Montenegro storm into semi-finals

USA goalkeeper Sibley Johnathan clears an attempt by Montenegro. — KT photo by Muksh Kamal

Pre-event favourites Montenegro, the bronze medallists in the last chapter, stormed into the semi-final of the Fina Men’s Water Polo World League Super Final with a 10-4 quarter-final victory over the US at the Hamdan Sports Complex on Thursday.

Led by Janovic’s fine early burst of four goals the Montenegrins came up with 2-0, 2-2, 3-0, 3-2 four-period outings. In the second quarters, Brazil went down fighting to Australia 7-14 after a good second session which they won 5-3.

The match scores were 1-5, 5-3, 0-5, 1-1 as Power, Gilchrist and Younger came good with three goals each for the Down Under squad. The third last eight clash witnessed Serbia as expected swim past Canada 16-11. Pijetlovic 3 and Filipovic 3 contributed at the crucial moments to spur the defending champs past the north Americans.

The Serbs kept their defences more or less intact except in the final quarter before advancing into the last four with a 4-1, 3-3, 2-2, 7-5 match readout on the scoreboard. Constantin-Bicari 3 brought about some change in the approach of the determined Canadians whose show in the championships was appreciable.

In the final last eight clash on Thursday night, Hungary defeated China 13-5. The final match late on Wednesday night saw an unexpectedly tightly game between underdogs China and powerhouse Montenegro. After their thrashing by Serbia on Day 2 the Montenegrins needed to get their game back on track, but were pushed hard by a determined China who were yet to post their first win.