U.S. Men Fall to Italy in Semifinals at Men’s Water Polo World Cup
The United States men dropped a 15-12 decision to Italy Saturday in the semifinals of the World Aquatics Men’s Water Polo World Cup, sending them to the bronze-medal match.
Italy will take on Spain, which bested Hungary, 10-8, for gold. The U.S. and Hungary will battle it out for bronze.
Italy ran off five unanswered goals in the third quarter, after Ryder Dodd scored twice to make it 9-7 for the U.S. Eduardo DiSomma, who scored three goals in the first quarter, added two goals and an assist on that decisive run. DiSomma was one of eight goalscorers for Italy.
Hannes Daube and Alex Bowen scored four times each for the U.S.
Unai Aguirre was the star for Spain in goal in their semifinal, making 15 saves. It included a man-down save in the third quarter, allowing him to outlet a ball to Bernat Sanajuah to give Spain its biggest lead at 9-4. Alberto Munarriz Egana led the Spanish with three goals.
The U.S. reached the semifinals, of the tournament hosted at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, by besting Serbia Friday, 10-9. Daube scored twice in the final two minutes of the game to help the Americans rally past Serbia. The U.S. outscored them, 4-0, in the final quarter.
Adrian Weinberg made it stand up with 15 saves in goal. Johnny Hooper joined Daube with two goals. Max Irving tallied a hat trick.
Hungary topped Greece, 6-4, in Friday’s quarterfinals, thanks to the brilliance of goalie Soma Vogel. He made nine saves and blanked Greece in the second and fourth quarters.
Italy routed Romania, 20-2. DiSomma, Andrea Fondelli, Francesco DiFulvio, Giacomo Cannella and Matteo Iocchi Gratta each tallied hat tricks.
Spain claimed an 18-9 win over Germany. Munarriz Egana scored five goals in that game.
In Saturday’s games, Romania stunned the reigning Olympic champion, Serbia, 17-14. Greece bounced back against Germany with a 19-6 win.