Water polo players from Rijeka conquered the swimming pools at Kantrida
The fourth day of the European Universities Games was full of suspense and anticipation due to the final match of men’s water polo between two Croatian teams: the home team from the University of Rijeka and the team from the Croatian capital, the University of Zagreb. On a slightly different territory, but still their own, the water polo players from Rijeka won against their rivals 5:3 in the indoors pool at Kantrida.
Rijeka dominated the match from start to finish. Only once during the whole match was the score even, and that was at the very start of the game when it was 1:1. Afterwards, Rijeka scored four more goals and had a 2-goal advantage three times (3:1, 4:2, and the final 5:3). The match was even and tough, but the water polo players in white caps conquered the pool at Kantrida.
The athletes from Rijeka appeared confident during the whole match and they deserved to win the gold medal. The team from Zagreb gave the team from Rijeka a run for their money, but they failed to seriously threaten Rijeka’s lead.
The crowded stands enjoyed the medal ceremony as three Croatian teams were at the top – Rijeka won the gold medal, Zagreb the silver, while Split took the bronze.
Rijeka men’s team on the winning podium
After their brilliant performance against the University of Technology and Economics in Budapest, the men’s water polo team from Rijeka made another impressive feat, winning the final match against the University of Zagreb. Under the competent mentorship of Egon Juričić and Toni Krola, Mario Štkoći, Filip Brkić and Deni Cerniar all scored 3 goals for Rijeka, while the best scorers of the Zagreb team were Luka Mrvičić, Martin Šteković and Luka Vrdoljak.
‘We didn’t expect this. Our inital goal was to reach the semi-finals, but with a little lack and a lot of hard work we have achieved the ultimate goal, becoming champions,’ said Toni Krolo.
Rijeka women’s water polo team also won a medal
The woman’s team from Rijeka proved that Croatian women too know how to play water polo, losing the final against the Dutch to win the silver. Radbound University Nijmegen played well, giving the Croatian women no chances to win the gold in their home pool. Radboud scored six times, conceding only three goals. The first half was marked by tough performances from both sides, and the spectators could see only three goals. The Dutchwomen stepped up a gear in the second half; Iris Wolves scored three times, determining the outcome. Emma Miliković, Andrea Valentin and Ivana Butić scored for Rijeka.
The atmosphere at the indoor pool was as many had come to support the home teams.
‘I think the girls were a bit too impressed with the atmosphere, the audience and the television broadcast. The Dutch have impressive physique. They are physically stronger and play in stronger leagues, so perhaps the referees’ criteria favored them: they were allowed a lot of physical contact. But my girls gave their best and I think this is a great achievement. The Dutch women’s national water polo team are the current champions of Europe, there are 400 hundred water polo clubs in the Netherlands, and most of these players play in those clubs. This is a great success for us,’ said Darko Ažić, the coach of the Rijeka women’s team.
‘I’m satisfied, although there few teams in the tournament, but it will be better next time. The second places is a success, but I expected we would win the gold, but what is done is done’, she said.
Radboud University of Nijmegen won the gold, the University of Rijeka won the silver, while the bronze went to the University of Edinburgh.
