The Americans continued their improbable run in Beijing with an 8-7 victory over Germany yesterday, winning their preliminary group and earning an automatic berth in the water polo semi-finals.
The US are guaranteed of finishing at least fourth, which would match their best showing since 1988.
“It’s one of the greatest feelings,” said US captain Tony Azevedo, a three-time Olympian. “For 10 years, I’ve been working as hard as I can and have sacrificed so many things. To come out today and be in that final four, it’s a great feeling. We’re definitely the underdog story.”
PHOTO: AP
The US will face the winner of the Serbia-Spain match on Friday. Serbia lost their preliminary finale, falling 13-12 to Italy, and some believed the Serbs faltered on purpose.
Had Serbia won, they would have been in the same bracket as rival and reigning European champions Montenegro and two-time defending gold medalists Hungary. A loss meant Serbia would face Spain and then the US.
“I heard chatter about that in the [Olympic] village,” US coach Terry Schroeder said. “They’re thinking it’s an easier path to the gold medal. It’s a little bit of disrespect ... There’s motivation for us. If Serbia gets that far, we’ll be ready for them.”
Serbia’s “performance” was a hot topic at Yingdong Natatorium.
The Croatian players and coaches said it was clear the Serbs intentionally lost, from starting their backup goalkeeper, to falling behind by four goals in the second half, to some of the shots they took throughout the game.
Despite any possible hidden agendas, the Americans refused to let anything overshadow their accomplishment. After upsetting top-ranked Croatia 7-5 on Saturday, they put in another strong defensive performance against Germany.
Goalkeeper Merrill Moses stopped 14 shots and his teammates added five blocks and two steals.
Jeff Powers and Adam Wright led the US with two goals apiece.
But the biggest play of the game came in the final 15 seconds. With the Americans leading 8-7, Germany’s Thomas Schertwitis appeared to score the equalizer following a minor foul.
But referees waived it off, saying Schertwitis had been fouled inside the 5m mark and thus should not have been able to take a direct shot at the goal.
In other games yesterday, Group A winners Hungary defeated Canada 12-3 and Spain beat Greece 10-6. Montenegro and Australia drew 5-5, which allowed Montenegro to advance to the quarter-finals, and Croatia trounced hosts China 16-4.
Montenegro and Croatia will play tomorrow, with the winner facing Hungary in the other semi-final.
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