{"id":157179,"date":"2025-07-16T10:09:55","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T10:09:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/final-preliminary-round-mens-water-polo-matches-today-world-aquatics\/"},"modified":"2025-07-16T10:09:55","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T10:09:55","slug":"final-preliminary-round-mens-water-polo-matches-today-world-aquatics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/final-preliminary-round-mens-water-polo-matches-today-world-aquatics\/","title":{"rendered":"Final preliminary round men\u2019s water polo matches today – World Aquatics"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The third and final preliminary round men\u2019s water polo matches are being played at the OCBC Aquatic Centre on Tuesday. Winners of the four groups gain direct access to the quarterfinals while second and third go to the second round and the bottom teams will contest the round of 13-16.
Group A: Italy 8, Serbia 7, Romania 3, South Africa 0.
Group B: Spain 6, Hungary 6, Japan 3, Australia 0.
Group C: United States of America 6, Brazil 5, Canada 4, Singapore 0.
Group D: Croatia 6, Montenegro 6, Greece 3, China 0.
Serbia served it up against Romania, as expected, with both teams using this as a warm-up for the second sound. Serbia finished second in the group and now meets Japan to see who heads off to the quarterfinals. Serbia held the cards and dealt them deliberately, showing 5-1 at quarter time and 9-2 at halftime. Just showing enough, without too much. It was a 5-3 third period as Romania started enforcing its presence and the real showdown was in the final quarter where it was do or die. Serbia was the team to beat and still remains one of the best teams in Singapore. It\u2019s just starting slowly, much like at Paris 2024 when it lost three matches and then exploded into action when needed most.
Serbia shot to 3-0, gave up one goal and scored the next two heading into the break. Two more came, including one from Dusan Mandic<\/strong><\/a>. Andrei Neamtu<\/a> <\/strong>broke the line for 7-2 and Serbian captain Nikola Jaksic<\/strong>, who scored two sensational goals later in the match, scored from the top left and then had a penalty shot denied. Nikola Murisic<\/strong><\/a> finished the half\u2019s scoring.
Starting with Viktor Rasovic<\/strong>,<\/a> goals were traded to 12-5 with Sava Randelovic<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u2014 his third \u2014 and Mandic<\/strong> finished the period at 14-5. Vlad-Luca Georgescu<\/strong><\/a> scored twice in the period for Romania. Jaksic<\/strong> surged forward like a ghost to score the 11-3 goal and did something similar for 16-5. Scoring from centre forward, he was all class and awarded player of the match. Levente Vancsik<\/strong><\/a> scored twice for Romania in the fourth quarter before goals were traded until the final buzzer. Serbia had quietly made a statement that the sluggishness has been shrugged off and now it\u2019s ready for the sharp end, if it can only subdue Japan.
Match Heroes
Randelovic<\/strong> was the best scorer with four goals followed by Jaksic<\/strong> and Lazic<\/strong> with three apiece. Iudean<\/strong> and Georgescu<\/strong> scored twice for Romanin and captain Marius-Florin Tic<\/strong><\/a> stopped nine shots. <\/strong>
Turning Point
<\/strong>The 7-1 opening says it all.
Stats Don\u2019t Lie
<\/strong>Serbia converted nine from 15 extra-man attempts to Romania\u2019s three from eight. On penalties, Serbia made two from three. Steals went to Serbia 9-4 and Serbia shot 36 to 29.
Bottom Line
<\/strong>Serbia only lost to Italy in a shootout. Serbia was not going to make the same mistake today.
