USA Men’s Water Polo Falls To Croatia 11-10 In FINA World League Super Final Semifinals; Will Meet Italy For Bronze

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, June 16. THE USA Men's National Team fell to Croatia 11-10 in the semifinals of the FINA World League Super Final. Team USA will now meet Italy in the Bronze Medal match on Sunday. Jeff Powers (San Luis Obispo, CA/UC-Irvine/Newport WPF) and Adam Wright (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/NYAC) each netted two scores in the loss. Croatia rallied from a goal deficit at the half to claim the win, making great use of USA exclusions and penalties going 4/7 on power plays and 3/3 on penalty shots.

Team USA got off to the good start taking a 2-0 lead, only to see Croatia rally with scores of their own, three in all, in the first period. The United States kept up with the offensive pace and led 4-3 after the first period. In the second period each team scored three goals apiece and the United States stayed in front at halftime, up 7-6.

In the third Croatia came back with two power play scores sandwiched around a goal from Wright, leaving the match tied at 8-8 after three. In the fourth Croatia put on an offensive show, specifically from Sandro Sukno who scored three goals in the period. Team USA answered with two goals of their own but it wouldn't be enough. Croatia came away with the win 11-10.

Team USA was excellent on the power play, going 6/8 and they attempted no penalty shots. The United States takes on Italy for the Bronze medal, a rematch of pool play where Italy was victorious 7-5. The Bronze Medal match will be streamed live via FINA TV at 1:50pm (12:50am pst) and can be accessed by clicking here.

Game 19: 16:50, Semi final: USA 10 — CROATIA 11
(4-3, 3-3, 1-2, 2-3)
Referees: Daniel Flahive (AUS), Alan Balfanbayev (KAZ)
FINA Delegate: Boukezouha Badreddine
Teams:
USA: Merrill Moses — Peter Varellas, Peter Hudnut, Jeff Powers 2, Adam Wright 2, Shea Buckner 1, Layne Beaubien 1, Tony Azevedo, Ryan Bailey 1, Tim Hutten 1, Jesse Smith 1, JW Krumpholz 1, John Mann. Head coach: Terry Schroeder.
CROATIA: Josip Pavic — Damir Buric, Miho Boskovic 2, Niksa Dobud, Maro Jokovic 3, Andelo Setka, Petar Muslim 1, Andro Buslje, Sandro Sukno 4, Samir Barac 1, Igor Hinic, Ivan Buljubasic, Frano Vican (GK). Head coach: Ratko Rudic.

Extramen:
USA: 6 for 8
Croatia: 4 for 7

Penalties:
USA: none
Croatia: 3 for 3

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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