Water Polo: Croatia opens World Championships with big win over Argentina
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Andrija Basic of Croatia controls the ball during the men match between team Argentina (white caps) and team Croatia (blue caps) at 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall B in Fukuoka (Japan), July 17th, 2023.
Croatia has opened the 2023 Water Polo World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan with big win over Argentina.
Given that the difference in quality between these two teams is large, Croatia was expected to win comfortably and they did, winning 24-5.
Team Croatia jumps in the water during the men match between team Argentina (white caps) and team Croatia (blue caps) at 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall B in Fukuoka (Japan), July 17th, 2023.
Out of the 11 players, only Andrija Bašić failed to score a goal in the opening match and coach Ivica Tucak could not have asked for more from his players.
Croatia scored eight goals in the opening quarter, with seven different players scoring. They led 8:2 after the first quarter, 12-3 at halftime and 19-3 after the third quarter.
Konst Kharkov of Croatia controls the ball during the men match between team Argentina (white caps) and team Croatia (blue caps) at 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall B in Fukuoka (Japan), July 17th, 2023.
Tucak rested Marko Žuvela and Filip Kržić for the match.
Franko Lazic of Croatia controls the ball during the men match between team Argentina (white caps) and team Croatia (blue caps) at 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall B in Fukuoka (Japan), July 17th, 2023.
Croatia is in Group C with Argentina, Hungary and hosts Japan.
Ivica Tucak, head coach of Croatia during the men match between team Argentina (white caps) and team Croatia (blue caps) at 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall B in Fukuoka (Japan), July 17th, 2023.
Croatia’s next match is against one of the favourites, Hungary, on Wednesday.
