With no shot at a medal, the U.S. men’s water polo team could have simply gone through the motions against an Italian team looking to take first place in Group B.
That didn’t happen however, with the Americans not only showing up for the match but winning by the final score of 10-7. Four players scored two goals apiece for the U.S., Josh Samuels, Tony Azevedo, Bret Bonanni and Alex Obert. Samuels’ second goal of the match with 4:41 remaining in the third period even the score at 7-all, and Obert’s goal with a man advantage with 15 seconds left in the period gave the Americans a lead they would not relinquish.