With the finalists decided and 16 matches already behind us, the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League Super Final 2017 is reaching its climax in Ruza, Russian Federation. Competition Day 5 pictured a lot of fine goals, great saves and four impressive semi-final wins.
Bronze Olympic medal holder Italy saved their life against Croatia booking penalty shoot-out series 20 seconds to the final buzzer, and then nailed a gold match ticket at 9-7.
Their opponent in the decisive battle will be the reigning kings Serbia, which on their part, astonished everyone as their American rendezvous ended in a draw, and were up to seal their gold chance via the “hitting lottery”, 13-11.
As for Croatia and the USA will be contesting bronze, the 5th place consolation final shall feature Russia and Kazakhstan. Competition day 5 saw them both celebrating penalty shoot-out series wins over Japan and Australia, who will be up to play for the 7th-8th line in the chart of the Super Final.
Semi-finals / Day 5 / 24 June, 2017
Game 17. L13 – L16 AUS – KAZ 11-12 (0-4, 3-1, 1-2, 4-1, PSO 3-4)
Game 18. L14 – L15 RUS – JPN 18-17 (3-4, 5-2, 4-3, 0-3, PSO 6-5)
Game 19. W13 – W16 ITA – CRO 9-7 (1-1, 3-2, 1-2, 1-1, PSO 3-1)
Game 20. W14 – W15 SRB –USA 11-13 (0-0,4-3,2-2,2-3, PSO 3-5)
Finals schedule / Day 6 / 25 June, 2017
Game 21. 12:00 L17 – L18 (7 – 8 places) AUS – JPN
Game 22. 13:20 W17 – W18 (5 – 6 places) KAZ – RUS
Game 23. 14:40 L19 – L20 (3 – 4 places) CRO – USA
Game 24. 16:00 W19 – W20 (1 – 2 places) ITA – W15 SRB
*Local time