Four years after winning their first men’s water polo gold medal as an independent nation, Croatia was unable to continue their reign.
Serbia, led by Dusan Mandic’s four goals and 12 saves by goalkeeper Branislav Mitrovic, took gold with an 11-7 victory in the gold medal match. For Serbia this is their first Olympic gold medal in men’s water polo as an independent nation, giving the nation a total of two Olympic gold medals in its history.
Serbia has now won a medal in each of the last four Olympics, taking silver in 2004 (as Serbia and Montenegro) and bronze in both 2008 and 2012.