FINA Men's Water Polo World League: Other games on Day 2
Apart from the highly entertaining match between Croatia and Serbia, which finished 9-8 to the Serbians, there were three other matches played out here in Nis, Serbia on Day 2 of the FINA Men's Water Polo World League Super Finals.
The only other game played from Serbia's group, Group B, saw Australia play against the minnows South Africa. After being embarrassed 22-0 by the Serbians in the first game, the South Africans were looking to regain some pride and produce a good performance for the fans who had come out to support them and those watching at home. The Australians, on the other hand, were looking to continue their impressive form, which had seen them defeat one of the tournament's bigger teams Croatia. A win here for Australia, combined with a defeat for Croatia would result in qualification for the next round for the Australians and this proved to be a great incentive for the side.
The Australians made light work of the threat posed by South Africa, winning the game 19-4. The score meant that South Africa were eliminated from the tournament after only playing two games, conceding 41 goals and only managing to score four, all of which came against Australia. Billy Miller was Australia's best player, scoring four times which was the highest of any individual player in the second round of the tournament. Miller's goal meant that South Africa had no chance whatsoever in the game, who now only have a meaningless game against the Croatians to look forward to tomorrow, since neither team can qualify for the semi finals, no matter what the result. The Australians will play Serbia in a game that will decide who takes the top spot in the group.
Defending Champions Montenegro played Spain in a do-or-die match for the Spanish. Montenegro had completed a simple victory in the first game against China, while the Spanish had lost out to a strong American side. Spain failed to cause an upset in the game as Montenegro won the match 11-7. The Montenegro team appeared to be in control in almost all of the game, except for bits in the second period, when they allowed Spain to crawl back into the match. However, two goals each from Mladjan Janovic and Milan Ticic in quick succession meant that Spain had no way back into the game and the defeat means that they are on their way out of the tournament because the United States won their game against the Chinese.
United States went into the game with China after a good win against a strong Spanish side. The Chinese, on the other hand, had been dismantled rather easily by the defending Champions, Montenegro. The gamed ended 11-5 to the United States, who will now play Montenegro in a match which will decide who tops Group A. The Chinese had spells of pressure in all four of the periods but they couldn't find a way past a very resolute American side which kept the lead and extended it, eventually ending with 11 goals to their name.
The final round of fixtures sees widely anticipated games between United States and Montenegro in Group A and Serbia vs. Australia in Group B.
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