Budapest, Hungary, July 23.— Australia will play Serbia; Italy will face Croatia; Greece will encounter Croatia and Russia clashes with Hungary in men's water polo quarter-finals on Tuesday, following crucial second-round FINA World Championships matches at the Alfred Hajos Pool here today.
The Aussie Sharks earned their date with reigning champion Serbia after defeating Brazil 8-3. Brazil was the nemesis of both Australia and Serbia at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but not today as Australia turned the 4-2 halftime lead into a five-goal victory. Captain Joe Kayes gained some freedom with a hat-trick of goals.
In the second qualifying match, Italy struggled at times before fending off a defensive Kazakhstan 12-7, built on a 4-1 third period. Kazakhstan decided to go on the offensive when the match looked lost and won the final quarter 4-3.
In the evening session, Greece swam over Japan, winning 14-4, built largely on a 10-3 halftime advantage. Greece will now face Montenegro in the quarters and Japan will clash with Brazil in the 9-12 semifinals. Greek captain Ioannis Fountoulis led the charge with three goals.
Finally, Russia upset Spain 11-10, leading by four midway through the fourth period. Spain finished seventh at Rio 2016 while Russia stayed at home and in Kazan two years ago, Spain did not qualify and Russia claimed 14th.
In the round 13-16 semifinals, France defeated Canada 10-6 with mercurial captain Ugo Crousillat and Mehdi Marzouki netting three goals each. United States of America gained its second win, downing winless South Africa 13-4. USA captain Alex Obert and deep wing specialist Maxwell Irving scored three each.
The protest lodged by Netherlands women over an alleged illegal timeout by Russia in the third quarter of Russia's 11-10 victory on Saturday, was rejected by FINA, who felt the Russian coach had called within possession time and the local official used the buzzer too late when possession had changed. Russia goes to the quarter-finals and Netherlands will contest the round 9-12.
Today’s schedule:
Match 25, 10.30, CANADA 6 FRANCE 10
Match 26, 12:00, SOUTH AFRICA 4 USA 13
Match 27. 17:30, BRAZIL 3 AUSTRALIA 8
Match 28, 19:00, KAZAKHSTAN 7 ITALY 12
Match 29, 20.30, GREECE 14 JAPAN 4
Match 30. 22:00, SPAIN 9 RUSSIA 11
Tuesday Schedule:
Match 31, 9:30, CAN v RSA (Classification 15-16)
Match 32, 10:50, FRA v USA (Classification 13-14)
Match 33, 12:10, L27 BRA v JPN (Classification 9-12 semifinal)
Match 34, 13:30, KAZ v ESP (Classification 9-12 semifinal)
Match 35. 14:50, 1A MNE v GRE (Classification 1-8 quarter-final)
Match 36, 16:10, 1B HUN v RUS (Classification 1-8 quarter-final)
Match 29, 20.30, 1C SRB v AUS (Classification 1-8 quarter-final)
Match 30. 22:00, 1D CRO v ITA (Classification 1-8 quarter-final)