Greece’s men’s water polo team have made it to the quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics, securing first spot in Group A.
The Greeks defeated Italy 9-8 as the USA beat Croatia 14-11 in the last game of the round, meaning Greece finished first place.
It was a close match but three goals from Stylianos Argyropoulos in the first half (four for the match) saw Greece lead 6-5.
Goalkeeper Emmanouil Zerdevas also starred with his 14 saves as Greece went on to win 9-5 as Ioannis Fountoulis scored the winning goal.
Greece will next face Serbia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 11.35pm (AEST).
Elsewhere, whether it was complacency or stage fright, Australia’s Sharks assure they’ll be better for a reality-check loss that’s stunted their giant-killing run to the Olympic quarter-finals.
Winless in four games before Monday, Japan came from 4-0 down to pip Australia 14-13, Greek Australian Charlie Negus’s final-second attempt slipping off his fingers and high over the cross-bar at a rowdy La Defense Arena.
Australia finished second in Group B with three wins.
Still, defeat of the United States in a quarter-final on Thursday 3am (AEST) would ensure Australia their best-ever men’s Games result and pit them against the winner of Greece and Serbia for a spot in the final.
With AAP
