Photo by Grgo Jelavic/PIXSELL
January 12, 2024 – Croatia brilliantly beat Greece in the quarter-final match on Friday (13-8) to book their Euros semi-final spot against Hungary!
Croatia and Greece met in the quarter-finals of the European Water Polo Championships in Zagreb on Friday. The Mladost pool was filled to capacity, and the incredible atmosphere from Dubrovnik expertly continued.
Croatia was first to take the lead with a goal by Kharkov, though his penalty shot was initially saved. Kakaris made it 1-1 and Fountoulis put Greece ahead for 1-2. Fatović made it 2-2, Genidounias 2-3, and Marinić-Kragić 3-3 to end the first quarter.
Argyropoulos scored the first goal of the second quarter for 3-4 Greece. Marinić-Kragić equalized at 4-4, and Bijač was brilliant in goal with save after save. Croatia retook the lead with a fantastic goal by Vukičević for 5-4, but Greece finished the second quarter ahead, with 5-6 going into halftime.
Lončar scored for 6-6 to open the third quarter, and Bijač saved Greece’s first attack, bringing him to 7 saves in the game so far. Marinić-Kragić scored his third goal of the game for the new Croatia lead at 7-6! Vukičević brought Croatia their first +2 lead with a goal for 8-6, and Marinić-Kragić scored from the penalty spot for 9-6!
Croatia won the sprint in the final quarter, and Lončar scored in the next attack for 10-6. A mix of Greece’s exhaustion and Bijač’s brilliance made it impossible for them to score. So Fatović did instead, bringing Croatia to 11-6 then 12-6! Burić scored for 13-6, with 8 consecutive goals scored for Croatia. The game ended 13-8 for Croatia, though the winner was decided long ago.
Croatia plays Hungary in the semi-final on Sunday, who beat Serbia in their quarter-final match.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
