Croatia Edges Serbia to Reach U16 Water Polo World Championship Final

Croatia's U16 men's water polo team has advanced to the World Championship final after a hard-fought 12-11 victory over Serbia in Zagreb. The intense semifinal match, played before a packed crowd at the Sava swimming complex, saw Croatia overcome a deficit to secure their place in the championship game.

Serbia led for much of the match, holding a three-goal advantage early in the first quarter and maintaining leads of one or two goals throughout. Croatia only managed to take their first lead in the final seconds of the third quarter. Serbia fought back in the fourth quarter, regaining the lead at 10-9 and later 11-10. However, Croatia rallied in the closing minutes. Ante Domazet scored the equalizer with 2:04 remaining, and Vito Lokas netted the winning goal with just over a minute left on the clock.

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To be honest, they were better for most of the match. We have been struggling with illnesses and numerous problems for the past month, but perhaps everything is coming back to us now. Believe it or not, this semifinal day is the first in the last 30 in which all of us have been together, healthy, with no one sick.

Croatian head coach Bruno Sabioni acknowledged that Serbia had played better for most of the game. He attributed the victory to his team's heart and resilience, noting that they had been struggling with illnesses and numerous problems for the past month. Sabioni stated that the semifinal was the first day in 30 days where all players were healthy and available. Despite not playing their best game and being easily penetrated by Serbia, the team "tightened up" and performed when it mattered most, demonstrating the characteristics of a great team.

Croatia is set to face Spain in the final. Spain secured their spot by defeating the United States 12-11 in a penalty shootout in the other semifinal. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday at 8:30 PM.

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We won this match with heart. We didn't have the game we wanted; they 'broke through' us quite easily, but in the end, we 'tightened up' and when it was necessary to show that something more, we did it. We consolidated, and only great teams can really do that.