Adrian Weinberg’s exceptional 16 saves in regulation and critical penalty shootout stop against Vince Vigvári propelled the United States to a 11-8 victory over Hungary, securing the bronze medal in men’s water polo at the Paris Olympics.
Men’s Water Polo Bronze
This marks the U.S. men’s first medal since their 2008 loss to Hungary in the final. The team last won bronze when Paris hosted the Summer Games in 1924. Ben Hallock’s two goals were crucial in their comeback after a semifinal defeat to Serbia.
Hungary’s Gergo Zalanki and Denes Varga each scored twice. Hungary, the most successful men’s water polo team historically, had previously claimed bronze at the Tokyo Games. They took an 8-6 lead on Daniel Angyal’s goal with 3:22 remaining, but the U.S. fought back with goals from Alex Bowen and Hannes Daube.
In the penalty shootout, Daube, Max Irving, and Bowen converted their chances, while Hungary was shut out. Varga’s shot was stopped by Weinberg, and Zalanki’s attempt was unsuccessful, sealing the U.S. victory.
The U.S. team celebrated their win amid cheers and the sound of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” at Paris La Defense Arena, as coach Dejan Udovicic rallied the American fans.