Spain seeks to surprise the champion
Those of David Martín face Serbia, which they defeated in the World Cup, in European quarterfinals
MADRID, Jan. 21 (SportsFinding) –
The Spanish men's water polo team faces Wednesday in the Bucharest European (17.30 / Teledeporte) a quarter-final high against the current Olympic and European champion, Serbia, with the aim of continuing their path to the medals in the continental tournament .
The victory by more than 20 goals of difference of Hungary against Malta (26-0) forced those of David Martín to pay the 'toll' of the round of 16, from which the Magyars were released when finishing first of Group C. The Balkans, on the other hand, will arrive fresh to the event after concluding in the first position of Group B with full of wins against Russia (13-9), Romania (7-15) and the Netherlands (11-4).
Thus, Spain more than met Monday against Germany (6-12), a duel that was worth for the Spanish coach to rotate their players in view of the “three wars” that await them soon, in addition to the quarterfinals: yes they win, the semifinals and the final, and, if they lose, the duels from 5th to 8th place.
After three wins – before Germany and the group stage against Malta (7-23) and Turkey (7-24) – and a draw – before Hungary (11-11) -, the Iberian team will cross with the “worst possible rival “, the current Olympic and European champion. With the Olympic duties already done, both teams promise an intense duel in search of the semifinals and to take revenge for their respective 'afrentas'.
The Serbs still remember their elimination at the hands of Spanish in the quarterfinals of the Gwangju World Cup last year (9-12), in which finally those of David Martín had to settle for the silver medal after falling in the final against Italy ( 5-10). With this, Spain was compensated for the painful defeat in the final of the European in Barcelona, in which the Balkan team deprived him of glory at home by imposing himself on penalties (12-10).
“Our players will be more tired than they are. Serbia is the coconut, for me the best team in the world in the last ten years for quality and experience. I am convinced, for what has happened in recent championships, that we feel like it, but I think that is going to be a very nice match for the spectator, “the Spanish coach warned.
Now, their pupils will seek to make history again before one of their 'black beasts', which they have only been able to defeat on 3 of the 18 occasions in which the faces have been seen.
DATA SHEET.
–EQUIPMENT.
SERBIA: G. Pijetlovic (p), B. Mitrovic (p); Mandic, Dedovic, Randjelovic, Cuk, D. Pijetlovic, Vico, Aleksic, Jaksic, Filipovic, Prlainovic and S. Mitrovic.
SPAIN: López Pinedo (p), Lorrio (p); Munárriz, Granados, Sanahuja, De Toro, Larumbe, Delgado, Fernández, Tahull, Perrone, Mallarach and Bustos.
– PAVILION: Budapest Sand Dune.
– HOUR: 17.30 / Teledeporte.