A routine job and a victorious entry into 2019 for the Croatia water polo team, who defeated Romania in Izvorani near Bucharest on Tuesday.
The Croatia water polo team defeated Romania 11-7 (2-2, 2-0, 3-3, 4-2) in the fourth game of Group D in the Europa Cup/World League, which allowed Croatia to advance to the final tournament of the Europa Cup, to be held in Zagreb from April 5 to 7, 2019, reports Slobodna Dalmacija on January 29, 2019.
Croatia's second win in this competition was led by Loren Fatović who scored four goals and Ante Visković, Ivan Buljubašić and Luka Lozin who scored two goals each. Luka Lončar scored one. For Romania, Negrean, Gheorghe and Georgescu each scored two. Loren Fatović was named the MVP of the game by FINA.
Croatia has thus picked up seven points from three matches and leads the group with two points ahead of second-placed Serbia, while Romania is in third with no points.
Croatia will play the next match in the group on March 12 at home against Serbia, while Serbia will host Romania on February 19. Both games have no significance, as Croatia and Serbia have both advanced to the Europa Cup final, i.e., the European part of the qualifications for the Superfinals of the World League.
At the finals of the Europa Cup, which will be played in Zagreb from April 5 to 7, the two top teams from each of the four groups will place. Thus, the Croatian public will have the chance to see the best water polo teams of Europe and the world.
From this tournament, the three best teams will place in the Superfinal of the World League, and Europe could have a fourth team if the final competition is held in Europe.
Last year's World League winners were Montenegro.
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