What They Said<\/strong>
Nikola JAKSIC (SRB) \u2014 Captain and Player of the Match<\/strong>
On Serbia\u2019s overall performance in the group matches:<\/em>
\u201cThe game against Italy was really difficult, especially for me, because (I was) excluded, if I can also say without any reason. But I think everybody already saw that, so I don’t need to comment any more on that. (It’s) already forgotten. This was a good game. I think we’re improving game by game, as we usually do. And if we want to do anything in the next game against Japan, we need to be even better.\u201d
On what Serbia will work on ahead of its match against Japan:
<\/em>\u201cSwimming, probably. A lot of a lot of swimming, because you play a specific type of water polo that involves a lot of swimming, up and down, less contact. So, one good swimming session is going to happen in two days.\u201d
Marius-Florin TIC (ROU) \u2014 Captain<\/strong>
On the match:<\/em>\u201cI think we lost this game very badly on the vertical aspect, especially whenever we were a man down. They have such good legs and so much power. We (conceded) a lot of goals because of this overall. What can I say when you lose with such a big goal difference? You cannot be satisfied, but we need to improve every game that we play here and we hope to finish better than we did in the last World Championships (10th<\/sup>).\u201d
On what they\u2019ve learnt in the group stage:<\/em>
\u201cWe need to improve our man-down strategy because you cann
ot play or win any games at this level without a good man-down game. We need to have better reactions, especially when we receive exclusions or the referee makes certain decisions, because we are too slow for this level. I hope that the next game will be a much better one for us.\u201d
Italy enjoyed the lesser tension after that fantastic shootout victory over Serbia but still needed to get as much match time as possible for the players before the layover day.\u00a0 By cruising to 6-0 in just over five minutes, Italy was in the swim, so to speak. Matthew Neser<\/strong> <\/a>converted extra to get the Africans on the board at 1:27 and kept Italy at bay until the buzzer. No such luck for South Africa in the second quarter as Italy kept a clean sheet and went on counter with Francesco Cassia<\/strong><\/a> scoring three goals and almost every player\u00a0 getting on to the sheet.
The second half was a repeat of the first with Italy making it 8-1, the one for South Africa coming from Manqoba Bungane<\/strong><\/a> from the top left. Filippo Ferrero<\/strong><\/a> grabbed a pair to go with his earlier two as the match stretched out to 23-2.\u00a0 The final quarter was less taxing with Italy winning it 5-2 with South Africans Brett Sneddon<\/strong><\/a> scoring at two metres and Dylan Watt<\/strong><\/a> rifling in a shot from the top at 28-4, 43 seconds from full time. Mario<\/strong> Del Basso<\/strong><\/a> scored twice to end with three and Luca<\/strong> Damonte<\/strong><\/a> and Francesco<\/strong> Condemi<\/strong><\/a> added another to their tallies to finish with three each.
Match Heroes
Cassia<\/strong> and Ferrero<\/strong> scored four apiece while Damonte<\/strong>, Cannella, Del Basso <\/strong>and Condemi <\/strong>finished <\/strong>with three each.
Turning Point
<\/strong>Shooting out to 6-0 set the tone for the match.
Stats Don\u2019t Lie
<\/strong>Italy converted all four extra-man plays and saved four of five; scored the only penalty goal; stole the ball 19 to five and outshot South Africa 38-19.
Bottom Line
<\/strong>Italy is a class above and deserves its place in the quarterfinals. South Africa\u2019s championships starts on Friday.
What They Said<\/strong>
Tommaso BAGGI NECCHI<\/a> (ITA) \u2014 Athlete<\/strong>
On today\u2019s performance:\u00a0
<\/em>\u201cIt\u2019s my first time in the starting seven, so I felt a bit of pressure in the beginning, but I felt we played well and with intensity, and that\u2019s the important thing. No matter who the opposing team is, you always have to play your hardest to respect them. I think we did it, and now we have to be focused on the quarterfinals.
\u201cThere was a big difference (between the teams), but we played so hard, so strong, and with intensity in all parts of the game, and that\u2019s what we have to do.\u201d
On having two days off:<\/em>
\u201cThat\u2019s good, we can focus on the quarterfinals and have some rest.\u201d
Matthew BOWERS<\/a> (RSA) \u2014 Athlete<\/strong>
On the match:<\/em>
\u201cIt was a tough one. I think we knew we were going to go in there to try to defend for our life, I mean, Italy’s one of the best teams in the tournament. We took a step-by-step attempt to just stick to our processes but it was a very tough match and the boys here fought very hard to the end.\u201d
On what could be learnt:<\/em>
\u201cIt’s not every day that we get to play against European teams like Italy. So, there were a lot of little tricks, little things that they were doing to get ahead of us in the game. It’s just about (the) experience for us, going back, trying to show the kids, some new cool tricks to win games.\u00a0
\u201cItaly proved it against Serbia, by the little tricks that they can do off the ball. Ninety percent of the game is played off the ball, so that’s a lot that we can take back with us to South Africa, and get the next generation hyped and ready for this in a couple years\u2019 time.\u201d
On the next matches:<\/em>
\u201cThese next couple of games are crucial for us. We want to give it our all and make it way more competitive than what it was now, knuckle down and give it our all in the next game. We have two more games left, so we’re ready for it. Whatever it takes and then be back for the last one.\u201d\u00a0
Montenegro did what it had to do and that was beat China and make sure it finishes in the top three depending on a later result. Montenegro was unsteady at times but in control, building on the 4-0 sheet several minutes into the second quarter. China stayed in the match and proved more than equal for three quarters, dominating Montenegro and finishing with a flourish.
