2012 London Olympics, Water Polo: Controversy Reigns At Men’s Water Polo as Croatia Nabs Protested Win Over Spain; Team USA Beats Romania in Contentious Match

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LONDON, England, July 31. CONTROVERSY reigned during the second day of men's water polo tournament play as Spain was denied an 8-8 draw with Croatia after a late Ivan Perez goal was disallowed and an official protest was made to FINA to see if the goal can be reinstated, on the second day of men's action at the Water Polo Arena on Tuesday. Spain actually staged a sit-in after the match, refusing to leave due to the call.

Hungary v Montenegro
– Nine-time Olympic champions Hungary were beaten for the second time at London 2012 when they lost 11-10 to Montenegro in a group B match.
– Montenegro was never behind and broke free of Hungary midway through the second quarter to lead 6-5 at half-time and 9-8 after three quarters.
– Hungary should have a first win in their next match against Romania on Thursday, while Montenegro will battle with Serbia.

Croatia v Spain
– A disallowed goal in the final seconds sent the Water Polo Arena into pandemonium as Croatia were awarded a controversial 8-7 victory over Spain in their group A match.
– Ivan PEREZ (ESP) took a left-handed backhand shot from outside five metres and it scrambled into the bottom right of the goal. It was declared a goal by the goal judge, but was over-ruled by Slovenian referee Boris MARGETA. Spain has protested the result to FINA, the world governing body. FINA has already overturned one official call this week, putting Tae Hwan Park back in the men's 400 free finale in swimming.
– Spain will look for amends against Australia in their next match on Thursday, while Croatia will go for a third win when they take on Italy.

Australia v Kazakhstan
– Australia gained their first Group A victory with a 7-4 victory over Kazakhstan.
– Kazakhstan provided stern opposition, but was always trailing as the team known as the Aussie Sharks went two up early on and were 2-1, 4-1 and 6-3 up at the breaks.
– Australia plays Spain on Thursday in their third group match, while Kazakhstan clash with Greece.

Greece v Italy
– World champions Italy were held to a 7-7 draw by Greece in a Group A match, giving both teams one point.
– Greece took the lead on four occasions compared to Italy's three, but two Alex GIORGETTI (ITA) goals late in the third period had the Italians 6-5 ahead at the final break.
– Christos AFROUDAKIS (GRE) converted an extra-man-advantage attack after a timeout to make it 7-7 with 2:54 remaining.
– Italy takes on Croatia in their third group match on Thursday, while Greece faces Kazakhstan.

Serbia v Great Britain
– World Cup champions Serbia took some time to surge past Great Britain in a Group B men's match before winning 21-7.
– Under the watchful eye of water polo enthusiast Prince William (GBR), who sat in the main spectator stand, Great Britain drew the first quarter 3-3, took a 4-3 lead in the second quarter, before trailing 10-5 at half-time and 16-6 at the end of the third quarter.
– Serbia's main clash of the group stages will be against Montenegro on Thursday, while Great Britain faces USA.

USA v Romania
– United States backed up a first-day win over Montenegro to defeat Romania 10-8 in Group B, but the match was marred with the awarding of two red cards for misconduct in the dying stages – one for each team.
– Romania made all the play for much of the first half and led 5-3 before USA grabbed one back just before half-time for 5-4 and led 7-5 at the end of the third quarter.
– USA plays Great Britain on Thursday, while Romania has a tougher task against Hungary.

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