With Hungary for the Prestige of 1st Place in the Group - Croatian Water Polo Federation
Young men under 20 years of age will play the match of the 3rd or last round in the groups. In our Group A, Croatia and Hungary will meet tonight at 7:00 PM (SPTV).
Nominally, it is the group derby, a match between the only two undefeated teams and a game for the 1st place. On the other hand, both teams secured the first two places in the group after 2 rounds, regardless of how they will finish on Monday. In other words, direct qualification to the quarterfinals, which also means two days off (Tuesday and Wednesday).
We will first and foremost make a serious analysis of the match against Montenegro, which we did win, but we were not up to the task - warns coach Zoran Bajić.
Hungary had a practically identical path in the first two matches as we did. A high victory in the 1st round against Montenegro (18:10), and then in the 2nd round against the USA, they were trailing by three goals, only to win with a one-goal lead seconds before the end (13:12).
They are an excellent team. We sparred with them in Varaždin. I am sure that it will be the highlight of the day, a celebration. We will see in that competition who will be better. They will have to ‘bite’ seriously, just like us - concluded coach Bajić.
As for the Hungarian national team, that team finished 4th in last year's European championship under 19 in Burgas (Bulgaria). Our young men played against the Hungarians in the 1st round of the group, when Hungary won 10:9. That was Croatia's only loss in the tournament. In comparison to last year's competition, players such as Leinweber, Zeman, Peocz, Lugosi, Haverkampf, Varga, Nagy, goalkeeper Szabo are still on the team. Eight players, but ... Two of their best in that generation who did not play in Burgas are now in Zagreb. Number 3, Andras Toth, and Botond Balogh with number 11 on his cap. Balogh was the one who scored the winning goal against the Americans, a second before the end. A utility player, the best Hungarian player in this generation.
The match starts at 7:00 PM, the stands are ready, and the young Barracudas call you!