Montenegro scored the first three goals with one on penalty. The fourth came a minute into the second quarter through Savo Cetkovic<\/strong><\/a> on extra from in front. Chinese captain Chen<\/strong> Zhongxian<\/strong><\/a> had a penalty shot stopped but made amends within the minute. Aljosa Macic<\/strong><\/a> took it to 5-1. Liu Yu<\/strong><\/a> scored off the left-post position at 3:00, with no further goal until halftime.
Chen<\/strong> opened the third period with Dusan Banicevic<\/strong><\/a> replying twice on extra. Chen<\/strong> and Wang Beiyi<\/strong><\/a> at centre forward sandwiched a Dmitrii Kholod<\/strong><\/a> score on extra from the top \u2014 8-5 at the final break. Macic<\/strong> triggered a rocket from the top to start the fourth and Peng Jiahao<\/strong><\/a> equalled the feat. Strahinja Gojkovic<\/strong><\/a> and Dusan Matkovic<\/strong><\/a>, with a superb turn at deep left, took the score to 11-6. Wen Zijun<\/strong><\/a> had his shot from deep left deflected into goal by a defender. Jovan Vujovic<\/strong><\/a>, who scored Montenegro\u2019s third goal, delivered from the right-post position off a near pass on extra for 12-7 and Kholod<\/strong> made it 13-7. Xie Zekai<\/strong><\/a> converted extra at 1:59 for what was the final score of 13-8.
Match Heroes
Lazar Andric<\/a><\/strong> made eight saves for Montenegro while Kholod<\/strong>, Macic<\/strong>, Vujovic<\/strong> and Banicevic<\/strong> scored twice each. Chen<\/strong> slotted three for China and Wu Honghui<\/strong><\/a> also made eight saves. <\/strong>
Turning Point
<\/strong>Montenegro wen to 4-0 and from there on in only won the match 9-8 against a resurgent Chinese team.
Stats Don\u2019t Lie
<\/strong>Montenegro converted seven from 12 and defended six from 10. Montenegro gained its one penalty shot and China missed its one. Montenegro made five steals to one and on overall shots, China went 38-37.
Bottom Line
<\/strong>Montenegro slips into second position while China is winless after three matches.
What They Said<\/strong>
Lazar ANDRIC (MNE)<\/span> \u2014 Goalkeeper\/Player of the Match<\/strong>
\u00a0
On the match:<\/span><\/em>
\u201cThat was a tougher game than we thought. Coming into the match, we knew that we were the favourites. The third game of the group stage definitely came harder than we expected, especially after the hard-fought games against Croatia and Greece.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>
\u00a0
On being player of the match as the second goalkeeper:<\/span><\/em>
\u201cThis is my first game that I played in this tournament. It definitely feels good coming off the bench as a second back-up goalie. I needed to show that I’m here; I’m focused and I’m very happy that I had a good game.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>
\u00a0
On the next matches:<\/span><\/em>
\u201cWe’re expecting to go to the quarterfinals \u2013 that\u2019s a first, where we’re gonna meet one of the stronger teams in this tournament. I think those are the matches that will definitely decide the next stages. So, we hope to go through to the semifinals and hopefully in the final.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>
\u00a0
CHEN Zhongxian (CHN) \u2014 Captain and Three Goals<\/span><\/strong>
\u00a0
On the result:\u00a0<\/span><\/em>
\u201cThe team played united today, and we fought for every ball and shot. In terms of strategy, tactics, and counter-attack, we need to make some improvements. Personally, I still need to improve, too, if I want to be able to measure myself against the European teams.\u201d<\/span>
\u00a0
On playing Singapore next:\u00a0<\/span><\/em>
\u201cEvery game is an important one, so we\u2019ll strive to play each game we get as well as we can.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>
Japan delivered when needed most with a 6-4 closing quarter that at one stage was 6-3. Australia struggled late in the match to keep up with the energetic Japanese and will rue\u00a0 not building on its 3-1 start. Japan advances to the second round and Australia has been sidelined to the round 13-16. Australia\u00a0 shot out of the blocks in the opening quarter with a 3-1 position in the first four minutes. The goals all came courtesy of big centre forward and captain Nathan Power<\/strong><\/a>, from two metres, the top and the right post on extra. Mitsuru Takata<\/strong><\/a> levelled at one and Kiyomu Date<\/strong><\/a> and Ikkei Nitta<\/strong><\/a> at 1:28 levelled the match heading into the second quarter. Daichi Ogihara<\/strong><\/a> drilled from the top for the 4-3 lead at 5:23 in the second quarter. Goals were traded with Matthew Byrnes<\/strong><\/a> from top right and Jacob Mercep<\/strong><\/a> from the penalty line levelling for Australia. Takata<\/strong> on left-hand-catch and Kenta Araki<\/strong><\/a> from the left post on a cross pass on extra, made it 6-5 for Japan at 0:33.
