The Hungarian men’s water polo team won the silver medal at the World Cup Super Final in Sydney, where it suffered a 15-14 defeat to the Greek team in Sunday’s final.
The Hungarian team came back from a three-goal deficit in the final quarter to tie the game, but their rivals secured the victory with a goal by Ferencváros star Stylianos Argyropoulos on their final attack.
The Hungarian national team finished in second place for the third consecutive major international tournament—World Championships, European Championships, and World Cup—while the Greeks celebrated their first-ever victory.
In the men’s final of the World Cup Super Final in Sydney, Greece defeated Hungary 15–14, with the quarter scores reading 5–3, 2–3, 4–4, and 4–4.
The two teams last faced each other last Thursday, when the Greeks won very comfortably, 22-16, as part of a preseason tournament.
The opening period featured a wide range of action, including several spectacular saves by both goalkeepers. During this period, the Greeks attacked more effectively, which allowed them to close out the quarter with a two-goal lead (3–5).
In the second quarter, the Hungarians’ play improved, and Kristóf Csoma made some key saves in the back, allowing Zsolt Varga’s team to catch up to their rivals at 6–6.
Although the Greeks entered the third quarter with a one-goal lead, Szilárd Jansik immediately fought his way into the lead after the restart and finished the play himself. Both teams scored a long-range goal each, and after the Greeks’ advantage was thwarted, the Hungarians also gained the upper hand. Zsolt Varga called a timeout, and Gergő Zalánki finished the play, giving the Hungarians their first lead (9–8). The Greeks regained the lead, but Vendel Vigvári tied the score again. The Greeks scored on a fast break, but the Hungarians failed to capitalize on their power play.
Early in the final eight minutes, the opponent pulled ahead by two, and things did not look good as the Hungarians failed to create a shot on two consecutive attacks. Thanks to Zalánki, the Hungarian team closed the gap with a spectacular goal, but Dimitrios Skoumpakis responded with his fourth and fifth goals (11–14).
Zalánki scored from a set play to narrow the gap, and with just over three minutes remaining, Skoumpakis could have sealed the match, but Kristóf Csoma saved his penalty shot. On the other end, the Hungarians gained a two-man advantage but failed to capitalize on the huge opportunity. Zalánki kept the game wide open with another spectacular goal. After a weak pass, Manhercz first recovered the ball and then—following a timeout called by Zsolt Varga—made up for his mistake with a spectacular goal, tying the score.
With 45 seconds left in the match, the Greeks gained a man advantage, and Argyropoulos scored an unstoppable goal off the crossbar. The Hungarians played without a goalkeeper for the final 13 seconds, but Manhercz’s shot was blocked.
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Via MTI; Featured photo: Pixabay
