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Water polo team wins silver at Athens Olympics

Athens, 29 August 2004

Serbia and Montenegro lost to Hungary 7-8 (3-2, 2-3, 2-0, 0-3) in the gold medal match at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Hungary players and coaches celebrate their gold medal win over Serbia and Montenegro

Author: Reuters

After trailing 0-3 and 5-7, defending Olympic and world champions scored three time in the last quarter to beat Serbia and Montenegro.

In the title game, Gergeley Kiss scored four goals for Hungary. Serbia-Montenegro's Aleksandar Sapic, the tournament's leading scorer, got the ball with a chance to tie it in the closing seconds, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Zoltan Szecsi.

Aquatic Centre in Athens. Attendance: 7,000. Referees: Roberto Petronilli (ITA), Alan Balfanbayev (KAZ). Goals in man-up: Serbia and Montenegro 3/11, Hungary 5/11.

Penalties: Hungary 2/2.

Scorers for Serbia and Montenegro: Aleksandar Sapic 2, Aleksandar Ciric 1, Danilo Ikodinovic 1, Viktor Jelenic 1, Vanja Udovicic 1, Vladimir Gojkovic 1

Scorers for Hungary: Gergely Kiss 4, Tamas Kasas 2, Tamas Varga 1, Tibor Benedek 1.

QUOTES

Serbia and Montenegro's players (L-R) Nikola Kuljaca, Slobodan Nikic and Vanja Udovicic react during their team's loss to Hungary

Author: Reuters

Vladimir VUJASINOVIC (SCG) - team captain On the final: "We didn't have any luck in the last period. They (Hungary) played well when it was important. We wanted to win of course but in the fourth period we failed. Nothing, nothing." On the officials: "After we led 3-0 in the first period, I think the officials helped them to make a comeback. After that the officials was very fair in their judgment." Aleksadar SAPIC (SCG) On the final: "It's our own fault that we lost this game. We had the gold in our hands and we lost it. We didn't take the big chances we had in extra man in the last period and that was crucial." "We gave everything we had in this battle but it just wasn't enough." Denis SEFIK (SCG) On where the match was decided: "When a team fails to score for ten minutes in a final like we did at 7-5, it just can't win the game." Vladimir GOJKOVIC (SCG) On the final: "Congratulations to Hungary. They were the best team at this Games and in the world at the moment." "We led 7-5 at three quarter time, but it was not enough. I am sorry."

Tamas VARGA (HUN) On the game: "It was very hard in the first quarter because we were a little bit sleepy. We haven't stopped talking about this game all day long." "It's my first Olympics and it feels great getting the gold medal." Attila VARI (HUN) On winning the game: "I feel Hungarian. I feel proud I am Hungarian, husband, a father and a son. I feel very proud." Denes KEMENY (HUN) - coach On winning gold: "To win two consecutive Olympic golds - even in any team or any sport is wonderful." "It honestly makes me feel so very proud." Adam STEINMETZ (HUN) On the game: "It was a wonderful game. It was a wonderful finish."

(www.athens2004.com)