The team of Montenegro is the last European qualifier for the Super Final of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League 2014 after claiming a hard-fought, 8-10 victory over Germany in Krefeld (GER) on April 15.
Boosted by returning captain Nikola Janovic, the 2013 World championships runners-up faced pressure from Germany, whose squad led 4-3 at half-time. The Montenegrins took the lead in the third quarter (5-2), securing the win and thus a Super Final berth in the last eight minutes.
In other games action, Serbia (the defending champion) remained unchallenged, crushing Russia 14-7 in Kragujevac for a total 12 points. In Group B, 2012 Olympic champions Croatia bounced back from a disappointing World League campaign (with three losses), stunning the reigning World champions Hungary 10-9 after penalty shootouts in Pecs (HUN).
The European squads qualified for the Super Final in Dubai (UAE) from June 16-21, 2014 are: Serbia, Hungary andMontenegro.
The men’s teams of Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Africa and USA are gearing up for the World League’s Intercontinental Tournament for the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania, taking place in Shanghai (CHN) from May 26-June 1, 2014. The tournament will qualify four teams.
Final rankings:
GROUP A: SRB, 12 pts (4 wins); RUS, 3 (1W, 3 losses); ROU, 3 (1W, 3L)
GROUP B: HUN, 9 pts (3W, 1L); GRE, 5 (2W, 2L); CRO, 4 (1W, 3L)
GROUP C: MNE 15 pts (5W, 1L); ITA, 15 (5W, 1L); SVK, 3 (1W, 5L); GER, 3 (1W, 5L)
This release is courtesy of FINA.