Serbia, U.S. men's water polo national teams to play at UIC
With two games completed, it's USA 2, Serbia 0.
In men's water polo, the two national teams from those countries are halfway through their four-game exhibition.
The first two were played in southern California last week, with a third meeting scheduled for Sunday evening at El Toro High School in Lake Forest, Calif.
Then the final game in the series takes a strong turn toward the midwest, as Serbia - ranked No. 2 in the FINA world rankings - and the sixth-ranked U.S. team battle one last time at Chicago's UIC Natatorium at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday.
The UIC matchup sold out quickly, as a hungry public took advantage of the rare close-to-home opportunity to see players such as four-time U.S. Olympian Tony Azevedo and Serbian star Filip Filipovic in action against top competition.
That's been satisfying for Tim Daniel, who is Conant High School's varsity boys water polo coach. Daniel has also been involved in USA Water Polo's Olympic Development Program for the last dozen years, and more recently became a national teams manager.
Daniel reports that national-level water polo hasn't been played in Chicago since 2003. That fact, combined with the natural appeal of a Serbian-U.S. water polo matchup in a city which has more Serbs than Belgrade, made a visit to Chicago too good to pass up.
One more plus - U.S. national team coach Dejan Udovicic is Serbia's former national team coach; he coached Serbia through the past two Olympic Games.
Azevedo helped the U.S. win silver in the Beijing games in 2008 and also had roster spots on the U.S. team in 2000, 2004 and 2012. He's one of the most accomplished players in U.S. history.
The rosters for Tuesday's matchup will also feature U.S. standouts John Mann and Merrill Moses.
"This is the equivalent of watching Michael Jordan in his prime," Daniel said. "However, in water polo and in Chicago, this opportunity does not present itself."
In addition to the game, there will be an open practice at UIC at 4 p.m. Monday.
On Tuesday, players from both teams will be in the water for a youth clinic.
Fans unable to attend in person can see the game live-streamed on YouTube.
Daniel hopes it all adds up to a winning venture for midwestern water polo, regardless of the outcome of Tuesday's matchup.
"In the U.S., the water polo world is in southern California," Daniel said. "This is an opportunity for players and fans of the sport to see the best in the world."
The most recent meeting against Serbia was a 9-5 decision Thursday, in favor of the U.S. Azevedo, Brett Bonnani and Josh Samuels each had 2 goals as the U.S. shut out Serbia in the third quarter, turning a 5-4 halftime lead into an 8-4 edge by the end of the third period.