In the most thrilling match of the second round of the Water Polo World Championship, Italy shocked Serbia after a penalty shootout! Yes, you read that right — Serbia, a water polo powerhouse, fell in a game full of twists, exclusions, and controversial refereeing decisions. Serbia’s captain Nikola Jakšić was excluded for a hit, disrupting their defense and opening the door for Italian shooters. Italy took the lead, Serbia fought back, but nerves cracked in the shootout — Serbian shooters Boris Vapenski and Miloš Ćuk missed, while Italy had only one miss. The winning goal was scored by Giacomo Cannella in the fourth penalty round. Italy now tops the group with five points and has nearly secured a quarterfinal spot, while Serbia must fight for survival in the last round against Romania. Is this the end of Serbia’s water polo dominance or just another dramatic chapter? Drop your thoughts on the refereeing and our team’s play — we’re all ears!
