By M. Duncan Scott
ATHENS, Greece, August 29. HUNGARY rose up when it mattered most. Trailing 7-5 entering the final period against challenger Serbia and Montenegro they dominated the final stanza 3-0 for a hard-fought 8-7 victory and their second straight gold medal.
Appropriately, Gergely Kiss scored the go ahead goal with 2:17 to play and his team held on from there. Kiss contributed half the Hungarian scoring total making four of six shots on goal.
With the win, Hungary will also retain their #1 world ranking earned at the Barcelona World Championships last summer.
The Hungarian champions were deservedly proud. Attila Vari express his joy on winning the gold in a very nationalistic way: "I feel Hungarian. I feel proud I am Hungarian, husband, a father and a son. I feel very proud."
On the other hand Aleksadar Sapic (SGC) expressed the feeling of helplessness that is almost visible when a game begins to slip away. "It's our own fault that we lost this game. We had the gold in our hands and we lost it. We didn't take the big chances we had in extra man in the last period and that was crucial. We gave everything we had in this battle, but it just wasn't enough."
It was left to Vladimir Gojkovic (SCG) to respond most in the Olympic spirit. "Congratulations to Hungary. They were the best team at this Games and in the world at the moment. We led 7-5 at three quarter time, but it was not enough. I am sorry."
Results
Olympic Aquatic Centre – SUN 29 AUG 2004 – Start Time: 17:30
HUN – Hungary SCG – Serbia/Montenegro
Result
2 1st Quarter 3
3 2nd Quarter 2
0 3rd Quarter 2
3 4th Quarter 0
8 Full Time Score 7
HUN SCG