World Cup: Three teams unbeaten, Hungary wins in thriller

 Krisztian Peter Manhercz

Who remembers Krisztian (4th from lt.) from 2012 when he and his Hungarian teammates graced our pool @2012 International?

Three teams are still unbeaten at the 16th FINA Men’s World Cup in Berlin. Host Germany, Olympic champion Serbia, and World champion Croatia have 4 points each after today’s 2nd round of the Group Stage.

GROUP A

After a surprising win in the match against Hungary on Day 1, Germany defeated Japan today, but the hosts had some difficulties. Japan led 5:3 early in the second quarter. Germany turned a deficit into a minimal advantage by the end of the quarter. It led 6:5 at halftime. The teams scored three goals both in the third quarter, while the Germans broke the Asians soon after the last break. The home side netted four straight goals in a span of 2:51 minutes to go 13:8 up, with 04:22 remaining on the clock. There was no way back for Japan. Germany celebrated a 14:9 victory. Top scorer was Denis Eidner with four goals.

The second day of the competition was opened by a very exciting encounter between Hungary and Australia. The Hungarians, runners-up in the 2014 World Cup, recovered from the shocking defeat in yesterday‘s match with Germany. They led most of the time, but Australia didn‘t let them celebrate too early. It was a close battle until the end despite Hungary was 6:3 up in the middle of the third quarter and it had 9:6 lead before the last period. Krisztian Peter Manhercz, the MVP at the 2017 World Junior Championship, did a crucial job by scoring three of four Hungary’s goals in the 3rd quarter. In the finish of the game, the “Aussies” netted two goals in two consecutive attacks for 8:9. They had a nice chance to earn a point, but Edwards’s shot in a man-up attack was blocked just 5 seconds before the end. After that, the Hungarians kept the ball and the victory.

GROUP B

Serbia recorded a convincing win over the USA. The Americans, who are coached by former Serbia head coach Dejan Udovicic, scored a goal from their first attack, but the Serbs replied with a 5:0 rush to jump to a 5:1 lead. They were 6:3 up after the first quarter. The Olympic champions dominated the 2nd and the 3rd period. By the end of the 3rd quarter, they built an 8-goal lead (12:4). The last quarter belonged to the USA and Serbia won 14:8. Dusan Mandic, a captain of the Serbian team, was outstanding today. He scored five goals.

World champion Croatia blew away South Africa – 25:2. Each of nine Croatia’s field players found the net this evening, but Andrija Basic caused big headaches for the Africans. He netted 9 goals with almost perfect shot percentage (9 goals/10 shots). Tomorrow, the Croats will face Serbia in the water polo classic which is decisive in the battle for the 1st place in the group.

FINA MEN’S WORLD CUP 2018, DAY 2

Group A

AUSTRALIA 8:9 HUNGARY
(2:3, 1:2, 3:4, 2:0)

Australia: Campbell 2, Younger 2, Howden 2, Edwards, A. Ford.
Hungary: Manhercz 4, Kovacs 3, Zalnaki 2.

GERMANY 14:9 JAPAN
(3:4, 3:1, 3:3, 5:1)

Germany: Eidner 4, Real 2, Strelezkij 2, Stamm 2, Cuk 2, Reibel, Restovic.
Japan: Arai 3, Adachi 2, Okawa 2, Koppu, Inaba.

1. Germany 2 – 4
2. Hungary 2 – 2
3. Australia 2 – 2
4. Japan 2 – 0

Group B

SERBIA 14:8 USA
(6:3, 3:1, 3:0, 2:4)

Serbia: Mandic 5, Subotic 3, V. Rasovic 2, Stojanovic 2, Lazic, Randjelovic,
USA: Bowen 2, Stevenson 2, Irving 2, Hallock, Carnigla.

CROATIA 25:2 SOUTH AFRICA
(7:1, 6:1, 5:0, 7:0)

Croatia: Basic 9, Milos 5, Vrlic 3, Setka 2, Fatovic 2, Loncar, Benic, Vukicevic, Buslje.
South Africa: Rodda, Prout.

1. Croatia 2 – 4
2. Serbia 2 – 4
3. USA 2- 0
4. South Africa 2 -0

Thursday (13 September)

Serbia – Croatia (16:00)
South Africa – USA (17:30)
Hungary – Japan (19:00)
Germany – Australia (20:30)