Dávid Tátrai in the match between Malta and Hungary
The Hungarian national team defeated the Maltese team 21-6 on Wednesday, ending the group stage of the Men’s European Water Polo Championship in Belgrade with a perfect record.
Zsolt Varga’s team enters the intermediate round with a maximum of six points and will face defending champion and world champion Spain, hosts and Olympic champions Serbia, and the Netherlands. The top two teams in the intermediate round will advance to the semifinals, while the third-placed teams will play for fifth place and the fourth-placed teams for seventh place.
First of all, I would like to congratulate Ferencváros on being named Team of the Year, as well as my friend Balázs Nyéki, who was named Coach of the Year,”
said national coach Zsolt Varga in the mixed zone.
National coach Zsolt Varga (left) at the Malta vs. Hungary match. Photo: MTI/Czeglédi Zsolt
In today’s game, we were able to save mental energy, as the previous matches had taken a lot out of the players. In addition, we are facing the next, extremely important phase of the European Championship,” explained the national coach, who on Tuesday, together with the team, commemorated the heroes of Hungary’s 1456 victory over the Turks at the castle in Belgrade (Nándorfehérvár).
Hungary is expected to face the Netherlands on Friday. The two teams have already met during their preparations for the European Championship. In Rotterdam, the hosts led 6-2 at the start of the second quarter, but Varga’s team eventually won 12-9.
We have experienced firsthand what it is like to play against them, and here they almost caused an upset against Serbia. The Dutch team is good, with many water polo players playing abroad, thus we have to give our best,”
added the coach.
Water polo player Ákos Nagy noted that the goal against the Maltese was to dominate the game from the first minute: “We tried to give 100% all the time and practice the tactical elements that could be decisive in the next three games. I think everyone can be satisfied with the six goals conceded, and the return of Soma Vogel gives us an extra boost, but the same goes for Kristóf Csoma,” said the 21-year-old left-hander from Ferencváros.
Krisztián Manhercz (center) and Ivan Nagaev (2nd from right) from Malta at the Men’s European Championships in Belgrade. Photo: MTI/Czeglédi Zsolt
Men’s European Water Polo Championship, intermediate round
Friday, January 16
France – Serbia
HUNGARY – Netherlands
Montenegro – Spain
Sunday, January 18
France – Spain
Montenegro – Netherlands
HUNGARY – Serbia
Tuesday, January 20
Netherlands – France
Spain – HUNGARY
Serbia – Montenegro
The exact kick-off times for the intermediate round matches will be finalized after consultation with the television stations, but it is very likely that the Hungarian national team will jump into the pool at 6 p.m. on Friday, 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, and 6 p.m. again on Tuesday.
Via MTI, nemzetisport.hu; Featured image: MTI/Czeglédi Zsolt
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