The current men’s water polo team inspires optimism – Oleksandr Svishchov on the European University Games

The collective LDUFK named after I. Bobersky won the “silver” of the European University Games, which took place in Łódź. During a full-scale war, the team faced a difficult task – to win the highest awards of a large-scale water polo tournament, without having the opportunity to fully prepare. Nevertheless, the Ukrainians managed to show a high level of play.

On the way to the medals, the team of the Lviv State University of Physical Culture played six matches, out of which they managed to celebrate victory 4 times, and twice the LDUFK team lost to the Hungarian team of the Budapest Business School.

GROUP B:

Lviv State University of PC (UKR) – Sheffield Hallam University (GBR) 24-4 (4-1, 5-1, 8-2, 7-0)

Lviv State University of PC (UKR) – Budapest Business School (HUN) 12-19 (2-2, 3-6, 3-6, 4-5)

Lviv State University of PC (UKR) – Corvinus University (HUR) 15-10 (4-2, 2-0, 4-5, 5-3)

1/4 FINAL

Lviv State University of PC (UKR) – Lodz University of Technology (POL) 16-5 (5-0, 2-3, 5-0, 4-2)

1/2 FINALS

University of Debrecen (HUR) – Lviv State University of PC (UKR) 15-16 (3-1, 3-3, 5-6, 4-6)

FINAL

Budapest Business School (HUN) – Lviv State University of PC (UKR) 29:9 (5:0, 8:3, 6:2, 10:4)

Performance of the LDUFC team named after Oleksandr Svishchov, president of the Water Polo Federation of Ukraine, commented on I. Bobersky at the European University Games:

“Considering that the boys did not have game practice for six months, could not fully train due to the ongoing war in our country, I am quite satisfied with the team’s result. In every meeting, the team of the Ivan Bobersky University of Physical Culture, where our boys study, showed character and fighting qualities. Just look at how much emotion the semi-final match against the university from Debrecen brought. The boys fought like lions in the water throughout the match, showing character. Until the last second of the match, it was not known who would be the winner. And in the end, we won a resounding victory 16- 15. I really liked this tenacity of our national team. In general, the current men’s water polo team inspires optimism. I think that the backbone of this national team is formed, I want young players to add more and in the near future this team will represent the country worthily on the international stage. Of course, physically, the team was not 100 percent ready and it was noticeable, especially in the final match against teams from Budapest. One player played on injections, the other had injuries. And, in general, we lacked freshness in the final match. The physical component plays an important role in water polo, there were not enough boys for all the matches of the European games. Of course, the preparation was not complete, but, despite these factors, we are among the winners. I am happy that Ukraine is returning from Łódź with medals, they are silver awards and we set maximum goals, but at the same time, there is an understanding that the water polo players did not have a full cycle of training.

The team fulfilled the task set by the leadership of the FVPU – to be among the winners. For this, I would like to thank the coaching staff and every water polo player who contributed to our joint victory. You know, every fan has reasons to be happy now. There is a full-scale war going on in the country and there are not many reasons to be happy, but victories on the sports front are joy and at the same time proof that Ukrainians are winning on all fronts.

Today we are the second in the European University Games. The entire water polo family dedicates this result to our defenders. Thanks to them, athletes can travel abroad and represent the country on the international stage. Thank you to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for defending our Motherland, thank you to the team for the pleasant emotions experienced at the tournament.”

Source of the article: https://ukranews.com/ua/news/870785-teperishnya-cholovicha-komanda-z-vodnogo-polo-vselyaye-optymizm-oleksandr-svishhov-pro-yevropejski