Eindhoven (pps) Italy became the sole record-winning European Women’s Water Polo Champion when they gained their fifth title (1995, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2012) defeating 2011 World champion Greece 13-10 in the final of the European Water Polo Championships in Eindhoven. The “Setterosa” had previously shared that honour with the Netherlands with four titles each. 2004 Olympic champion Tania di Mario, who celebrated her international comeback in Eindhoven after a two-year absence, was also elected the “Most Valuable Player” of the tournament and was awarded a Seamaster Watch by LEN partner Omega.

LEN President Nory Kruchten (Luxembourg) expressed his appreciation: “This was a fantastic day for water polo at the highest level. We are enjoying an excellent organisation and great crowds. I also like to congratulate the three medal-winning teams.” And Italy’s coach Fabio Conti rejoiced: “This was a perfect game for us. When you reach the final of a European Championship and you are capable of playing with serenity and calmness, then everything goes smoothly. Now we’ll enjoy our gold medal.”

The Greeks, who had remained unbeaten throughout the previous rounds, suffered their second defeat in a European final after Zagreb 2010 when they lost to Russia. However, their second silver medal is also their
second medal in the European Championships.

Hungary beat Russia 9-8 for the bronze medal. Italy had thwarted Russia’s opportunity of winning its fourth back-to-back European title in the semi-final (13-12) and in the end the Russians went home without a medal for the first time since 1995 in Vienna. Hungary celebrated the eleventh medal (2 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze) in the 14th Continental Championships, having missed the podium just three times – in Seville 1997, Prato 1999 and Zagreb 2010.

Final standings 2012 Women’s European Water Polo Championships:

1. Italy
2. Greece
3. Hungary
4. Russia
5. Spain
6. Netherlands
7. Great Britain
8. Germany

The men’s medals will be decided on Sunday, when 2011 World champion Italy and 2008 Olympic champion Hungary fight for bronze, and the formerly united countries Serbia and Montenegro battle it out for the title. They had met in the 2008 European final in Malaga, when Montenegro won its first ever international title 6-5 after gaining independence in 2006. The Montenegrins defeated Serbia 11-7 in their last group match in Eindhoven, and celebrated their first win for three years over their rivals.

Photo (Team Italy) _Copyright DEEPBLUEMEDIA.EU/G.SCALA.

LEN Media Team