2024 Paris Olympics: USA men's water polo defeats Hungary to win bronze, first medal in 16 years

Liz Roscher
NANTERRE, FRANCE - AUGUST 11: Alex Bowen of Team United States reacts after victory whilst draped in a flag of the United States in the Bronze Medal match between Team United States and Team Hungary on day sixteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Paris La Defense Arena on August 11, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Alex Bowen of Team USA celebrates after defeating Team Hungary for the bronze medal at Paris La Defense Arena on August 11, 2024 in Nanterre, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) (Clive Rose via Getty Images)

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Team USA added one more medal to its count Sunday, with the men's water polo team defeating longtime rival Hungary to win the bronze.

The match was close, especially in the fourth quarter. Team USA led 6-5, but then allowed three straight goals from Hungary. USA was able to tie the score with two more goals, but couldn't score the go-ahead goal. The match came down to a shootout. Each team has five chances to score in a one-on-one with the opposing team's goalie.

Hannes Daube, Max Irving and Alex Bowen scored on each of their attempts, while American goalkeeper Adrian Weinberg was a brick wall, preventing Hungary from netting a single goal in the shootout. Hungary's third miss after three straight American goals gave Team USA the win, and the boys celebrated both in and out of the water.

Team USA hasn't won a medal in men's water polo since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Ironically, they lost to Hungary in the gold medal match, taking home silver.

Team USA and Hungary are the two most successful teams in Olympic water polo history. Hungary has 16 medals (though they didn't win a single one in Paris), and USA now has 10, including their bronze against Hungary.

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