Yugoslavia Hangs On for Narrow Victory

This was merely a skirmish, one the United States lost by inches.

When Tony Azevedo’s shot deflected off the goal post with one second left, Yugoslavia had held on for a 9-8 victory in the UPS International Cup Friday. Yet this one was stamped to be continued.

The two teams will meet again Sunday in the final, if the U.S. gets at least a tie against Italy in its final pool-play game today. Another rematch looms in September at the Olympics, where the U.S. and Yugoslavia are in the same pool.

So this certainly wasn’t for keeps.

Still, the crowd of about 1,500 at the Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center wasn’t cheated.

Yugoslavia built a 7-3 lead early in the third quarter, then went 10 minutes without scoring and the U.S. rallied. Azevedo’s penalty shot gave the U.S. an 8-7 lead with 3:37 left.

Aleksandar Sepic tied the score 30 seconds later and Viktor Jelenic’s backhand shot gave Yugoslavia the lead with 1:46 left.

Azevedo had the last chance for the U.S., which had a 6-on-5 advantage. His shot missed by inches.

“That was a pretty good game for the end of June,” U.S. Coach John Vargas said. “We’re not in Olympic shape yet. Hopefully we’ll be able to turn it up a couple notches. We need a little more time together.”

Still, Vargas had to be pleased. His team played even with the best talent in the world. Just ask any Yugoslavian player.

“We have the best quality, but quality doesn’t always win the gold,” said Sepic, who had two goals. “The Olympics is peculiar tournament. The team with quality doesn’t always win the gold medal.

“Spain did not have the best quality in 1996, but they had some luck and ended up golden boys.”

Yugoslavia (4-0), which won Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1988, has dominated the tournament, outscoring opponents, 36-18, before Friday’s game.

The U.S. (2-1-1) seemed to be just more fodder in the first half, trailing, 6-3. Yugoslavia’s defense was oppressive and what shots did get through were usually handled by 36-year-old goalie Aleksandar Sostar. He twice made saves on point-blank shots by Chris Humbert, the U.S. team’s leading scorer.

Humbert had seven goals in two previous games, but scored only two Friday against Yugoslavia’s physical defense. Sostar finished with nine saves, including one on a Chris Oeding shot with a minute left.

What closed the gap was speed. The U.S. created opportunities with quick counters, which led to three second-half goals.

“We swam at them in the second half and it paid off,” Vargas said.

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Water Polo

* What: UPS Cup Men’s International Tournament

* When: Today-Sunday

* Where: USA Water Polo National Aquatic Center, located on the Joint Forces Training Base, 11200 Lexington Dr., Los Alamitos

* Basics: Round-robin tournament gives U.S. coaches their final look at athletes competing for spots on Olympic team, which will be named Aug. 1.

* Today’s schedule: noon--Australia vs. U.S. B team; 1:30 p.m.--U.S. vs. Italy; 3--Yugoslavia vs. Croatia.

* Tickets: All sessions--$32 for adults, $20 for students; individual sessions--$10 for adults, $6 for students; finals only--$12 for adults, $8 for students.

* Website: https://www.ups-cup.com

* Information: City of Los Alamitos, Recreation and Community Services Dept., (562) 430-1073