Early in the third period, Aussie Sharks head coach Tim Hamill<\/strong> challenged and gained a penalty foul, which Mercep<\/strong> failed to convert, hitting the crossbar. Marcus Berehulak<\/strong><\/a> rocketed in a shot from the bottom left and Mercep<\/strong> made amends on the next attack from the top right to have the Sharks back in front at 7-6. A Japanese timeout yielded nothing. Australia went to a timeout at 0:27 and two magnificent shots rejected by equally solid defence. By this stage, Japan was scoreless in the period and captain Yusuke Inaba<\/strong><\/a>, so prolific normally, had five shots for no score. In the fourth period, Japan ramped up with that extra gear while the Sharks had red shoulders. Inaba<\/strong> gained his time in the sun from the top left and Date<\/strong> gave Japan the advantage. Goals were traded with Australia levelling three times for 10-120 by 3:01. Inaba<\/strong> went to centre forward, spun the defender and scored with Toi Suzuki<\/strong><\/a> contributing on the next attack for 12-10 at 2:01. At 1:14, Power<\/strong>, who stayed at the Japanese end of the pool, received a long pass after a dispossession and beat Towa Nishimura<\/strong><\/a> for 12-11 down. Australia gained a timeout at 0:49, elected to send up just the normal six and leave Nic<\/strong> Porter<\/strong><\/a> behind and the shot by Byrnes <\/strong>sprayed right. Japan retained the ball for a first win, third in the group and still in contention for a medal. For Australia it is an ignominious trudge to the play-offs for 13-16 \u2014 a grouping it has not seen since the inaugural championships in 1973 when it finished 14th<\/sup>. Japan was 13th<\/sup> last year in Doha, so this is a progression.
Match Heroes
<\/strong>The best in water were\u00a0Power<\/strong> with five goals for Australia and Nic Porter<\/strong> with an extraordinary 16 saves in goal. However, Japan won the day with pairs to Inaba<\/strong>, Takata<\/strong>, Date<\/strong> and Suzuki<\/strong>. <\/strong>
Turning Point
<\/strong>So many but the killer punch was delivered when Inaba<\/strong> and Suzuki<\/strong> inside the last three minutes.
Stats Don\u2019t Lie
<\/strong>Japan wrestled in four from eight on extra to Australia\u2019s two from six. Australia missed one from two on penalty; drew the steals at six but Japan shot 39 to 28, thus Porter\u2019s<\/strong> immaculate save rate.
Bottom Line
<\/strong>Japan beat Australia 14-13 at the Paris 2024 Olympics and held the edge again today.
