Budapest, HUNGARY, June 24 (Reuters) - Yugoslavia won the European men's water polo title for the first time in 10 years with a convincing 8-5 win over Italy in the final on Sunday.
Italy, who had stunned hosts Hungary with an 8-7 win over the Olympic and defending European champions in the semifinals, took a 2-0 lead in the first quarter of the final.
But Yugoslavia, beaten by Hungary in the semifinals at last year's Sydney Olympics, moved 4-2 up in the second period and stretched the advantage to 6-2 during the third as their quality and experience saw them through.
National coach Nenad Manojlovic's team, who had easily beaten Croatia in the semifinals, had signalled their potential earlier in the tournament when they beat hosts Hungary in the group stage.
It was the first major trophy for Yugoslavia since 1991, when they were both world and European champions.
Yugoslavia's Vladimir Vujasinovic was voted best player of the tournament and Francesco Attolico of Italy best goalkeeper. Russia's Alexander Yerisov was top scorer with 21 goals.
European Men's Water Polo Championships 2001, Budapest, HUNGARY, FINAL, June 24
YUGOSLAVIA - ITALY 8-5 (0-2, 4-0, 2-1, 2-2)
"Hajos Alfred" National Sports Swimming Pool. Attendance: 5,500. Referees: Sergio Borrell and Petrus Hendrik Bookelman.
Scorers for Yugoslavia: Trbojevic 2, Vujasinovic 2, Jelenic 1, Sapic 1, Savic 1, Zimonjic 1.
Scorers for Italy: Angelini 1, Alessandro Calcaterra 1, Roberto Calcaterra 1, Postiglione 1, Silipo 1.
Goals in man-up: Yugoslavia 4/8, Italy 3/10.
GAME: 0-1 Silipo (goal in man-up), 0-2 Postiglione, 1-2 Savic (goal in man-up), 2-2 Vujasinovic, 3-2 Zimonjic (goal in man-up), 4-2 Trbojevic, 5-2 Jelenic (goal in man-up), 6-2 Vujasinovic (goal in man-up), 6-3 R. Calcaterra, 7-3 Trbojevic, 8-3 Sapic, 8-4 Angelini (goal in man-up), 8-5 A. Calcaterra.
