I think this is a real test to see where this team is at for this Olympics. The Italians play a very physical style of water polo that has really caused problems for the men’s team in the past. They will need to be able to match the physicality without losing their composure to have a shot in this game.
I want the men to win, but I think Italy is a formidable foe. Italy by 3 and I hope I get proven wrong.
Already a rough game for U.S after quarter 1. Couple defensive lapses can’t happen. I will say there 6 on 5 passing is the best I’ve ever seen from the U.S
That first half wasn’t our best water polo that’s for sure. The attack especially in the extra man has been hurried and disorganized at times for how many we are drawing. The front court defense isn’t bad, it’s the transition that is killing the US. The Italians look much more patient and are just finding the opportunities on the lapses of the US.
8-4 Italy, not looking good at all.
You can’t score 4 goals across three and a half quarters and expect to win a game. The US has just not had anything consistent or effective on the offensive end of the pool.
And the Italians are almost scoring at will now. Just superior positioning and shooting.
More of the same from the USA men: offensive droughts, poor 6 v 5, lack of discipline.
Montenegro looked pretty good so just making the crossover is going to be a long shot.
I’m not wise on a lot of the technical aspects beyond the basics of water polo but the whole game just looked like 32 minutes of Italy being dedicated to physically kicking our guy’s asses and wearing on them relentlessly…
That has to take a toll.
Brek & Polopop, spot on. USA could not match Italy physicality. Though it also burned Italy in penalties, but we could not execute what the need was to stay in game. A few goals by Italy where the 1 or 5 had the wrong hand up or not at all. Several advantages where two passes then shoot. Irving, Daube, Bowen good. Hallock I’m mixed as he often had a drop 2nd defender on him. Italy just a better team today.
The women definitely struggled today in their 13-11 loss to Spain. Spain’s shooters were were outstanding and really exposed the US’ defense. Johnson was even off today. I am sure that Krikorian will right the ship and have them ready for Italy on Wednesday.
Is anyone else having difficulties with the Peacock streaming service? There seems to be an annoying bar at the bottom that prevents analysis. Any way to download the games?
Yes, an off game all the way around. For the first time, AJ was human. 6x5 no execution last several minutes. We’ve seen this before last Olympics losing to Hungary early. Spain looked very confident and attacked from the first whistle. I still have full confidence, they are the champions until they aren’t.
Streaming was good for me. Shocked NBC had the audible on AK on that last 6x5.
It also seemed like their shot blocking was off, allowing Ruiz to score from so many outside shots. This was evident in the replay.
Great coverage by NBC. I also thought it was weird to have audio on that last TO.
How far the mighty have fallen:
Australia 8, Serbia 3
Six members of the Australian team played college water polo in the United States (four at USC and two at Pacific). The Australian/USC pipeline has not carried over into the Pintaric regime.
I don’t think Serbia will make the QFs. Good game against Romania by US, but we’re gonna really need to step it up against Greece, Montenegro and Croatia. At least 2/3 need to be wins for any chance to avoid facing Spain/Hungary in the QFs
Bowen’s only played 12 minutes each game? Seems odd he’s not playing more
As mentioned earlier, the men are training/playing in Europe but are/were scattered about playing for different teams. This is (still) not a recipe for success. Our only chance to stay with any of the top teams is to have a much better conversion percentage on man-up situations. The only way to improve on that statistic is you continually play as a group as much as possible…year round. So, in other words…every four years, the men are relegated to playing second fiddle before games even begin. Also, time for Dejan to go back to coaching the Serbians…they could use his help this go-around.
As an aside, the ?Aussie? woman who is calling many of the non-US games is just awful. I lost track of the number of times a contra foul or a penalty was called and she didn’t notice in the France Japan game. Low point was a contra foul, followed by a Japanese counter attack while she was saying “and France will retain the ball.” Goal, Japan! Does not understand the game or what the officials are calling, and in the France/Japan game kept confusing two French players who are both dark-skinned. (Thomas Vernoux and Bodegas)
Japan can’t seem to win a game, but they sure are fun to watch.
She is definitely annoying. “They are attempting to get the ball into the forward center…”
Does anyone know why NBC doesn’t have Tony doing the color commentary for both the US men’s and US women’s games?