Men’s Event
In Pool A, Greece were able to get the group win despite ended on the same points as Italy. United States were able to finish above Croatia based on head-to-head record. Spain won Pool B with Australia causing a surprise by finishing second. The quarter finals saw the form from the group stages overridden as the third and fourth placed finishers went through to the semi finals with Hungary and United States beating Italy and Australia on penalties. Serbia beat United States 10-6 to make the final whilst Croatia got a 9-8 victory over Hungary. United States won bronze on a shootout whilst Serbia took gold after a 13-11 victory after taking an early lead.
🥇Serbia 🇷🇸
🥈Croatia 🇭🇷
🥉United States 🇺🇸
I called this open in my analysis. Italy and Spain were both upset in the quarter finals whilst Hungary lost on a shootout in the bronze medal matchup.
Women’s Event
Australia took the win in Group A, with two penalty shootout victories despite Netherlands being on the same amount of points with Hungary back in third. Spain won all four games in Group B, taking the group win over United States. Those top finishers made it through to the semi finals. Both of the semi finals went to shootouts. Australia beat United States 6-5 with Spain beating Netherlands 5-4. Netherlands came from 9-6 down to stop United States from winning a water polo medal, the first time since the event made the Olympics. Spain beat Australia 11-9 to win gold.
🥇Spain 🇪🇸
🥈Australia 🇦🇺
🥉Netherlands 🇳🇱
Despite a bit of a drop off in form, it felt impossible to predict against United States her. I did think Spain were the next best team and they won gold. I pointed out Australia as a possibility to upset the top tier of contenders but didn’t foresee a medal.
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