In pool, landmark win for Americans
BEIJING - The United States' most significant men's water polo victory in two decades might not mean anything.
Tony Azevedo scored three goals and the Americans used stifling defense to upset world No. 1 Croatia, 7-5, in Olympic preliminary play yesterday.
The victory, the most surprising of the week at Yingdong Natatorium, could be meaningless if the US doesn't beat Germany tomorrow. But if the Americans win, they would earn a spot in the quarterfinals and would have an outside shot at advancing directly to the semifinals.
The US (3-1) never trailed against the mustachioed Croats (3-1), getting an early power-play goal from Azevedo, building a three-goal lead in the second quarter and holding on down the stretch.
"They were playing as well as anyone here," US coach Terry Schroeder said of Croatia. "[The Americans have] got to know now that if they play like that, they can win this thing. They honestly can win this thing. It's a huge boost, but it doesn't mean anything unless we win [tomorrow]."
Tim Hutten, Ryan Bailey, Peter Varellas, and Adam Wright also scored for the US, which held the Croatians to 0-for-15 shooting from the 5-meter mark. Goalkeeper Merrill Moses stopped 11 of 16 shots.
When it was over, the Americans celebrated in the pool much longer than usual - savoring every second of the victory.
"I've been waiting for that one for a while," Moses said.
The Americans came to Beijing as long shots to return to the medal stand for the first time since 1988.
But the players' confidence grew with victories against China and Italy. They found even more hope in a 4-2 loss to Serbia two days ago. The US had several chances to upset the Serbs, but Azevedo was 0-for-8 shooting, including a missed penalty shot.
"Tony's one of the best players in the world," Schroeder said. "Serbia really shut him down and he came out with something to prove. He came out with a little fire in his eyes and did a great job for us, found those holes and was able to put the ball away."
Azevedo scored the team's first two goals yesterday, both in extra-man situations. His third was the most impressive.
He propelled his upper body out of the water, and with two defenders in his face, swayed to the left and zipped the ball past four flailing arms and the goalie. His acrobatic goal made it 6-4 with about five minutes to play.
Maro Jokovic pulled the Croats within 6-5, with 2:17 remaining. But Bailey's power-play goal from the right wing with 1:33 left gave the Americans the cushion they needed to hang on.
"We came into this tournament and knew we had the capabilities of beating everyone," Azevedo said. "This really showed that that game [against Serbia] was a fluke and we're a gold medal-contention team."
The Croats - who grew their mustaches as a sign of team unity - were the consensus pick to win gold in Beijing, and looked every bit the part in their first three games. They beat Italy, Serbia, and Germany by a combined 15 goals.
Players talked like it was a foregone conclusion they would win Group B and earn an automatic spot in the semifinals.
"Us and Serbia are a bit better than the USA," Croatian captain Zdeslav Vrdoljak said earlier in the week. "They probably will be the third team in our group."
The top three teams in each group advance, with the winner going straight to the semifinals. 