BELGRADE, Yugoslavia, August 22. THE USA men's water polo team dropped its third consecutive game at the 2002 FINA World Cup, this time at the hands of Russia, 8-5. The loss sends the U.S. into a last-ditch effort to qualify automatically for next year's FINA World Championships in tomorrow's seventh place game against Croatia.<\/p>\n
Goals by Revaz Tchomakidze and Alexandr Erushov began the Russian assault early with first quarter goals to take a 2-0 lead. <\/p>\n
Iouri Yatsev gave the Russians a 3-0 advantage early in the second quarter and Tchomakidze's second goal gave Russia a 4-0 lead with just over two minutes to play in the half. Irek Zinnourov's goal with 0.3 seconds left on the clock gave the Russians a 5-0 lead at halftime.<\/p>\n
The U.S. didn't get on the board until 4:59 of the third quarter, when a blind backhand by Jeff Powers from six-meters beat the shot clock. A direct shot by Tony Azevedo after a foul at seven-meters found the net to make the score 5-2, but Russia got one back on a goal by Zinnourov with 1:43 to play in the third.<\/p>\n
Azevedo and Jesse Smith managed goals in the fourth quarter, but more shots found the post than the net as the U.S. lost, 8-5. Team USA was outshot again, this time by a count of 24-16.<\/p>\n
Team USA found itself in the middle of a very physical contest, as is the custom against Russia, and were unable to respond.<\/p>\n
"It was a strange game," said U.S. head coach Ratko Rudic. "They played aggressive and we didn't have the answer. We are not physically ready for this type of game."<\/p>\n
Team USA will play Croatia tomorrow in a 7:00 p.m. game (local Belgrade time). Croatia and the U.S. split their FINA World League series with two wins apiece.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow's Schedule – August 23, 2002 *
\nGame Time Team vs. Team
\n7th Place Game 7:00 p.m. USA (4th Place – A) vs. Croatia (4th Place – B)
\nQuarterfinal 8:15 p.m. Hungary (3rd Place – A) vs. Greece (2nd Place – B)
\nQuarterfinal 9:30 p.m. Russia (2nd Place – A) vs. Spain (3rd Place – B)
\n* Yugoslavia (Winner Group A) and Italy (Winner Group B) have the day off.<\/p>\n
Group A Standings
\nTeam Wins Losses Draws Goals For-Goals Against Points
\n1. Yugoslavia 2 1 0 26-19 4
\n2. Russia 2 1 0 21-21 4
\n3. Hungary 2 1 0 24-19 4
\n4. USA 0 3 0 14-26 0<\/p>\n
Group B Standings
\nTeam Wins Losses Draws Goals For-Goals Against Points
\n1. Italy 2 0 1 19-16 5
\n2. Greece 0 0 3 18-18 3
\n3. Spain 1 1 1 17-16 3
\n4. Croatia 0 2 1 16-20 1
\n-continued from pg. 1-<\/p>\n
Box Score<\/p>\n
United States 0 0 2 3 — 5
\nRussia 2 3 1 2 — 8<\/p>\n
Individual Scoring
\nUSA: Azevedo 2, Wigo 1, Powers 1, Smith 1
\nRussia: Tchomakidze 2, Zinnourov 2, Erushov 2, Garbouzov 1, Jatsev 1<\/p>\n
Man Advantage Scoring
\nUSA: 2 for 5
\nRussia: 3 for 7<\/p>\n
Other Scores:
\nGroup A
\nCroatia 7, Greece 7
\nItaly 7, Spain 5<\/p>\n
Group B
\nHungary 9, Yugoslavia 7<\/p>\n
Cadets in Belgrade
\nThe USA men's cadet national team is also taking in the action in Belgrade this week, but it's not all on a spectator basis. The Cadet team bested Greece in an early morning scrimmage but was pounded by Yugoslavia 19-5 in an afternoon scrimmage. JW Krumpholz suffered an injury to his eye, and will sit out most of the tournament.<\/p>\n
"The referees call nothing," commented Matt Sagehorn.
\n"We were surprised by the size of the Yugoslavian team…it's like playing college guys."<\/p>\n
The cadets will be participating in the YU Open International Tournament in Belgrade, Yugoslavia from August 27-31.<\/p>\n
The National Cadet Team
\nChay Tatman
\nMiguel Cidoncha
\nJohn Connolly
\nKevin Lorber
\nMark Stemler
\nMatt Aksel
\nAnthony Artukovich
\nSteven Weinberg
\nJames Krumpholz
\nDrac Wigo
\nWill Hindle-Katel
\nJanson Wigo
\nEric Vreeland
\nJoe Sherrin
\nMatt Sagehorn
\nNico Sardo
\nCharles Wright
\nChristian Flores<\/p>\n
Head Coach: Doug Peabody
\nAssistant Coach: Bill Smith
\nAssistant Coach: Boyd LaChance
\nTeam Leader: Greg Ormsby
\nReferee: Steve Redding
\nTeam Doctor: Neal Weinberg<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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