Many wrote off the Olympic champion after suffering with Japan, lessons from Australia, weakness against Spain and Hungary, but Serbia once again showed why it is a water polo giant.
Nikola Jakšić and his friends authoritatively and practically routinely defeated the United States of America (10:6) and advanced to the third consecutive final of the Olympic Games, where they will chase the third consecutive gold.
The Americans had a great tournament, they had many chances even today, especially in attack with more players, but they simply did not have players for big games, which are still plentiful in Serbia.
From the beginning of the game, the "dolphins" dictated the pace, with two goals by Nikola Dedović they reached 7:4 at the beginning of the third, and then after a goal by Nemanja Vic they reached 8:5.
For a long time, Uroš Stevanović's team did not find the back of the net, but Dejan Udovicič's men did not shine in attack either (Serbian goalkeeper Radoslav Filipović played the match of his career), so they only found the net once by the end of the third period through Aleks Boven (8:6).
However, in the last eight minutes, they removed all dilemmas, if there were any at all - Dedović did a great job once again, and the phenomenal Nikola Jakšić put an end to the game with three and a half minutes to go (10:6).
Dedović finished the match with four goals, Jakšić with three, and Serbia's triumph gains special significance when it is known that it was achieved without goals from the best player, Dušan Mandić.
Goalkeeper Filipović recorded 10 saves, and on the other side, in the USA national team, Marko Vavić shook the net twice.
In Rio de Janeiro, Serbia reached the gold in the final over Croatia, in Tokyo it was better than Greece, and now it is waiting for a better one from the second semi-final in Paris, in which the "barracudas" and Hungary are playing. That match will be played from 19.35:XNUMX.
Bonus video:
