Gergő Zalánki chopped the Croatian goal to pieces

Men’s Water Polo World Cup, qualifier, Group A, Zagreb
Hungary-Croatia 13-10 (2-1, 5-4, 3-2, 3-3)
Scorers: 7 Zalánki, 3 Manhercz, Á. Nagy, Sz. Jansik, Vigvári Vendel, or Buric 2, Lazic 2, Zuvela 2, Fatovic, Marinic, Vrlic, Basic

After the ugly defeat suffered by the Americans, it was certain that the men’s polo team would only be able to reach the finals of the World Cup in Los Angeles if they defeated the European champion Croatia. The two teams met in Zagreb for the first time since the Euro final, and this time ours came out victorious.

After the extremely good start (there was also 5-1 here), our team kept the advantage, but the Croatians equalized in the fourth quarter. However, the Hungarians, who marched with the seven goals of Gergő Zalánki, still had a change of rhythm, and the last three goals were scored by us, thus the three-goal Hungarian victory took place.

Although there could be a three-way tie in the standings (this will be revealed in the evening’s Italy-USA match), and in this case the Hungarians would be eliminated from the three nine-point teams, but since the United States is a sure participant as the director, their results do not count in the final settlement, so the Hungarian national team reached the super final of the World Cup.

Cover image: MVLSZ/Anikó Kovács