Water Polo Semifinals: Serbia, Croatia to meet for gold

Photo Courtesy: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

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By Dan D’Addona

The Croatia men’s water polo team got an offensive boost and is one win away from claiming two consecutive gold medals.

Meanwhile, Serbia overcame a horrendous start to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, especially shocking as the pre-tournament favorite — and is stunningly headed to the finals to face Croatia.

Serbia held off Italy 10-8 in Thursday’s semifinals, while Croatia defeated Montenegro 12-8.

Serbia, the defending world champions, tied the first two matches before losing to host Brazil. But Serbia then rattled off four consecutive victories, including the semifinals, putting them where most expected — Saturday’s gold medal match.

Serbia avenged a 2012 London Olympics semifinal loss to Italy, which put the team in the bronze-medal match for the second consecutive Olympics — winning both times.

Not this time. Serbia will do no worse than the silver medal in Saturday’s final thanks to a quick start in the semifinals. Serbia scored the first six goals of the match, not allowing an Italian goal until nearly halftime.

Serbia also used a balanced attack against Italy on Thursday. Filip Filipovic, Slobodan Nikic and Andrija Prlainovic each scored twice.

Valentino Gallo, Christian Presciutti and Alessandro Velotto each scored two goals for Italy.

Serbia will look to keep its hot streak going against Croatia, the team Serbia defeated in last year’s world championship final.

Croatia’s win over Montenegro also was a rematch of the London semifinals with Croatia also winning 7-5 four years ago.

Andro Buslje scored four goals to lead Croatia’s offense, which scored its highest number of goals in the tournament in the semifinal win. Meanwhile, goalie Marko Bijac made 10 saves.

Croatia was only able to play with 12 players after Damir Buric was suspended for one match because of a brutality call in the quarterfinal victory over Brazil.

Buslje and Andelo Setka combine for four fourth-quarter goals to seal the victory.

Montenegro was led by Darko Brguljan and Aleksandar Ivovic, who each scored three goals to keep the match close.

Each time Montenegro got within two goals, Setka scored for Croatia to return the lead to two.

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