LEN: European Water Polo Championships in Eindhoven / Same final as in 2008: Serbia against Montenegro 

<b>European Water Polo Championships in Eindhoven</b>
<b>Same final as in 2008: Serbia against Montenegro</b>

Eindhoven (pps) In 2005 they were still one country and won the World Championship title together, since 2006 they go their separate ways: Serbia and Montenegro. They will play each other in the men’s final at the 30th European Water Polo Championships in Eindhoven on Sunday in a repeat of the 2008 European final in Malaga when Montenegro triumphed 6-5 to achieve its first ever title.

Serbia defeated World champion Italy 12-8 in the semi-finals, Montenegro needed extra time to triumph 14-13 over 2008 Olympic champion Hungary. Montenegro’s head coach Ranko Perovic: “That was a hard game. I don’t know what to say. I’m as exhausted as my players. Congratulations to them for their fighting spirit, and I’m looking forward to the final.” Italy and Hungary will battle for bronze on Sunday. 

2010 European champion Croatia meet host Netherlands in the match for 9th place on Saturday morning. It’s Croatia’s worst ever finish at European Championships. They lost 16-15 to Romania in the penalty shoot-out after a 12-12 tie after extra time. Sandro Sukno described the team’s mood: “It doesn’t matter to us whether we finish seventh or ninth here.” Romania and Spain, who defeated the Netherlands 14-9, will play for 7th position. Both teams have booked the last two tickets to the Olympic qualifying tournament in Edmonton, Canada, in April. FYR of Macedonia finished 11th after beating Turkey 9-7. The Turks thus remained without a single victory.

While the men play the classification matches for 9th place (Croatia vs Netherlands), 7th place (Spain vs Romania) and 5th Place (Germany vs Greece) on Saturday morning, the women decide the medals in the afternoon. World champion Greece hopes to win its first European gold medal after winning silver two years ago (defeat by Russia), taking on record-winning four-time European champion Italy. Hungary and Russia play for bronze. 

<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