MADRID, 3 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish men’s water polo team won its first World Cup this morning, in the tournament held in Longe Beach (United States), after beating Italy with authority (10-4), which they dried up with the great performances of Álvaro Granados and Felipe Perrone in attack and Unai Aguirre under sticks.
With the strong rivalry that always surrounds a Spain-Italy match, David Martin’s men, who had just beaten Germany in the quarterfinals (18-9) and Hungary in the semifinals (10-8), confirmed their good moment with a powerful defense. The start was brilliant with a partial key of 5-1 in the first quarter, in which Aguirre was crucial, ending the duel with a 73% success rate in saves.
Di Somma closed the gap shortly after the start of the second quarter, but it was only a mirage, given the Spanish decision. Sanahuja and Granados, in superiority, made it 7-2, but only with 3 minutes remaining, Di Fulvio brought Italy closer on the scoreboard and gave his team some hope before the break.
After the restart, Spain had to overcome a tougher and more rigid Italy, spurred on by Presciutti’s goal. David Martin’s men continued with their plan and did not collapse, led by Munárriz, Perrone and De Toro, protagonists of a 3-0 run that made them caress the gold with the final quarter to go.
In that last act, Spain curdled a defensive exhibition, leaving only 4 goals -from 30 shots- to an Italy that had scored 20 against Romania and 15 against the United States in this World Cup. A performance to frame the Spaniards to win their first World Cup, a tournament in which they had won five medals -5 bronzes-, but none of gold.
Felipe Perrone was named MVP of the final against Italy, while Unai Aguirre was the best goalkeeper of the tournament; David Martín, best coach and the Italian Di Somma, MVP of the tournament.
The Spanish team, current world champion, has not gotten off the podium since 2018. David Martin’s pupils, with another metal, will be one of the favorites for the Fukuoka World Cup, which is held between July 14 and 30 and where they must defend the crown and get a ticket for the Paris Games.