Two traditional powerhouses, Croatia men’s national water polo team and Hungary men’s national water polo team, opened the Rotterdam Cup with expected victories, though neither had it all their own way on the opening day of the preparation tournament.
Croatia edged a lively contest against Turkey men’s national water polo team 19:10 after shaking off a slow start. The Croats led 3:1 early on, but Turkey responded with a 4:0 run to move 5:3 ahead midway through the second quarter. Croatia regrouped to take a narrow 7:6 lead into halftime before asserting control after the break. Led by Loren Fatović, who finished with five goals, and Andrija Bašić with three, Croatia dominated the second half to pull clear.
The second match saw Netherlands men’s national water polo team push Hungary hard in front of the home crowd. The Dutch raced to a 4:2 lead after the first quarter and extended it to 6:2 early in the second, before Hungary cut the deficit to 6:5 by halftime. The Netherlands again moved two goals clear in the third period at 9:7, but Hungary finished strongly, scoring five unanswered goals across the final quarter and a half to secure a 12:9 victory. Krisztián Manhercz led the comeback with three goals.
Both wins put Croatia and Hungary off to solid starts in Rotterdam as they continue their build-up ahead of the major tournaments to come.
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