Spain defeats Australia and advances directly to the quarterfinals
David Martín's men, who are waiting for a rival next Tuesday, finish first in the group and avoid the round of 16 process
MADRID, 9 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish men's water polo team confirmed this Friday its first position in Group A of the water polo World Cup, which is being held in Doha, after beating Australia (9-15) in its last match of the phase, a result that It will allow you to rest in the round of 16 and advance directly to the quarterfinals.
Without two regulars such as Felipe Perrone and Bernat Sanahuja, ruled out for the clash, David Martín's men had more trouble than expected against an oceanic team that put up a fight in the first half. It was when Spain began to improve its statistics as an extra man when it managed to get rid of the Australian harassment, in the final stretch of the third quarter.
With this, they have nine points in the Preliminary Round and are guaranteed a direct pass to the quarterfinals, a round in which they will play again next Tuesday. Tim Hamill's men will meet Brazil, third in Group B, in the round of 16.
In an a priori accessible match, the Spaniards wasted their first advantage and soon found themselves behind in the light with a goal against Luke Pavillard, who stood up to his Atlètic-Barceloneta teammate Unai Aguirre and managed to overcome him (1 -0). Unai Biel balanced the contest, but Jacob Merceb, after a Spanish defensive mismatch, made it 2-1.
However, David Martín's team knew how to remain calm and Miguel de Toro offered the immediate response with two goals that allowed them to take the initiative. Fran Valera, with a penalty, increased the score to 2-4 with which the first quarter ended.
Alberto Munarriz joined the party in the first attack of the second set, although former Sant Andreu player Chaz Poot brought Australia closer with a shot that slipped into the Spanish goal after hitting the ball on Fran Valera's arm. From the penalty spot, Marc Larumbe returned the lead to three for the continental champion, but Edwards and Mercep cut the difference to a minimum at half-time (5-6).
Unai Biel, as soon as the duel started after the restart, found the goal at the beginning of an exchange of goals that was only broken by the consecutive hits of Alex Bustos and Alberto Munárriz, with which Spain went to the final set with three ahead (7 -10).
The victory allowed David Martín's team to experience a placid end to the match, with Alex Bustos, Fran Valera and Munárriz joining the rout (7-13). Martin Famera responded to Australia's penalty, and Valera scored the final result in the last second.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: AUSTRALIA, 9 – SPAIN, 15 (5-6, at halftime).
–EQUIPMENT.
AUSTRALIA: Porter (p), Hedges (p); Lambie, Ford, Negus, Power, Mercep (3), Pavillard (2), Byrnes (1), Putt, Poot (2), Edwards (1) y Slobodien.
SPAIN: Aguirre (p); Munarriz (3), Pomegranates, De Toro (3), Larumbe (1), Famera (1), Cabanas, Tahull, Mallarach, Busts (2), Biel (2) and Valera (3).
–PARTIALS: 2-4, 3-2, 2-4 and 2-5.
–ARBITRATORS: György Kun (HUN) and Darren Spiritosanto (USA).
–POOL: Aspire Dome in Doha.