Serbia-Montenegro - Spain 7-3

Barcelona, SPAIN, July 22 (fina.org) - Serbia & Montenegro must be the most hated team in Spain after beating the national team and ending a reign started in 1998 in Perth, Australia. The Serbians opened strongly via Danilo Ikodinovic at the top and Aleksandar Sapic on extra from his favoured right-hand catch position. Ikodinovic stretched that to 3-0 on extra soon after the break and then the stands erupted as Sergi Pedrerol bounced in an extra -man goal from deep left-hand catch. Sapic used the extra chance to score at 1:10 to finish the first-half scoring. Ikodinovic was excluded just before halftime and Spain won the swim, calling a timeout. The ploy failed as goalkeeper Nikola Kuljaca took the shot in the chest. Controversy reigned at 2:26 when a long outside shot was not recognised as a goal. The referees conferred and Sapic was credited with the goal.

It sliced through the side netting after entering the front of the goal. Daniel converted extra at 1:56 for 5-2 down. Then Sapic took a penalty with the shot taking several minutes to take as many players crowded the shooter. He scored for 6-2. In the fourth period, Vladimir Vujasinovic was about to shoot when two metres from goal on extra when coach Nenad Manojlovic called timeout, much to Vujasinovic's displeasure. Sapic crushed Spanish hearts with his fifth goal on extra at 2:06. Moro scored his second extra-man goal in the last minute but poor finishing proved costly, especially on extra man.

FINA world water polo championships, Quarterfinals, Barcelona, SPAIN, July 22

Serbia-Montenegro - Spain 7-3 (2-0, 2-1, 2-1, 1-1).

Goals in man-up: Serbia-Montenegro 5/10; Spain 3/14. Penalties: Serbia-Montenegro 1/1. Referees: Ahmet Erhan Tulga (TURKEY) and Petrus Hendrik Bookelman (NETHERLANDS).

SERBIA-MONTENEGRO: Kuljaca, Nikic, Zlokovic, Udovicic, Savic, Ikodinovic (2), Jelenic, Gojkovic, Ciric, Sapic (5), Vujasinovic, Jokic, Sefik. Coach: Nenad Manojlovic.

SPAIN: Andreo, Rollan, Pedrerol (1), Marcos, Molina, Garcia, Hernandez, Ivan Moro, Ballart, Gomez, Perez, Toril, Daniel Moro (2). Coach: Juan Jane.

QUARTERFINALS (July 22)
Hungary - Slovakia 13-5
Greece - United States 4-2
Serbia-Montenegro - Spain 7-3
Italy - Australia 7-3

SEMIFINALS (July 24): Hungary - Greece, Serbia-Montenegro - Italy.

Previous News

• Group B, Gameday 1 (July 14): Serbia-Montenegro - United States 5-5
• Group B, Gameday 2 (July 16): Serbia-Montenegro - Australia 7-6
• Group B, Gameday 3 (July 18): Serbia-Montenegro - Japan 15-7
• Eighth finals (July 20): Serbia-Montenegro - Romania 11-3