The men's World League: Hungary, Serbia, Croatia complete Super Final

The men's World League is set for the Super Final in Italy. On Tuesday the preliminary round in Europe was concluded with day 10 of action as the favourite group leaders all secured their spots at the Bergamo tournament late June. It did not came easy though as all three got fierce opposition from the group's runners-up. Hungary managed to held off a late Greece surge in the final period to win 12-11 in the city of Györ despite two late consecutive goals from Konstantinos Gounas. Top scorer for last year's finalists was Norbert Hosnyanszky who scored 3 goals. Serbia hosted Russia in Krusevac and used a 4-1 run in the second period to overcome the up-and-coming Russian side: 11-10. Leading the defending champions on offence were young centre back Nikola Jaksic, Stefan Mitrovic and 2014 world and European player of the year, Filip Filipovic, who scored 2 goals each. Vladislav Timakov and lefty Ivan Nagaev led all scorers with 3 apiece. The third side to confirm its presence in Italy in June is Croatia who remained undefeated in their preliminary campaign by topping Italy in a big match-up in Split on Tuesday. Leading the 2012 Olympic gold medal winning side was left-hander Maro Jokovic (pictured) who exploded for 5 goals. Alex Giorgetti, Massimo Giacoppo and Valentino Gallo scored 2 each for the Super Final hosts who were automatically qualified for the final tournament. 

Elsewhere Montenegro secured the 3rd spot in group C by rolling past Turkey in Istanbul, 5-12, while another close match-up between Slovakia and Romania again was won by the Romanians. In Bratislava Romania emerged victorious gaining a second win of the prelims, although this time in regular time: 8-9. Spain also added its second win as they held off Germany once more, in group B. The match in Barcelona on Tuesday ended in a 14-8 victory for the Spaniards. 

The World League Super Final will be played from 23-28 June in Bergamo, Italy. The winner of the tournament qualifies for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

FINA Men's World League 2014-2015

Europe preliminary round

Day 10 - Tuesday 14 April, 2015

Slovakia vs. Romania 8-9 (1-2, 4-2, 2-3, 1-2) - in Bratislava, Slovakia

Croatia vs. Italy 14-11 (3-1, 5-2, 1-4, 5-4) - in Split, Croatia

Hungary vs. Greece 12-11 (2-1, 4-2, 2-3, 4-5) - in Györ, Hungary

Serbia vs. Russia 11-10 (2-3, 4-1, 2-2, 3-4) - in Krusevac, Serbia

Spain vs. Germany 14-8 (5-4, 4-0, 3-4, 2-0) - in Barcelona, Spain

Turkey vs. Montenegro 5-12 (2-3, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4) - in Istanbul, Turkey

The final standings are as follows:

Group A

1. Hungary* 6 - 18 pts

2. Greece 6 - 12

3. Romania 6 - 5

4. Slovakia 6 - 1

Group B

1. Serbia* 6 - 18 pts

2. Russia 6 - 12

3. Spain 6 - 6

4. Germany 6 - 0

Group C

1. Croatia* 8 - 24 pts

2. Italy 8 - 17

3. Montenegro 8 - 13

4. Turkey 8 - 3

5. France 8 - 3

*Group winners qualify for World League Super Final

Super Final in Bergamo, Italy (23-28 June, 2015)

Qualified from Intercontinental Tournament:

- Australia

- Brazil

- USA

- China