The Romanian national team was outclassed by Georgia with a score of 24-12 (6-2, 6-7, 3-2, 9-1), on Thursday evening, thus missing the qualification for the quarter-finals of Division 1 of the World Cup men’s water polo, from Otopeni.
The tricolors suffered their third consecutive failure in Otopeni, after 7-10 against the USA, bronze medalist at the 2024 Olympics, and 12-16 against Japan, in the group.
Georgia is considered close level, being coached by the Greek Athanasios Kechagias, the former Romanian coach.
The goals of the team coached by Bogdan Rath were scored by Vlad Georgescu (5), Levente Vancsik (2), Francesco Iudean (1), Matei Luțescu (1), Tudor Fulea (1), Andrei Prioteasa (1), David Belenyesi (1 ).
In other playoffs for the quarters, Spain disposed of Serbia 14-9 and Montenegro beat France 18-13.
On Friday, the quarter-finals will be played: Hungary – Georgia (14:30), Greece – Japan (16:00), USA – Montenegro (17:30) and Croatia – Spain (19:00).
Romania will play for positions 9-11, on Friday they will face Serbia (1:00 p.m.), and then France, on January 12.
Serbia (Group B) is the Olympic champion en titre, Croatia is the Olympic vice-champion, the United States team won bronze in Paris, Spain is the European champion, but also the holder of the trophy in the World Cup.
The first six ranked in Division 1 will qualify for the Super Final, along with the two best teams in Division II, so Romania is out of the race.
