Ildiko Toth scored twice in the final five minutes of play to help lead Hungary to a 9-7 win over the Netherlands for the 2016 European Water Polo title.
Toth finished a perfect 2-for-2 in shots on goal, and was one of a trio of Hungarians to score multiple goals. Hanna Anna Kisteleki and Barbara Bujka each scored twice as well.
Once again, goalkeeper Edina Gangl was a force for Hungary, stopping 12 of 19 Dutch attempts.
Hungary also succeeded by pushing the scoring pace in what was a tight game almost the entire way. Hungary’s Dora Antal struck first, but the Netherlands’ Maud Megens answered back just 24 seconds later.
The teams traded goal for goal for the opening three periods, ending the third at 7-7 on a last-minute Dagmar Genee goal for the Dutch. Genee was the major mover for the Netherlands, scoring three times on six shots.
But Gangl locked things down in the fourth period, shutting out the Dutch scoring attack. Toth scored just over three minutes in for Hungary, and then came up with the dagger goal with just 47 seconds remaining, giving Hungary a 9-7 lead that would hold up through the final whistle.
Rita Keszthelyi didn’t score for Hungary, but carried a heavy load, playing almost the entire game. Her 30 minutes and 36 seconds of playtime led all non-goalie players, and accounted for all but a minute and a half of the game as a whole.
Photo Vault, Courtesy of Dusan Zivkovic/Belgrade2016
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JANUARY 22: Players of Hungary lift a trophy during the Women’s Medal ceremony at the Waterpolo European Championships in Belgrade Kombank Arena on January 22, 2016 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JANUARY 22: Players of Hungary lift a trophy during the Women’s Medal ceremony at the Waterpolo European Championships in Belgrade Kombank Arena on January 22, 2016 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA – JANUARY 22: Players of Hungary celebrate Gold Medal during the Women’s Medal ceremony at the Waterpolo European Championships in Belgrade Kombank Arena on January 22, 2016 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
