Hungary wins men's gold with a Kiss

Gergely Kiss slammed the winning goal as Hungary came from behind to beat Serbia and Montenegro 8-7 and win the gold medal in the men's Olympic water polo on Sunday.

Gergely Kiss slammed the winning goal as Hungary came from behind to beat Serbia and Montenegro 8-7 and win the gold medal in the men's Olympic water polo on Sunday.

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The defending champions had never led until Kiss, a left-handed centre forward, put a straight-on shot past goalkeeper Denis Sefik with just over two minutes left in the game.

"We were almost broken," said driver Tamas Kasas, who scored twice for Hungary. "I could hardly believe that it (Kiss's goal) actually went in."

Serbia and Montenegro, the European champions, took advantage of a sluggish Hungarian start to score three goals in little more than two minutes and go out to a 7-5 lead early in the third quarter.

Then Serbia and Montenegro's offence began to sputter and Hungary levelled with 3:39 left on a goal and penalty shot by Kasas.

"We wanted to win, of course, but in the fourth period we failed. Nothing, nothing," said Vladimir Vujasinovic, the team captain.

Kiss scored four times to lead Hungary. Driver Aleksandar Sapic, the tournament's top scorer, put in two goals to head Serbia and Montenegro.

A clinging defence and stubborn play by Serbia and Montenegro goalie Denis Sefik hindered Hungary's potent attack, which featured three lefthanders, until well into the second half.

The victory marked the fourth time in six years Hungary has come from behind to beat Serbia and Montenegro, including a 6-4 win during the Olympic preliminaries, Hungarian coach Denes Kemeny said.

He added that he never considered replacing goalkeeper Zoltan Szecsi despite Serbia and Montenegro's early lead.

The win gave Hungary its eighth Olympic title since 1932.

In the bronze medal match, Russia beat host nation Greece 6-5. Revaz Chomakhidze scored four goals for the Russians.