Spain knocks down Croatia and launches for its first gold in the European

The goals of Tahull and Munrriz and the stops of Lpez Pinedo grant the pass to the final, where Hungra awaits (D / 19: 00 h.)

Spain had to grit his teeth and fight, but on Sunday he fought for the men's water polo title at the European Hungra. The selection led by David Martn was finally imposed on a Croatia that succumbed to the stops of Dani Lpez Pinedo, the arm of Alberto Munrriz, author of three goals, and the two of lvaro Granados, the most effective in an attack where Miguel also appeared de Toro, Adri Delgado, Felipe Perrone and Roger Tahull.

The goalkeepers, Dani Lpez Pinedo and Marko Bijak, were the main protagonists of a first quarter in which both defenses were extremely cold. Only Marko Macan was able to beat the Spanish goalkeeper. Under the other sticks, Bijak signed great interventions before an attack without a toe during those eight minutes.

Things changed diametrically in the second quarter. Spain found a way to beat a Bijak whose performance dropped several integers. As much as it cost him to take advantage of his superiorities, David Martn's team signed a partial 4-3. Alvaro Granados, with a pitch that was slightly deflected by a defender, opened the way. Miguel de Toro, in a good action against the goalkeeper, Alberto Munirriz and Adri Delgado, these last two menacing and exhausting Bijak, seconded him.

Tremendous equality

Croatia, however, took advantage of its greater effectiveness in superiority to match the score again and again as soon as Spain managed to get ahead, after Andro Buslje placed 1-2. Bukic, with a pitch that played in Miguel de Toro, and Loncar will be in charge of scoring for 4-4 before starting a third quarter in which, once again, equality will be imposed.

Spain, again, was able to take the initiative even twice, through a powerful distant launch by Alberto Munrriz and another by Felipe Perrone. Lpez Pinedo managed to thwart the first attack with a good stop, but nothing could be done to prevent Lovre Milos and Luka Bukic from raising 5-5 and 6-6. The hypothetical Spanish physical superiority seemed of little use.

The defense, again frustrates in the last quarter, and the greater effectiveness of Spain when it comes to looking for shooting solutions turned out to be quite decisive to boost the team that trains David Martn to a maximum difference (9-7) at the crucial moment .

Hungra, last rival

Alvaro Granados, Roger Tahull and, again, Alberto Munrriz were responsible for materializing a few that, added to another great stop by Dani Lpez Pinedo, sentenced the pass to the final. It is of no importance that Maro Jokovic equals momentarily with a throw stuck to the stick or that Ante Vukicevik narrowed things down at sunset.

On Sunday (7:00 p.m.), the team fought for gold at the Duna Arena in Budapest against Hungra, who left the road to Montenegro (8-10). A tough commitment to the hosts, against whom it was already measured on the second day of the group stage. Then, only one goal from Gergo Zalanki 40 seconds from the end avoided the visiting victory (11-11).