Greece’s men’s water polo team defeated Italy 9-8 on Monday, August 5, to secure its spot in the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics.
Led by Stylianos Argyropoulos (four goals) and Emmanouil Zerdevas (14 saves), Greece secured first place in Group A, as the USA defeated Croatia 14-11 in the last game of the round.
The match between Italy and Greece was close. At the start, Greece did not have good percentages but found solutions from the perimeter, while the Italians took better advantage of the penalties won but struggled to threaten in the straights. Somehow, a fragile balance was created, with the Greek team ending the first half 6-5, thanks to three goals by Argyropoulos.
Italy’s Lorenzo Bruni, with his third personal goal, equalised the match at the beginning of the third period and then the attacks slowed down. The players of both teams looked tired and out of ideas. Greece remained “unbeatable” for the entire eight minutes, but the last period started from 6-6.
Thanks to a penalty won with tremendous energy at 2 metres, Konstantinos Kakaris and Konstantinos Genidounias “unstuck” the national team after about ten minutes, but Francesco Condemi “answered” immediately.
The “blue and white” regained the lead with Argyropoulos, Matteo Iocchi Gratta equalised, but Ioannis Fountoulis capitalised before the end, for 9-8.
Greece will next face Serbia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, August 7 at 11.35pm (AEST).
Source: Zougla.
