UPDATED 31/05/2017
The Austrian National Team has been the first squad to earn a victory in the first qualifying round of the 33rd LEN European Water Polo Championships.
The Austrians beat Bulgaria with a clear 16-7 result and are now tied with Switzerland, that beat the host team, the Czech Republic, 8-7.
The European Championships have kicked off in Prague, were the first stage of the men’s qualification tournament is being held. The first two
classified teams will go through to the next round, scheduled in October.
The Austrians Onur Celebic and Ferenc Makray, with five goals each, have been the major stars of the opening game, that has had the following quarters: 4-2, 5-1, 4-3 and 3-1.
The host team wasn’t able to clinch the victory in front of a home crowd in the swimming pool of the Podoli District. The squad led by Martin Musli lost narrowly
to Switzerland and is now forced to win the remaining matches in order to have a chance to qualify for the second round. The Swiss team won after Petar Bjelajac,
one of its main players, seized a key opportunity just 33 seconds before the end of the match.
After an outstanding start by the Switzerland (4-0 in the second quarter), the host team tied the game, but it wasn’t enough as the Swiss team took every chance to win.
Tomorrow, Austria will face the Czech Republic and Switzerland will play against Hungary. If Austria and Switzerland win their matches they will secure the two spots to
the next round and advance in the road to Barcelona 2018.
