Gold medalist team Croatia celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the men's water polo gold medal match between Italy and Croatia at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
DOHA, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Croatia secured their third men's water polo world title at the Doha World Aquatics Championships on Saturday, edging four-time champions Italy 15-13 in the final.
Rino Buric of Croatia delivered a crucial equalizer with just five seconds remaining on the clock, leveling the score at 11-11 to force a penalty shootout.
Croatia emerged victorious with a 4-2 scoreline in the shootout.
The gold medal now joins Croatia's previous titles from 2007 and 2017.
Earlier in a playoff, Spain beat France 14-10 to take the bronze. ■
Nicholas Presciutti (L) of Italy shoots against Marko Zuvela of Croatia during the men's water polo gold medal match between Italy and Croatia at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Francesco Di Fulvio (R) of Italy shoots against Loren Fatovic of Croatia during the men's water polo gold medal match between Italy and Croatia at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Konstantin Kharkov (R) of Croatia shoots during the men's water polo gold medal match between Italy and Croatia at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Gold medalist team Croatia celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the men's water polo gold medal match between Italy and Croatia at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Bronze medalist team Spain pose for photograph during the awarding ceremony for the men's water polo gold medal match between Italy and Croatia at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
Andrea Fondelli (R) of Italy shoots against Loren Fatovic of Croatia during the men's water polo gold medal match between Italy and Croatia at the World Aquatics Championships 2024 in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Du Yu)
