Serbia beat Spain on penalties to seize world title

Serbia beat Spain 7-6 on penalties after drawing 7-7 after extra time to win a dramatic men's waterpolo final at the world acquatics championships on Saturday night.

The final was all-square at 4-4 at the end of the third quarter but Serbia quickly gained the advantage in the final period with Filip Filipovic scoring with a powerful shot.

Serbia's goalkeeper then pulled off a string of fine saves before Dusko Pijetlovic put them further in front.

However, Xavier Garcia then netted twice, the second coming 11 seconds from the end, to force the game into extra time at six-all.

After a goal apiece in overtime, the Serbians prevailed in a long and tense shoot-out under the lights at a converted tennis court at the Foro Italico.

"My guys gave everything they had and they deserved to win," said Serbia coach Dejan Udovicic.

"Spain beat us in our first (group) match of this tournament and this victory over them is a good revenge."

Spain coach Rafael Aguilar was philosophical in defeat.

"Penalties are penalties. We won in Melbourne two years ago (against Serbia for bronze) but tonight it went wrong," he said.

In the bronze medal match, 2007 winners Croatia defeated United States 8-6 with Samir Barac scoring two goals from three shots.

The US retained the women's gold medal on Friday thanks to a 7-6 victory over Canada.