Team USA Men’s Water Polo Fails to Qualify for Championship Game

ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 4. USA fought through four tough quarters against Spain, but ultimately fell, 13-10, and will not qualify for the championship game.

Team USA stood even with Spain during the first half, but lost momentum in the second quarter and did not gain composure until the fourth quarter. Despite a 3-1 run in the final period, the Americans could not make up for the five-goal deficit after the first three quarters. With the win, Spain will advance to the final game and the U.S. will play out in hopes of earning third.

“We started the game well, but were unable to make some key stops at the beginning of the game,” head coach Ricardo Azevedo said. “The guys played hard and continued to create a number of open opportunities, but were not able to convert. We need to do a better job finishing up our games and finishing our opportunities when they arrive in a close game.”

USA vs. SPA, 10-13
BOX SCORES:
USA – 3 2 2 3 – 10
SPA – 3 5 4 1 – 13

SCORERS:
USA – Varellas 1, Azevedo 3, Merlo 1, Beaubien 3, Smith 2
SPA – Martin 1, Perrone 1, Molina 4, Valles 2, Perrone 1, Perez 1, Garcia 3

SAVES:
USA – Merrill 7

PLAYER ADVANTAGE:
USA – 5 of 12
SPA – 3 of 5, 1 of 2 (penalty)

POINTS:
Serbia and Montenegro 15, Spain 12, USA 8, Australia 4, Greece 3, France 0

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