MEN’S WPWL 2016: EUROPEAN POWERHOUSES WIN IN ROUND 1

The FINA Water Polo World League 2016 kicked-off on Tuesday October 21, with the men’s European preliminaries home-and-away games.

The season started well for Balkan powerhouses Serbia and Croatia, gold and silver medallists at both FINA World Championships 2015 in Kazan and at the 2015 edition of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League.

The Serbian team has collected all titles at stake since 2014, namely: the FINA World Cup 2014, the FINA World Leagues 2014/2015 and the FINA Worlds, while neighbour Croatia triumphed at the last Olympic Games in London 2012.

In first round of the 2016 Water Polo World League yesterday night, Group A’s Serbia defeated France in Belgrade (12-9) as Andrija Pralainovic scored four goals alone becoming the best scorer of the match. Captain Filp Filipovic sent three successful shots.

Group C’s Croatia crushed Turkey in Sibenik (CRO) 19-6, totalising three points. Players scoring the most goals were Antonio Petkovic, Marino Cagalj and Ante Vukicevic (three goals each).

To complete the Balkan success Montenegro defeated Spain 11-6 and traditional powerhouses Hungary, Greece and Italy also confirmed their favourite status. Hungary played Georgia (17-10), Greece crushed Romania (17-3) and Italy won in Moscow against the Russian team (16-11).

MEN’S WPWL 2016: EUROPEAN POWERHOUSES WIN IN ROUND 1

Provisional rankings:
GROUP A: HUN 3 pts (1W); GRE 3 (1W); GEO 0 (1L); ROU 0 (1L)
GROUP B: SRB 3 pts (1W); MNE 3 (1W); FRA 0 (1L); ESP 0 (1L)
GROUP C: CRO 3 pts (1W); ITA 3 (1W); TUR 0 (1L); RUS 0 (1L)

The Intercontinental tournament will take place from February 16-21, 2016 (city TBC) and the Super Final will be held in June, from 21-26, 2016

FINA.ORG

WORLD CHAMPION HUNGARY MEETS ROMANIA

FINA

The second round of games is underway in Europe for the 2015 edition of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League. On December 9, Group A’s Greece defeated Slovakia 10-16 (4-4, 0-4, 3-5, 3-3) in Novaky (SVK); 2014 FINA World Cup and World League winners Serbia crushed Germany 10-19 (4-3, 2-5, 3-6, 1-5) in Hamburg (GER, Group B); in Montpellier (FRA), reigning Olympic champions Croatia beat France 7-14 (2-5, 0-4, 4-3, 1-2).

In the two most tight games of the day, 2012 Olympic runner-up Italy edged 2013 World silver medallists Montenegro 13-15 (3-1, 3-4, 1-4, 4-2, 2:4) after penalties in Budva (MNE, Group C) while an upbeat Russian team stunned 2012 World League runner-up Spain 11-14 (4-2, 4-3, 1-3, 2-6) in Terrassa (ESP).

On December 10, current World champions Hungary will play Romania in Miskolc (HUN) at 18:25 (local time) for the last game of round 2. The third round is scheduled for December 29, 2014 in Rijeka (CRO vs MNE) and February 2, 2015 in Istanbul (TUR vs FRA).

Among women, the second round will take place on December 16, 2014 with the following match-ups: HUN vs ITA in Szentes (HUN); FRA vs RUS in Montreuil (FRA); NED vs ESP in Utrecht (NED) and GER vs GRE in Krefeld (GER).