Spain, world bronze in water polo by beating Greece in the last second

This Friday, the Spanish women's water polo team won the bronze medal at the World Cup in Doha (Qatar) after beating Greece 10-9 in a heart-stopping finale, thanks to a goal by Elena Ruiz at the buzzer and an empty goal, after a very even duel in which the Spanish competed in some sections in a tight grip, without success but with a final prize. The players led by Miki Oca suffered, who only signed five goals in 16 superiorities. Despite this, there was celebration.

Spain, defeated two days earlier by the powerful United States, achieved a three-goal lead with 6:27 minutes remaining, the largest difference of the match. But, instead of breaking down, the Greeks managed a 0-3 run to even the score. When it seemed that the fight was going to be decided on penalties, Spain managed to take the bronze in a crazy play, with Greece attacking with goalkeeper-player, but committing a counterfoul.

After a first failed attempt by Judith Forca to shoot into an empty goal – a penalty not awarded – Paula Leitón made a second attempt to shoot, but was prevented by three rivals. Then, the ball was loose and Elena Ruiz took it, unleashing a left-footed shot from the center of the pool (15 meters) that allowed Spain to climb to the Doha 2024 podium as the third best team in the world, in the first World Cup bronze the history of the women's water polo team.

“I have scored some goals like that, but with a goalkeeper, in the last seconds. No goalkeeper, ever. There is also that mini-stress of thinking that without having to see if she was going to throw her out of her…”, noted the protagonist. “This finale has been the summary of the tournament, a roller coaster of emotions. A final drama that ended well. “We started very well in the group stage against Greece, then it was difficult for us against the United States and this has been a match in which first we did well, then badly… All the time like a roller coaster, but in the end we won,” Ruiz added.

“We had never won a game like this, it was brutal,” added Anna Espar. The coach, for his part, stressed the quality of the Greeks. “You have to value the work of your rivals. If we are three up and they come back, it is not that we have done things wrong, it is that we had a great team in front of us,” said Oca; “Those of us who have been in sports for many years know that things like this happen in all championships, and that fluctuations in games are normal. Leaving here with a bronze is something to be very proud of. “Now let's enjoy this and, of course, we already have the preparation for Paris in mind.”

The medal achieved by women's water polo is the eighth that the Spanish delegation has achieved in the Doha event after the silvers obtained by María de Valdés (10km in open water), the artistic technical team, Dennis González (artistic free only), Dennis González and Mireia Hernández (free mixed duo) and Hugo González (100m backstroke), and the bronzes from Adrián Abadía and Nico García (3m synchronized, jumping) and Iris Tió and Alisa Ozhogina (artistic technical duo).

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