Maiden men’s water polo gold for Serbia

AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Serbia defeated bitter rivals and defending champions Croatia 11-7 to win the men’s Olympic water polo gold medal for the first time on Saturday.
In a repeat of last year’s World Championship final, Serbia came out on top again with Dusan Mandic top scoring on four goals.
Italy won the bronze medal beating Montenegro, who finished fourth for the third Games in a row, 12-10.
The victory wasn’t as comprehensive as last year’s worlds final in Kazan, where Serbia won 11-4, but they were nonetheless in control from the second period. Leading 3-2 after the first period, Serbia stretched that to 6-3 by the end of the second and Croatia never got any closer than that over the second half.
Montenegro-born Mandic was on fire as Serbia proved far more accurate in front of goal, converting 11 of 24 shots.
Despite a hat-trick from Sandro Sukno, Croatia’s record of seven goals from 30 shots told its own story.
Although, in truth, goalkeeper Marko Bijac had a poor game, saving just five of 13 shots before being pulled for Josip Pavic, whose two saves from five shots was only marginally better.
But for Serbia it was a first Olympic crown since the dissolution of the old Yugoslavia, winners of back to back gold medals in 1984 and 1988. 

 

Maiden mens water polo gold for Serbia

AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Serbia defeated bitter rivals and defending champions Croatia 11-7 to win the mens Olympic water polo gold medal for the first time on Saturday. In a repeat of last years World Championship final, Serbia came out on top again with Dusan Mandic top scoring on four goals. Italy won the bronze medal beating Montenegro, who finished fourth for the third Games in a row, 12-10. The victory wasnt as comprehensive as last years worlds final in Kazan, where Serbia won 11-4, but they were nonetheless in control from the second period. Leading 3-2 after the first period, Serbia stretched that to 6-3 by the end of the second and Croatia never got any closer than that over the second half. Montenegro-born Mandic was on fire as Serbia proved far more accurate in front of goal, converting 11 of 24 shots. Despite a hat-trick from Sandro Sukno, Croatias record of seven goals from 30 shots told its own story. Although, in truth, goalkeeper Marko Bijac had a poor game, saving just five of 13 shots before being pulled for Josip Pavic, whose two saves from five shots was only marginally better. But for Serbia it was a first Olympic crown since the dissolution of the old Yugoslavia, winners of back to back gold medals in 1984 and 1988.