Spain sinks Croatia again
The Spaniards achieve the pass at the expense of some Croats against whom they won 'their' European Championship in January
BARCELONA, 7 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish men's water polo team beat Croatia this Wednesday (10-6) on the second day of the group stage of the World Championship in Doha (Qatar) to achieve a direct pass to the quarterfinals, having practically the lead in his pocket after sinking the Croatians again, whom they beat in the recent European final not even a month ago.
Spain continues to be sweet and remains unstoppable for a Croatia that came out to bite and hit but that faced David Martín's team, who won all four sets. At the Aspire Dome in Doha, Spain grew, liked it and gave itself, if it doesn't play dumb against Australia, a sweet leadership to rest in the round of 16 (which it wouldn't play) and go to the quarterfinals with less wear and tear.
A feasible scenario for a Spain that did its homework, and with hardly any failure, when it had to do it. This duel against Croatia, in the reissue of the final in Zagreb, is without a doubt one of the closest and highest level that can be seen today in world water polo. And he didn't disappoint anyone.
After Spain became European champion for the first time in its history on January 16, beating Croatia in Zagreb by 10-11, in this World Cup duel, in the group stage, Spain further sunk the Croatian team and handed them a even clearer defeat, and there were inaccuracies that prevented a rout.
One of the keys to the victory was Edu Lorrio, guardian of the Spanish goal with a flawless performance. Another determining factor was the 'old dog' Felipe Perrone, capable of stealing countless balls, scoring at key moments and leading the way alongside Álvaro Granados who, as he scored a magical goal in the European final, once again pulled his hat. in the last quarter.
There were sticks under the water and also on the surface, with several balls crashing into the wood. Spain was better in extra man situations, and although Croatia managed to block more shots in defense and their goalkeeper Marko Bijac was also successful, David Martín's team prevailed with a certain authority, without giving a single set to the rival.
The top Spanish scorer was Álvaro Granados, with 3, while Alberto Munarriz and Bernat Sanahuja supported him with 2 goals each, with all the men in the water except for goalkeeper Unai Aguirre, the only one of the 13 that Martín cited who was not it got wet.
With this victory against Croatia, sealed with a perfect goal from Bernat Sanahuja for the final 10-6, Spain will play the last day of Group A this Friday at 11:30 am against Australia, a team that lost to Croatia 13-8 and that, On paper, he should have no option if Spain sticks to its roadmap to confirm its place as leader.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: SPAIN, 10 – CROATIA, 6 (5-3, at halftime).
–EQUIPMENT.
SPAIN: Lorrio (p); Munarriz (2), Pomegranates (3), Sanahuja (2), Bull, Larumbe, Famera, Cabanas (1), Tahull, Platform (1), Mallarach and Busts (1).
CROATIA: Bijac (p); Buric, Fatovic (3), Loncar (1), Lazic (1), Vukicevic, Zuvela (1), Marinic, Vrlic, Butic, Kharkov and Krzic.
–PARTIALS: 2-1, 3-2, 1-0 and 4-3.
–REFEREES: Boris Margeta (CRO) and Darren Spiritosanto (USA).
–POOL: Aspire Dome in Doha.