Rusty U.S. Team Edged by Croatia

NEWPORT BEACH — Chris Humbert, who arrived from Greece this week, wasn’t too surprised by the U.S. team’s lull Wednesday. There were factors that made it inevitable.

There were U.S. players, like Humbert, who are still adjusting from European time. Then there was Croatia, which is on a rather tight schedule. The result was a 9-8 Croatia victory in the Newport International Water Polo Tournament in front of 800 at Corona del Mar High’s Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center.

It was the first loss for the U.S. team in this tournament since losing to Russia in the 1995 championship game.

“I thought we had a strong first half,” said Humbert, who was playing professionally in Greece before returning to the United States. “But they have some big boys on that team. It’s a rough sport. We got a little tired and lost some focus.”

The Croatia players, on the other hand, remained fixated. This is the beginning of a highly competitive summer for them, with the FINA World Cup later this month, followed by the Mediterranean Games in June and the European championships in August.

They appeared prepared for the competition, rallying from a 6-4 third-quarter deficit. Croatia, which won the silver medal at the 1996 Olympics, held the U.S. team to one goal--a penalty shot by Chris Oeding--during a nine-minute stretch in the second half.

“This tournament is good preparation for us,” Croatia’s Bruno Silic said. “Besides Canada, any team can win it. We need this to be ready for this summer.”

The U.S. players needed it to get acquainted and smooth out their play. Key turnovers were costly, the biggest being an offensive foul by Humbert in front of the U.S. net in the fourth quarter. It gave possession to Croatia and Zdeslav Vrdoljak immediately scored to give Croatia an 8-7 lead.

Hrvoje Herceg made it 9-7 with 2 minutes 44 seconds left. Croatia then turned back a U.S. rally, blocking two shots in the final 10 seconds.

“You can’t put it down to one play at the end,” said Oeding, who had his shot blocked with 10 seconds left.

No, it was more a spiraling problem. Oeding, who scored three goals, broke a 4-4 halftime score with back-to-back goals in the third quarter. At that point, the U.S. offense came to a standstill.

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Newport International Water Polo Tournament

* When: Today-Sunday

* Where: Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center, Corona del Mar High, 2101 Eastbluff Drive, Newport Beach

* Today’s Schedule: Canada vs. Yugoslavia, 5 p.m.; Greece vs. Croatia, 6:15 p.m.; United States vs. Australia, 7:30 p.m.

* Tickets: $8 adults, $4 for students.

* Information: (714) 862-4052