sky. Spain bathed in gold again.
Italy: Marco del Lungo, Di Fulvio (2p), Damonte (2p), Iocchi Scratch, Fondelli (1), Cinnamon (1), Martial (1), Echenique (1p), Presciutti (2, 1p), Bruni (1 ), Di Somma (2), Dolce (1), Nicosia (ps).
Spain: Unai Aguirre, Munárriz (2), Granados (6, 2p), Sanahuja, De Toro, Larumbe (1p), Famera (1), Cabanas (1p), Tahull (1), Perrone (3, 2p), Mallarach , Bustos, Edu Lorrio (ps).
Quarters: 3-3, 3-6, 6-8, 9-9.
Penalties: 5-6 (14-15).