What They Said<\/strong>
Yoshinori SHIOTA (JPN) \u2014 Head Coach<\/strong>
On the match:
<\/em>\u201cIt was a tough game. Against Australia, last we played, only one point was called. In four years, we played Australia three or four times. We always play one-point games.\u00a0 Congratulations for Australia, they\u2019re a very good team.\u201d
On the next match (Serbia):
<\/em>\u201cVery tough. They are the Olympic champions, so it\u2019ll be a challenging game. But we\u2019ll try to win. In Paris (Summer Olympic Games 2024), we played against Serbia and we only lost by one point. We lost but we played very well in Paris.\u201d
Tim HAMILL (AUS) \u2014 Head Coach<\/strong>
On the tight match:\u00a0
<\/em>\u201cExtremely disappointing way to lose. Japan are obviously a great water polo team. They play a very unique brand of water polo, but we know how they play. By and large, we executed much of our game plan, but we weren’t able to do it for the four quarters.
\u201cLack of fight will never be a concern for our team. They’re a great group of guys. I’m always proud with how they play, but we weren’t able to execute and close out the game today.\u201d
On the positives after the group stage:
<\/em>\u201cThis was the first time in some time that we’re back playing this high-level water polo. So even though our group was a very, very difficult group to play in, we were always happy with that in terms of knowing we’re going to get three really big-quality games here at the World Championships.\u00a0
\u201cWe were confident against all opponents, but unfortunately, we couldn’t get out of the group stage. We started the tournament very poorly against Hungary. It was a very un-Australian-like performance from us. Our second half against Spain was much improved. Just a very devastating way to close.\u201d\u00a0
Nathan POWER (AUS) \u2014 Captain<\/strong>
On team performance:
<\/em>\u201cIt\u2019s not like it\u2019s a really happy day for us. We wanted to make a mark and continue some momentum we\u2019ve been building across this tournament, and unfortunately to be eliminated, yeah, it hurts today.
\u201cWe found our defensive side, which is really good for us. I think we played decent defence today, but we lost and now we\u2019re out of the tournament.\u201d
On Japan\u2019s unique style of play<\/em>:
\u201cThey have a very different style, and they are very difficult to play against. I think at times today, we hung a little bit low and they didn\u2019t have as many scoring opportunities as they\u2019ve had in previous games, but unfortunately we weren\u2019t able to then score in the other end.\u201d
On personal performance and being top scorer<\/em>
\u201cYeah, I mean, that\u2019s probably one way, It\u2019ll be nice to think about that side, but, for us it\u2019s always a team game and unfortunately we lost today.\u201d
In the battle of the Americas \u2014 north and south \u2014 it came down to sudden death. Canada was never headed until the 18th<\/sup> shootout goal, which meant the end of the match and the ultimate loss. Brazil had clinched second place in the group. The difference? Luca Andrade, who Canada seemed not to be able to handle, even allowing him to shoot the fulltime equaliser unattended. He finished with eight goals and then threw a [air in the shootout. Not a bad day at the office.
In the first quarter, it looked like a Canadian rout with a 6-1 advantage in the last half-minute becoming 6-2, seven seconds from time. Brazil was on the ropes and Canada was riding high. Reuel D\u2019Souza<\/strong><\/a>, who played the southern summer in Western Australia with USA\u2019s Hannes Daube<\/strong><\/a> at another club, scored the first penalty with Luca Andrade<\/strong><\/a> responding from the deep left. Four more Canadian goals came with D\u2019Souza<\/strong> netting the fourth with a short drive down the right post. Jeremie Cot\u00e9<\/strong><\/a> scored the first of two from the deep left and the second from the top for 6-1. Gustavo Guimaraes<\/strong><\/a> provided some relief for Brazil from the top right. The break chat must have worked for Brazil as AndreiFreitas<\/strong><\/a> scored and head coach Thiago Nacimento<\/strong> gained a yellow card. Andrade<\/strong> then caught Canada napping twice in 40 seconds for 6-5. Cot\u00e9<\/strong> plugged in his third for 7-5 before the halftime buzzer.
