BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Former Salem International University standout Michal Izdinsky scored once as France fell to Australia, 11-10, in Group B competition on the second day (Wednesday, July 19) of men’s competition at the 2017 FINA World Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
Izdinsky, who was red-carded along with Australia’s center forward Joe Kayes midway through the third quarter, was among six French players to score in the game joing Ugo Crousillat (three), Thibaut Simon (two), Mehdi Marzouki (two), Alexandre Camarasa (one) and Igor Kovacevic (one).
The game featured a total of 25 exclusion as France shot seven-for-12 on man-up opportunities, with Australia netting a three-for-14 performance.
Down 3-1 and 4-2 early in the game, France rallied back to claim a 5-4 lead by the conclusion of the first quarter. After being outscored 2-1 in the second quarter to enter halftime deadlocked at six-all, the French fell off the pace to trail 9-7 after three quarters of action and set-up a climatic fourth quarter without the presence of Izdinsky.
Ahead 10-7 with time winding down in the fourth quarter, France rallied back to move within 10-9 with 4:42 left on the game clock. Three minutes later a short-drive by Australia’s Lachlan Edwards secured the match to push the Aussies ahead 11-9. However, France took a timeout, secured an ejection and Simon narrowed the gap to one at 11-10 with 12 seconds remaining on the clock. Australia wasted the remaining seconds from there to escape with a one-goal win.
The contest marked the second French game with a high number of exclusions as the team fell to Italy, 18-9, on Monday, July 17, in a 23-ejection event that featured 13 man-up scores.
Izdinsky and France will next be in action against Hungary in the Group B finale on Friday, July 21. Australia and Hungary squared off on the opening day of the tournament with the Hungarians claiming a 13-3 win.
The top finisher in each group will earn a bye to the Quarterfinal Round, while teams 2-4 from each group will battle on July 23 for the right to advance.
The top-eight remaining teams after day six of competition will advance to the Final Round with a champion slated for crowning on July 29 in Budapest.
