The U.S. women's waterpolo team had been undefeated in the Olympics for 13 years.Continue reading
After an exciting endgame, the Hungarian women’s water polo team defeated the Netherlands 14-11 at the Tokyo Olympics, reaching the semifinals where they will play against Spain.
In the group phase, the Hungarians secured a stunning victory against the U.S. national team, who had been undefeated in the Olympics for the past 13 years. In the following match, the Hungarians confidently outplayed Olympic host Japan, but then lost to China to finish second in Group B.
As a result, the Hungarian team had to play against the Netherlands, who were third in Group A.
As the Hungarian water polo team has successfully defeated the Netherlands several times, the prospect of victory did not seem out of the realm of possibilities.
Last year, Hungary defeated the Dutch team in the bronze medal match at the European Championships, then again in the final of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Trieste.
During the match in Tokyo, the Hungarian team managed to take the lead several times, but the Dutch did not surrender and always equalized.
The turning point came in the fourth quarter when the Hungarian team took the lead 12-10. Two minutes before the end of the match, the Dutch managed to score another goal. After that, however, they were unable to find the Hungarian net resulting in Hungary’s 14-11 victory.
The next opponent of the Hungarian polo squad in the semifinals will be Spain on Thursday.
Featured photo by Tamás Kovács/MTI