Romania's men's national polo team miraculously qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris, both following the results of the recently concluded World Cup (10th place), but especially due to the withdrawal of South Africa from the ultimate competition at the end of the summer. The first under the line after the WC, the representative “tricolor” was announced yesterday that it will take the place of the Africans at Paris 2024.
Romania is going to the Olympics, after South Africa withdrew. Facebook photo
For the boys coached by Bogdan Rath, yesterday was magnificent: they found out that they will go to the Olympics, after a place was freed up by the withdrawal of the South African team. Then they found out their opponents in the group, only names one and one: Croatia, Italy, Greece, USA and Montenegro.
In group B Australia, Serbia, France, Hungary, Japan and Spain were distributed. The top four will advance to the quarterfinals. The group games will be played in the Paris Aquatics Center, and the knockout stages in the Paris La Défense Arena. The Olympic polo tournament is scheduled from July 27 to August 11.
She lost to most of her opponents at the Olympic Games
Romania's national polo team has already played in two big competitions at the beginning of the year: the European Championship – in January (8th place) and the World Championship – in February (10th place). During the two final tournaments, the “tricolors” met almost all opponents from the Olympic group, except Croatia. And in front of everyone we bowed, Montenegro even beating us twice: 18-11 at the Euro and 12-9 at the WC. In the last competition, the USA beat Romania 13-9 in the match for the 9th-10th places, and Italy managed us a 16-10 in the group stage.
12 teams participate in the Olympic polo tournament
Nevertheless, the selector Bogdan Rath is optimistic. He is not talking about qualifying for the knockout stages of Paris 2024, but about “a nice figure”. “I am very happy for this qualification. It's the culmination of a job I've done with these guys for almost two years. We followed a route where we had European Championships, World Cup, again European and World. We absolutely needed such a result and I hope to stay as long as possible in this circuit of competitions. In Paris, I hope we will make the best possible appearance. We will not be satisfied with just the qualification”the “tricolor” coach declared for gsp.ro
