FINA Water Polo World League: Serbia Loses Home Match

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, March 23. THE defeat of reigning champion Serbia, at home, against Germany (9-10) was the surprising note of the fifth match of the European preliminary round of the FINA Men's Water Polo World League 2011, played on March 22.

After this loss (the first in five matches played so far), the Balkan team has to wait until the sixth and final game to confirm its qualification for the Super Final of the competition, taking place in Florence (ITA) on June 21-26. Serbia leads the group with 12 points, Germany is second with eight (the team is out of contention for the Super Final), but Spain in third (with seven points) has still mathematical chances to get to the decisive stage of the competition, if it wins its two next matches – on April 5 against FYR Macedonia (the only game of the fifth round played on a later date), and then, on April 19, precisely against Serbia.

In Group B, Montenegro confirmed, at home, its qualification for the Super Final, beating Romania, after the penalties shootout, by 9-8 (5-5 at the end of regular time). Montenegro has now 14 points and is out of reach before the last match. In the other game of the group, Russia beat Turkey in Volgograd by 13-4.

In Group C, qualified teams for the Super Final, Croatia and Italy (as organiser), assured one more victory, this time against Greece (14-10) and the Netherlands (9-5) respectively.

Provisional rankings:
GROUP A: 1. SRB, 12 pts (4 wins, 1 loss); 2. GER, 8 (3W, 2L); 3. ESP, 7 (2W, 2L); 4. MKD, 0 (4L)
GROUP B: 1. MNE, 14 pts (5W); 2. ROU, 10 (3W, 2L); 3. RUS, 6 (2W, 3L); 4. TUR, 0 (5L)
GROUP C: 1. CRO, 15 pts (5W); 2. ITA, 12 (4W, 1L); 3. GRE, 3 (1W, 4L); 4. NED, 0 (5L)

Sixth and final round (April 19, 2011):
Group A: SRB-ESP & MKD-GER
Group B: MNE-RUS & TUR-ROU
Group C: CRO-ITA & NED-GRE

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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