Controversy struck the top of the third period as Paulo Oliveira<\/strong><\/a> was red-carded after a VAR review for a violent action at centre forward. This review came after Pozaric<\/strong> had scored on extra. The goal was disallowed, Oliviera<\/strong> excluded after a long review process and Leo Hachem<\/strong><\/a> scored off the extra opportunity. Andrade<\/strong> responded quickly from the top left and it was 8-6 at 6:58. Canada did not learn the lesson and allowed Andrade<\/strong> to score again two minutes later for 8-7. Canada reaped no benefit from a timeout. Pedro Real<\/strong><\/a> scored for Brazil amid much yelling from the Canadian defence, stating that the clock was reset incorrectly. A VAR decision agreed, but Brazil regained the ball, and gained an ejection but no goal came, meaning Canada still had the one-goal advantage. Canada earned a penalty and D\u2019Souza<\/strong> converted to give his team two degrees of separation. Ali Oussadou<\/strong><\/a> made it three degrees at 0:41 from the left-hand-catch position. D\u2019Souza<\/strong> rifled in a shot from top right to beat the buzzer for 11-7 with the VAR review was actually for a Brazilian challenge for interference earlier. The clock was wound back to 17 seconds, D\u2019Souza\u2019s<\/strong> goal wiped and a penalty awarded, which Andrade converted for 10-8. Canada then stupidly gave up the ball to Brazil who fired it up to the fleeing Gustavo Coutinho<\/strong> <\/a>to score at 0:03 and reduce what should have been a four-goal lead to just the one goal \u2014 10-9.
Pozaric<\/strong> shot from the right-hand-catch position for 11-9 on extra at 7:09 in the fourth period. More breathing space for Canada. Andrade<\/strong> smashed in a goal at 1:43 and Canada challenged, but lost and the goal stood at 11-10. Canada shot twice for no goal and Brazil called a timeout at 0:48. Brazil sent up seven field players, shot and regained the ball on corner. Andrade<\/strong> was allowed to shoot, and score, at 0:12 for the all-important equaliser. Canada went to a timeout and sent in seven field players. D\u2019Souza\u2019s<\/strong> shot was blocked and the match went to a shootout despite his protestations that two hands were used by the defender.
The shootout went well for the first eight shooters with Canada leading, then the next two missed, sending it to sudden death. The first six made it across the line, then D\u2019Souza<\/strong> had his saved and Coutinho <\/strong>converted for the unlikely Brazilian victory.
Match Heroes
Andrade<\/strong> with a spectacular eight goals, let alone the two in shootout, delivered the Brazilian victory. He and goalkeeper Joao<\/strong> Fernandes<\/strong><\/a> with an amazing 16 saves. For Canada, Cot\u00e9<\/strong> and D\u2019Souza<\/strong> sent in three apiece and Milan Radenovic<\/strong><\/a> made 11 saves in goal.
Turning Point
<\/strong>Canada going 6-1 ahead; Brazil bringing it back to 6-5 behind; Canada going 10-7 and 11-9 and then Brazil levelling at 11.
Stats Don\u2019t Lie
<\/strong>Brazil nailed three from four on extra and Canada two from five. Canada put in all three penalty shots and Brazil one. Canada made three steals to two and shot 37 to 34.
Bottom Line
<\/strong>Brazil wanted it badly after having to play from behind for the entire match except for when the winning penalty landed.
What They Said<\/strong>
Thiago NASCIMENTO (BRA) \u2014 Head Coach<\/strong>
On the match:\u00a0<\/em>
\u201cIt was a very balanced game. We got neutralised by Canada at the beginning; they read our game at the start, so they got a good start. But we didn\u2019t give up, we got back in the game, we got even at the end. In the last play, we put our goalie out and we played a man up to get a chance to score and we did it.\u00a0
\u201cIn the penalty shoot-out, our goalie was really happy, and so were our shooters, and we got the win.\u201d
On making a come-back after going 2-6 down in the first period:
<\/em>\u201cI\u2019m really proud of my players for not giving up even though we had a bad start. We need to start more focused going forward, so we don\u2019t suffer in the end. And never give up.\u00a0
\u201cThis is the first time we\u2019re finishing second in the group stage in our existence as a water polo team. We\u2019re here to learn, to evolve and to close the gap between us and the European teams at the top level.\u201d
Gyula TOTH (CAN) \u2014 Assistant Coach<\/strong>
On the team\u2019s performance:<\/em>
\u201cIt was good. We are a new team, we\u2019re playing together for the first time, we did get a little bit comfortable with the lead, and I think step by step, they got the better of the craziness, a lot of craziness.\u201d
On the match\u2019s intensity:<\/em>
\u201cWater polo, it\u2019s a physical game, you have to be tough. They played tough, but it was not like cheap shots, they just played hard. It was not aggressive. It was intense, I call it an intense game.\u201d\u00a0
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