U.S. Men Stun Italy 10-8 in Super Final Semifinal; Will Face Montenegro for Gold in Georgia

It was as stunning an outcome for the U.S. men’s water polo program as any in recent memory. Against an Italian squad that will contend for a medal at the Tokyo Olympics later this month, the underdog Americans squeaked out a gutty 10-8 win over the top seed to advance to the gold medal match of the FINA World League Super Final being held in Tbilisi, Georgia. It’s the best international result for Team USA since an 11-10 win over Croatia in the 2018 World League Super Final group play.

This is now the third time that the Americans will play for top honors in this tournament. They captured silver in two previous Olympic years: 2008 and 2016.

The championship match between the U.S. and Montenegro is today at 12pm EST / 9am PST and can be viewed on Flo Sports (subscription required). Click here to sign up.

A gold medal in Tbilisi would be the capstone for one of the best sustained performances under current U.S. head coach Dejan Udovicic. With a blowout win over recent rival Japan and now a victory over one of the top teams in the world (albeit one missing Edoardo di Somma and Vincenzo Renzuto Iodice, who recently helped Brescia upset Pro Recco in the Italian Serie A1 Cup) this is an impressive stretch for the sometimes beleaguered American men.

Drew Holland started in gaol and was a difference maker for the U.S. Photo: USAWP

The last time the American men won a match that mattered over Italy was in 2016 at the Rio Olympics; it was the final game of group play and it didn’t matter to the Italians; they had already advanced to the quarterfinals. That the U.S. did not advance was a significant blow to the program’s fortunes and forced Udovicic to retool. Only four of the athletes who suited up for Rio were in the pool at Tsibli: Alex Bowen, Luca Cupido, Ben Hallock and Jesse Smith. Neither of that quartet had a measurable impact on the match as none of them scored. Bowen, the American’s best shooter, did have a number of high-quality looks on Italian goalie Marco Del Lungo

The most impressive player in the water on Wednesday was a junior in high school in 2016. Hannes Daube, now with a team-high 12 goals for the tournament, is only 21 and the American’s best hope for the present and future. He scored three times against Italy including the equalizer at 7-all early in the third period and then converted a penalty shot later in the period to put the U.S. up by two goals. For his efforts the young Californian was named man of the match.

Togetherness is key! U.S. players prior to the match against Italy. Photo: USAWP

There were many heroes on this day for Udovicic’s side. Alex Obert replaced an ineffective Hallock at set and score two big goals. Marko Vavic also had two scores, including the American’s final tally with three minutes remaining in the match and the Italians furiously striving for the equalizer.

But perhaps the biggest star for the Americans—and one who is now creating a dilemma for Udovicic—was goalie Drew Holland. The acknowledged back-up to Alex Wolf had an outstanding match, particularly in the second half when he picked up 10 of his total of 14 saves in the match. It will be telling who starts in goal today against Montenegro; both goalies split time in an opening-round 10-6 loss to the Montenegrins.

Also noteworthy is that it was a more experienced Italian team—one that in 2019 captured a FINA World Championship—that lost its composure at a critical moment. Early in the third period with his team up a goal, Italy’s Matteo Aicardi was booked for brutality and sent off for the match. Daube converted the penalty and Max Irving (two goals) scored on the ensuing power play—a two goal swing which changed the match in the American’s favor.

That and with a man-up Italy was brutal, going 1-14 with the extra man. The Americans were a significantly better 7 of 15 on power play attempts.

Conversely, the U.S. did NOT wilt under pressure. They held Italy scoreless in a pivotal third period and held serve in the fourth to score a dramatic win. If this American team—with an average age of 26, not including the ageless Smith—goes on to success in Tokyo, many will look back at this match and cite it as a key indicator of a young squad coming together at the perfect time.