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(Photo credit: European Aquatics/Istvan Derencsenyi)
Croatia has been beaten by Spain in the final of the 2024 European Water Polo Championship in Zagreb tonight.
Croatia, who beat Spain in their group match, could not do it for a second time tonight and would go down 11-10 in a tightly-fought final.
With 1,500 Croatian fans behind them, the home side started off the stronger of the two and went out to an early lead. Captain and goalkeeper Marko Bijač made some good early saves and Croatia would lead 5-3 after the first quarter.
(Photo credit: European Aquatics/Istvan Derencsenyi)
Ante Vukičević and Luka Bukić, who scored four goals in the opening half, helped Croatia to stretch the lead in the second quarter to three goals, but Spain would fight back and narrow the score to 7-6 at halftime.
(Photo credit: European Aquatics/Istvan Derencsenyi)
Spain levelled the match at the start of the third quarter but Croatia would regain the lead and after Bijač made two important saves, Loren Fatović would put Croatia 10-8 up going into the final quarter.
It was a nervous final eight minutes for the home fans but Bijač was in great form, making some incredible saves. Croatia would lead 10-8 with just over two minutes remaining but back-to-back goals would see Spain snatch it at the end.
Croatia were aiming to win consecutive titles and their third in total.