The US v Spain U20 Championship
We’ve seen some superhuman performances from both the US and Spanish sides throughout the course of this tournament.
Spain basically steamrolled everyone they faced, while the US had to climb the Himalayas of U20 water polo, first defeating Serbia in a shoot-out, then facing the ever dangerous Hungarian squad. They summited Lhotse and Kangchenjunga. Now only the Spanish Mount Everist remained.
Something that stands out in many championship games is many times they are lower scoring affairs. Both of these teams boast excellent defense. These are team’s that have no issue scoring, but championship defenses always have a way of mucking up even the best tacticians.
1st Quarter
The lefty Sabadell came out of the gates humming, scoring 2 emphatic goals in the first few minutes of play.
There was a rough turn of events early, Schneider drew a 5 meter, Dodd took the penalty shot that ended with a goalie block. Spain immediatly drew a 5m off of the American missed penalty. Spain tried a quick. Mills stuffed it.
Spain is so good on defense at arriving as the ball is arriving. Offensively, they are super fast, use the 0 meter line extremely well, and are great at playing tic-tac-toe
Spain is also highly adept at forcing the goalie hold the ball after stops. They get into a high lane press early in transition defense. Which kept them playing defense for considerably less time in front of their cage than their American counterparts.
Sabadell scored to start the 2nd qtr. Their offense was off balanced, from a 3 clear drive and Sabadell scored a natural from 6 meters. Shooting accurately while an Olympic level defender is in your face is no easy task. It takes extreme leg strength and balance to pull that off.
Dodd, Perrone, & Sabadell all have the legs and the balance to get shots off under duress.
Dodd long cross drive, quick to Castillo - Ohl drew KO.
Schneider picked up his 2nd midway through the 2nd quarter - Spain did a good job of neutralizing the 2 headed hydra that is Castillo and Schneider.
Spain presses to the gutter. Forces long entry passes from the perimeter that are more easily dealt with.
Both teams taking some uncharacteristic early shots on 6/5
US was 1/6 on 6/5 in the first half.
Neither team had a fast break. Speed generally neutralized speed. There are multiple guys on each of these squads that swim like barracudas.
8-5 USA on a Ohl wrist-er on a brilliant drive & find from Dodd.
This is the painful part of water polo and a demonstration of how success can lie on a razors-edge. The 3 goal lead is the worst lead in water polo. The US team did the right thing by staying aggressive, but…
A US offensive foul on the counter-attack opened up Spains first counter attack goal. Score is now 8-6.
USA earns an exclusion. Offensive foul on a 6/5, then a back-court ejection off of a forced shot from 6 on 6/5.
Good defense can be frustrating to watch when you’re cheering for the offense.
Reffing
There was a bigger reliance on VAR than I would have liked to see, and there we’re a few inconsistencies that are worthy of discussion…however….
In defense of the reffing, this was a hard one. Both teams are physical and extremely intelligent. Most of the players in the pool know exactly what something *looks* like vs. what is actually occurring underwater, and both teams play that to their advantage.
A prime example of this is what our centers dealt with this game. While there is contact on the head area as the ball is being entered, the Spanish defender is getting their hand on the ball and putting it underwater. It is an exclusion worthy movement, but the ref is seeing a ball under as a result. And its easy make the assumption that since the ball is underwater, the call is ball-under.
Did it impact the outcome of the game? Who knows. Both sides had their moments of not agreeing with particular calls.
A couple of notes on the Spanish 5 - man
1/9 thru 3 quarters on man-up for the US.
There were a few mistakes and early shots that are uncharacteristic for this US squad, but all credit must go to the Spanish keeper and their beautiful 5 man defense. You don’t make those sorts of mistakes unless you are under duress constantly.
A really good 5 man appears to the offense like you are still 6 v 6.
The way Spain accomplishes this is a defense I call “situational/modified 2 stroke”. Each of their perimeter field blockers is covering about 2 strokes of water towards their shooting responsibility and then is immediately back on the post once their player passes the ball.
They anticipate, hit the shooter if they are nearby, and recover, as if they are all on a string. Any lazy pass is tipped.
Moving over your hips after field blocking is a skill you can develop, and this is a team of savants in that particular skill. I’m actually writing an upcoming article on the importance of being able to cover water with one breaststroke kick.
Winning time.
8-8 start of 4th.
Dodd immediately draws 5 meter on a long drive. 5->1 clear, 2-5 drive with ball at 4.
Brinkema converts 5M.
Spain comes down and scores a beautiful natural backhand knotting the game back at 9-9.
Broke through and scored our 2nd goal on 6/5. 1-3 post. Redirect. 10-9 USA.
5M call for Spain which Sabadell converts knotted the game up at 10.
Leichtey immediately responds with a cross cage rip. 11-10.
Inside the 2 at 3 post sends Spain on its way. That wiped a would-be goal off the board for us.
Mills big block off a 6 m foul from Sabadell.
US turns the ball over on 6/5 with game tied 11-11.
Sabadell got tricky with the hand-fight and earned a ticky-tack exclusion on Dodd, which Sabadell quickly converted. 12-11.
While the final score was 14-11, it does not accurately describe how much time the US was in control of the game or how close it actually was. Hats off to all of the competitors for a helluva tournament.
What I saw was a US team that was prepared for the moment, and with just a few bar outs and slight shifts in momentum fell just short. Though this was a 3 goal game at the end, either team could have blown it open.
Another incredible game. I can’t believe theses guys are playing at this level, at this age. They make me forget that I’m watching young guns.
Congratulations to the US team, as this is the furthest a Men’s side has ever gotten in U20 Worlds, massive accomplishment. The way these guys prepared and fought is truly something to be proud of.
And Spain - phew, what a run. Excited to see some of these guys playing stateside!
Catch you poolside.