Croatia leading by beating:
Germany, Romania, Poland, Canada & Puerto Rico
Croatia's Tihomil Vranjes (R) prepares to shoot against Romania's Adrian Cretu during their match at the FINA Men's Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, January 25, 2004. The three top teams qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Croatia defeated Romania 7-5. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes
Croatia's Tihomil Vranjes (3) struggles for the ball with Germany's Soeren Mackeben (12) during their match at the FINA Men's Water Polo Olympic Games Qualification Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, January 26, 2004. The three top teams qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Croatia defeated Germany, 3-2. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes
Croatia's Ratko Stritof (top) prepares to shoot as he is pressured by Puerto Rico's William Rodriguez (2) during their match at the FINA Men's Water Polo Olympic Games (news -web sites) Qualification Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, January 29, 2004. The three top teams qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes
A stroll on the Copacabana beach could not have possibly been more relaxant than this match to the Croatian players, who shoot and scored at will. The enormous difference between the respective technical levels of the two teams was exactly reflected by both this match score and the Preliminary Round final standings. Croatia stands at 10 points (5 wins), Puerto Rico at 0 points (5 losses). Top scorers of the match were Smodlaka and Barac, with 4 goals each. | |
CROATIA: Vican (GK), Buric, Vranjes 2, Simenc 2, Volarevic (GK), Stritof 1, Smodlaka 4, Milakovic, Frankovic 2, Barac 4, Hinic 2, Fatovic 1, Kobescak. Coaches: Roje, Segvic (A). |
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