USA Men’s Water Polo Falls to Serbia, 8-5, in Semifinals of FINA World League Super Final

FLORENCE, Italy, June 25. DESPITE a late fourth quarter rally that saw them draw to within two the USA Men's National Team was unable to come all the way back and lost 8-5 to Serbia in the semi-finals of the FINA World League Super Final. They will play the loser of the Italy-Croatia match for the Bronze Medal on Sunday. Ryan Bailey (Long Beach, CA/UC-Irvine/Newport WPF) tallied two goals to lead the USA offense.

The match against Serbia started out identical to yesterday's victory over Montenegro with the United States falling down 3-0 in the first period. Brian Alexander (Santa Ana, CA/UCSB/Olympic Club) got the United States on the board with a score late in the quarter and they trailed 3-1 going to the second period. The second quarter was all Serbia as they added on two more scores to go up 5-1 at halftime.

In the third, Serbia continued to build their lead taking a 7-1 lead before Tony Azevedo (Long Beach, CA/Stanford/NYAC) would stop the run with a goal with just :15 left in the quarter. Trailing 7-2 to open the fourth quarter Team USA started to chip away when Bailey scored less than a minute into the quarter to get within 7-3. Some 90 seconds later Jesse Smith (Coronado, CA/Pepperdine/NYAC) found the cage to make it 7-4 Serbia. The United States got even closer when Bailey hit again at the 3:01 mark to come within two goals at 7-5. Serbia delivered a dagger with a goal thirty seconds later to go back up 8-5. They'd hold off the United States the rest of the way to come away victorious 8-5 to advance to the Gold Medal match.

Scoring – Scoresheet
USA 5 (1, 0, 1, 3) R. Bailey 2, T. Azevedo 1, J. Smith 1, B. Alexander 1
SRB 8 (3, 2, 2, 1)

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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