Fukuoka (Japan) (EFE).- The Spanish team, which was defending its world title, came back from behind in its match against France and won 7-6, a match that it lost 4-6 at the start of the last quarter and thus Spain gets into the semifinals of the Fukuoka Water Polo World Cup.
A goal from Álvaro Granados, with 1:04 to go, gave victory to David Martín’s men, who will face Hungary in the semifinals.
David Martín: “This victory gives us a rush”
The Spanish coach David Martín assured EFE that the victory achieved against France (7-6), which places his team in the semifinals after a comeback in the last quarter, is “a rush” to face the next game against Hungary.
“I want to congratulate France, they have given us a great game and their goalkeeper (Hugo Fontani) has done spectacularly. Our pitchers have had a lot of problems scoring goals, because the pitching lines have been very well covered, ”he insisted.
Martín highlighted that his team showed character, after getting a 3-0 run to turn the game around (4-6) in the last three minutes.
“We have known how to react, we have known how to suffer, that is the positive. There is no self-criticism, you have to think about the semifinals and that it is very difficult to be here. Croatia, which is the European champion, is from 9th to 12th place; Italy is 5-8. It has a lot of merit to reach the semifinals again, ”she insisted.
Date and time of the women’s water polo semifinal between Spain and Hungary in Fukuoka
The semifinal of the women’s water polo tournament between Spain and Hungary, in which a victory leads to the final and to the Paris 2024 Games, will be played this Wednesday at the Marina Messe de Fukoka pool (11:30 CET).
The program of the Spanish delegation is as follows (times in CET)
Wednesday, July 26
SWIMMING. Series
3:30 p.m. Series 50 women’s backstroke (Carmen Weiler), 100 men’s freestyle (Luis Domínguez), 200 men’s medley (Hugo González and Carles Coll), women’s 200 butterfly, 4×100 mixed styles (Spain).
HIGH ALTITUDE JUMPS
5:00 a.m. 3rd and 4th women’s round, where the medals are played (Carlota González)
WATER POLO WOMEN. semifinals.
ITA-NED (10:00)
AUS-ESP (11:30)
SWIMMING. semifinals and finals.
1:00 p.m. F 800 men’s freestyle, F 200 women’s freestyle, SF 100 men’s freestyle, SF 50 women’s backstroke, F 50 men’s breaststroke, SF 200 women’s butterfly, SF 200 men’s medley, F 4×100 mixed styles.