The men’s T-shirts opened by defeating the host team

Olympics, men’s water polo tournament, group B, 1st round:
Hungary-France 13-12 (5-1, 4-4, 1-2, 3-5)
scorers: Vigvári Vi. 3, Jansik Sz., Manhercz, Vámos 2-2, Varga Dé., Angyal, Fekete, Zalánki 1-1, and T. Vernoux 4, Bodegas 3, Khasz 2, Bouet, Crousillat, M. Vernoux 1-1

Hungary: Soma Vogel – Dénes Varga, Krisztián Manhercz, Szilárd Jansik, Erik Molnár, Ádám Nagy, Gergő Zalánki – replacements: Dániel Angyal, Márton Vámos, Gergő Fekete, Vince Vigvári, Balázs Hárai

In the recent period, the Hungarians have had several problems with the French, in the quarter-finals of the World Championship in Doha in February, the rival won to a huge surprise, which also made it difficult for Zsolt Varga’s team in the preparatory match in Budapest before the Olympics.

In style, the only active Hungarian Olympic champion, Dénes Varga, scored the first goal of the match in the packed Vizes Központ, where the hosts also quickly introduced themselves, turning their first man advantage into a goal in seconds. The Hungarians took the lead back from a double chance, Vince Vigvári shot into the net from the left wing, and then the Olympic rookie, last year’s junior and senior world champion, scored again, this time from a free throw.

Dazzling Hungarian start

The defense was very united, and in front, Márton Vámos’ bomb found its way into the net over three blocking hands and over the head of the French goalkeeper (4-1). The brilliant start continued, after Krisztián Manhercz won the ball, Erik Molnár fought for a goal, which Vigvári brutally smashed into the bottom right corner, scoring his third goal (5-1).

From the first Hungarian attack of the second quarter, Dániel Angyal “introduced himself” with another huge goal, then Vogel Soma reminded everyone that it is the most difficult in the world for him to score from five meters, Ugo Crousillat’s penalty was saved by the two-time FTC Champions League winner. In the end, the host made it better with Michael Bodegas’ center goal, then the 37-year-old flashed again, turning away from Gergő Zalánki and shooting into the bottom left corner.

The Hungarians only got stuck in attack for a short time, at the end of a well-played half, team captain Jansik Szilárd scored from close range. Varga sold a ball in front, but in the back he improved immediately with a superb defense, and Gergő Fekete scored his first goal at the Olympics at the end of the corner. From the counterattack, the hero of the French in Doha, Thomas Vernoux, who scored five goals in that quarter-final, including the winner, scored from a deflection. After a counter, Bodegas fought for five meters, and Vernoux was merciless. There was still time for a Hungarian attack before the break, which was enough for Krisztián Manhercz to score his first goal (9-5).

Still, the ending was exciting

In the third act, the spectators couldn’t see a goal for almost five minutes, Vogel was the final stop in the first two French games, but he didn’t help in the third. Before playing the second Hungarian goal of the quarter, the captain asked for time, and at the end of the attack played to the extreme, Manhercz pulled the ball into the short. The rival scored 9 seconds before the whistle, so the match was still somewhat open for the hair (10-7).

The final eight minutes were started by Jansik’s goal with a man advantage, but the answer came immediately from Enzo Khasz’s beautiful shot. The Hungarians didn’t let the hosts get any closer at that point, Zalánki scored a huge goal off the post, but Khasz got on the scoreboard again with a huge shot. Dénes Varga tried an incredible twisting move, but it didn’t hit the goal, but the French got another five-meter penalty thanks to Bodegas, which Vernoux shot in.

At the break, the French goalkeeper caught the thread, thus keeping his teammates in the match, the Hungarians could not even overcome the man advantage thanks to Hugo Fontani. The French got another five-meter penalty, but Vogel already caught Vernoux’s third shot with 2:12 minutes left. This was followed by an amazing team work in defense, almost everyone had a block, and this practically meant victory, especially since Vámos bombed the net with elemental force. Vernoux scored another huge goal, and Bodegas flicked it into the net four seconds before the end, but the home team didn’t have time to equalize.