The Serbian men’s water polo team defeated the United States 10-6 in the semifinals at the Paris Olympics, led by Nikola Dedovic’s four goals. Serbia, aiming for a third consecutive Olympic gold, showcased their strength after a shaky start in group play.
Although Dusan Mandic was shut out, Serbia’s captain, Nikola Jaksic, scored three times, and goalkeeper Radoslav Filipovic made 10 saves. Serbia’s path to the semis included a thrilling 12-11 victory over Greece, securing a spot in the gold-medal match on Sunday against the winner of Hungary and Croatia.
The U.S., making their first semifinal appearance since 2008, played without Johnny Hooper but showed resilience. Despite the loss to Serbia, Marko Vavic scored two goals, with other contributions from Ben Hallock, Luca Cupido, Alex Bowen, and Ryder Dodd.
Alex Obert lamented the team’s inability to finish, while Hannes Daube, the top scorer for the U.S., was shut out in a disappointing turn. Hooper’s suspension was reduced, allowing him to play in the bronze-medal match.
Overall, Serbia’s victory marks a significant moment in the water polo competition, setting the stage for an exciting gold-medal match in Paris.
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