Croatia to play for bronze medal at European Water Polo Champs

(Photo: HVS)

BUDAPEST, 24 January 2020 – Croatia has lost their semi-final match at the 2020 Men’s European Water Polo Championship on Friday in Budapest.

Croatia will now play for the bronze medal on Sunday after being edged by Spain 9-8. 

Marko Macan opened the scoring for Croatia and thanks to three fantastic saves from goal keeper Marko Bijac, Spain were kept scoreless throughout the first quarter which ended 1-0 for Croatia. 

Spain would scored their first goal of the game to equalise at 1-1 at the start of the second quarter. Captain Andro Buslje, Luka Bukic and Luka Loncar all found the back of the net in the second quarter but Spain managed to go goal for goal and the half ended with both teams level at 4-4.

Marko Bijac (Photo: HVS)

Croatia were denied by Spain’s goalie in the third quarter a number of times before Lovre Milos finally scored to equalise at 5-5. Bukic got Croatia back to 6-6 which is how the third quarter would end. 

Maro Jokovic and Ante Vukicevic scored in the final quarter for Croatia but it was not enough as Spain’s goal keeper managed to make a number of important saves to help his side to victory and place in Sunday’s final. 

Ante Vukicevic (Photo: HVS)

Spain will face the winner of the second semi-final between Montenegro and Hungary on Sunday whilst Croatia will meet the loser in the bronze medal match.