In an extraordinary survival test, Spain finally shattered their European Championship jinx in water polo with a dramatic 10-11 comeback victory over host Croatia to claim the first gold medal in their history. The arena in Zagreb erupted as the team sealed a historic win that will be remembered for generations, marking a milestone for Spanish sport on the continental stage.
When all seemed lost, trailing 10-8 with four minutes remaining, the defensive wall held strong. A well-timed pass and a tidy finish from Bernat Sanahuja sparked renewed belief across the squad, and Álvaro Granados converted twice in quick succession, first to level the score and then to push Spain ahead. In the final moments, the defensive line held firm, denying Croatia at the critical juncture and securing the triumph.
It was a night to remember in water polo and a landmark moment for Spanish sport, as David Marín’s team celebrated its inaugural European gold medal, while the women’s squad led by Miki Oca joined them later to pursue a Paris Olympic berth.
The atmosphere in Zagreb was electric, with around 2,000 spectators filling the venue and the stakes weighing heavily on every decision. Spain’s performance was built on a disciplined, nearly flawless defense throughout the tournament, and the match against Croatia underscored that strength in a high-tension environment.
Spain initially moved ahead for the first time with a goal from Alberto Munárriz (2-4) at 4:03 of the opening period, but the hosts responded with vigor, asserting their control as Luka Bukic and his teammates carried the momentum. A decisive 3-0 run left Croatia ahead 5-3 at the end of the first quarter, and Bukic’s third strike early in the second seemed to widen the gap (6-3).
From that moment, Spain redirected the course of the game through tougher defense and sharper goalkeeping from Unai Aguirre, who began to influence play with timely saves. The Spaniards then turned to offense, chipping away during a first half that ended with Munárriz, Larumbe and Bustos seizing a 7-6 lead as the break arrived.
The match took on a different tone after halftime. The Croatian attack ramped up its pressure, while Spain continued to press its advantage defensively. Sanahuja delivered a crucial tying moment with a well-executed strike that brought the score to 7-7, and an initial attempt to pull ahead finished with a conceding foul and then a save by Marko Bijac on a key counter-attack.
The action intensified as the final period approached. A stunning shot from Loren Fatovic, son of the renowned Barceloneta coach, pushed Croatia ahead 10-8 as the third quarter ended, but Spain did not concede. Instead, the defense tightened again and a sequence of saves and blocks kept the scoreboard within reach during a tense late stage. Time slipped down to the final minutes with two goals still separating the teams.
Granados then stepped forward in the decisive moment. With Spain pressing high and exploiting Croatia’s vulnerabilities, the ball found its way to the edge of the arc and Sanahuja came close, but the tying shot struck the crossbar. Munárriz had two chances to swing the tie in Spain’s favor, yet Bijac repelled both attempts. At 1:37, Granados unlocked the deadlock with a precise finish—10-10—and the stage was set for a dramatic finish.
In the closing seconds, Granados took responsibility and delivered a brilliant goal that tipped the balance in favor of Spain. The clock read 10-11 as the final minute unfolded, and the Spanish defense locked down the game, denying Croatia any response. A victorious breath ran through the players and the arena as Spain celebrated a historic gold medal and a place in Paris.
Data sheet:
10 – Croatia: Bijac; Buric (-), Fatovic (1), Loncar (-), Biljaka (-), Bukic (4), Vukicevic (1), Zuvela (2, 1p), Marinic Kragic (2), Vrlic (-), Butic (-), Kharkov (-) and Popadic (-).
11 – Spain: Aguirre (Edu Lorrio); Munárriz (2), Granados (3), Sanahuja (3), De Toro (-), Larumbe (1), Biel (-), Cabanas (-), Tahull (1), Perrone (-), Mallarach (-) and Bustos (1).
Referees: Boris Margeta (ESL) and Georgios Stravidis (GRE). Eliminated: Cabanas.
Partial parts: 5-3, 2-3, 3-2, 0-3.
Events: The first semi-final of the European Championship in Croatia was held at the Pazari Mladost pool in Zagreb in front of around 2,000 spectators.