LEN: European Water Polo Championships in Eindhoven / Hungary and Serbia the first semi-finalists

<b>European Water Polo Championships in Eindhoven</b>
<b>Hungary and Serbia the first semi-finalists</b>

Eindhoven (pps) Record-winning World champion Serbia (4 titles) and record-winning European champion Hungary (12) are the respective group winners at the men’s 30th European Water Polo Championships in Eindhoven even before the final preliminary round of matches – and consequently the first semi-finalists. Hungary defeated yet unbeaten Greece 9-7 in Group A, while 2008 European champion Montenegro gabled away its chance on top position in Group B with the tournament’s first draw (10-10) with Spain. Serbia achieved a never endangered 14-5 victory over Romania.

Even if Hungary loses to stark outsider Turkey – which is highly improbable – they would still remain in top position due to their head-to-head results against Greece and Italy (15-5 over FYRO Macedonia). Hungary defeated Italy 12-8 on the opening day. The same holds true for Serbia in Group B. Serbia remained victorious 15-12 against the title defender. Croatia suffered a surprising 10-9 defeat by Germany and now even have to fear missing the quarter-finals. The group winners qualify directly for the semi-finals, the two second- and third-placed teams play the quarter-finals to determine the other two semi-finalists. 

Three-time Dutch Olympic swimming champion Pieter van den Hoogenband, after whom the Eindhoven Swim Stadium has been named, watched his Dutch team’s first win in front of an enthusiastic 2,500 sell-out crowd of fans on Saturday, when the Netherlands defeated Turkey 12-7. 

The women will conclude their preliminary round on Sunday. Title defender Russia and Hungary will be playing for the direct qualification for the semi-finals in Group A, while reigning World champion Greece has the best chance to win in Group B. 

<b>More information</b>

www.len.eu
www.omegatiming.com/calendar
www.ecwaterpolo2012.com

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All 74 men’s and women’s matches will be shown live on the Internet at 
http://www.len.eu/cms?events+championships+eindhoven2012+webcast