A return to the podium just got one step closer for the US Men's Olympic Water Polo Team as they defeated Germany 8-7 earlier today at the Ying Tung Natatorium and in the process won their group with a 4-1 record. Team USA earns a bye and advances to the semi-finals on August 22 and are assured of playing for a medal. Their opponent for August 22 is still to be determined following quarterfinals held on August 20.


A return to the medal round is a first for Team USA since the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

It was a tightly contested game throughout as both teams went back and forth starting with Germany grabbing an early lead at 1-0 a little over a minute into the game. Team USA answered shortly thereafter as Jeff Powers (San Luis Obispo, CA) took a feed from Jesse Smith (Coronado, CA) right in front of the net and buried a shot on a player advantage to tie the game at 1-1. Helko Nossek had a nice day for Germany, after scoring the first goal of the game he came back with another shot from outside and it was 2-1 Germany with 2:57 remaining in the period. Following that the United States would start to go on a run. First Adam Wright (Seal Beach, CA) connected with Tim Hutten (Seal Beach, CA) who put the shot away on a power play for a tie game at 2-2. Then again with under a minute remaining in the period following a Germany exclusion Wright fired a quick pass to Ryan Bailey (Long Beach, CA) who was on the doorstep and ripped the net for a USA lead at 3-2 after the first.

At the start of the second quarter less than thirty seconds in Powers came back with a beauty of a goal as he rifled a backhand shot into the cage out of the center spot and helped build a 4-2 advantage. Some five minutes later it was Peter Hudnut (Encino, CA) dealing off to JW Krumpholz (Santa Ana, CA) who was camped in front of the net for another point blank goal and it was 5-2 in favor of the United States. Nossek added another goal for Germany towards the end of the period and it was 5-3 USA at halftime.

Coming out to start the third quarter Germany began to chip away at the lead of the United States. Nossek scored again on a player advantage to draw within one at 5-4 and then Tobias Kreuzmann found the cage to tie the game at 5-5. With a 1:08 remaining in the period the United States drew another exclusion and used crisp passing as Layne Beaubien (Coronado, CA) lit the proverbial lamp to bring the lead back at 6-5. Then with just nine seconds left in the period Bailey drew a five meter penalty which was converted by Wright and it was a 7-5 lead for Team USA going to the fourth.

A little over two minutes into the fourth quarter Germany drew to within a goal following a USA exclusion at 7-6. The USA defense clamped down as they have been doing over the last couple of games and goalie Merrill Moses (Palos Verdes, CA) came up with a key save out of his 14 on the day. Some good defense led to some good offense as on the other end Peter Varellas (Moraga, CA) was able to spot Wright on the near side for a quick score and Team USA jumped up 8-6 with 2:47 remaining. Germany would score on the next possession to get within one at 8-7. From there it was tense times as the teams went back and forth. Team USA dodged a major bullet when a German goal was disallowed with just 23 seconds left as the shooter used an illegal motion within five meters. Once that goal was wiped off the board, relief was spelled for the United States and they came away winners at 8-7.

Flash Quotes:
"It's an awesome feeling. I've told alot of people that whether we win or lose, it's icing on the cake, I'm really just so proud of these guys, they have really become a family. Now we are in a position to get back to that podium and possibly get a Gold Medal." Terry Schroeder - Head Coach, U.S. Olympic Team for Men's Water Polo

"We believed we could get here but it always takes a little luck, we have been concentrating on our defense, we were young and inexperienced in Athens but defense was our bread and butter. Now we have gotten back to that, Robert (Lynn) brought in great structure, but we still need to be better but it's coming together every game." -- Adam Wright, U.S. Olympic Team for Men's Water Polo

"In Athens it was overwhelming, the experience is so important and now I see why other teams like Hungary and Croatia have success because they have been together for years. It is just another game, this time we don't come to the Olympics walking on egg shells, this group has played alot games together and the experience has been key." Adam Wright, U.S. Olympic Team for Men's Water Polo

Scoring:

• USA: 8 (3,2,2,1) A. Wright 2, J. Powers 2, L. Beaubien 1, R. Bailey 1, T. Hutten 1, J. Krumpholz 1
• GER: 7 (2,1,2,2) H. Nossek 5, T. Kreuzmann 1, M. Oeler 1

Saves - USA - M. Moses 14 - GER - A. Tchigir 6
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