Spain chained its third consecutive victory in the men’s water polo tournament, which gives it direct qualification for the quarterfinals, after defeating Australia (9-15), in a match in which the Oceanians resisted for three quarters.
In the end, David Martín’s team, brand new European champions, showed why they are one of the favorites for the final victory, with a water polo game with a great balance between attack and defense and a multitude of resources.
Spain knew that it had to face the physical power and fast swimming of the Australians, a team that was always rocky and capable of putting anyone in difficulties.
Felipe Perrone and Bernat Sanahuja rested and David Martín’s men knew how to knead the game, cook it over low heat. The ‘Aussies’ went ahead twice, with a counterattack finished off by Pavillard; balanced by Unai Biel and then a shot by Mercep (1-2).
But from then on, Spain found its buoys, specifically the Sevillian Miguel de Toro, who scored two goals of great quality to make it 2-3. Then Álvaro Granados appeared to force a penalty, converted by Fran Valera (2-4).
The set continued to grow in the second quarter, with an unstoppable long shot by Alberto Munárriz to make it 2-5. The Australians scored with a shot from Poot (3-5) and when it seemed that with a new penalty from Marc Larumbe, the game could be on the right track for Spain (3-6), the Oceanians re-emerged.
It was in two superiorities. In the first, after a prepared action after a timeout, Edwards made it 4-6 and two seconds before the break, Mercep surprised Unai Aguirre to make it 5-6.
In the third quarter, the game moved with minimal differences (7-8), until Spain took advantage of two actions of superiority. After a timeout, David Martín prepared an action that made it 7-9, after an assist from Granados to Alex Bustos; and with two seconds left, Munárriz, with a long shot after forcing an exclusion, once again put the safety line at three goals (7-10).
The 3-0 partial was completed by Bustos, with another superior goal at the far post to practically leave the game decided at the beginning of the final quarter (7-11), and Fran Valera still increased the difference with a long shot (7-12 ).
The maximum difference reached six goals (7-13, 8-14 and 9-15), after a final goal by Fran Valera. Spain will play the quarterfinals on Tuesday the 13th against a rival to be determined.
9 – Australia: Porter (Hedges); Lambie (-), Ford (-), Negus (-), Power (-), Mercep (3,1p), Pavillard (2), Byrnes (1p), Putt (-), Poot (2), Edwards (1) y Slobodien (-).
15 – Spain: Aguirre; Munárriz (3), Granados (-), De Toro (3), Larumbe (1p), Famera (1), Cabanas (-), Tahull (-), Mallarach (-), Bustos (2), Biel (2) and Valera (3, 1p).
Referees: Kun (HUN) and SpiritoSanto (USA). Eliminated: Ford.
Partials: 2-4, 3-2, 2-4, 2-5.
Incidents: Third and last match of the first phase of the men’s water polo tournament.
