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RIO DE JANEIRO -- Hungary is the home of 15 Olympic mens water polo medals, more than any other country. It owned the pool in Sydney, Athens and Beijing, winning three consecutive gold medals.And it was practically an afterthought when it arrived in Rio de Janeiro.While Serbias recent success dominated the pre-Olympic talk heading into group play, it didnt take very long for Hungary and Croatia to break out of the shadow created by the world champions. Hungary led most of the way before settling for a 13-13 tie with Serbia in the first game in Brazil on Saturday, and Croatia followed with a 7-5 victory over the United States.It was only opening day -- each team plays five matches before the field is cut down for the quarterfinals -- but it was clear there is depth in the mens field beyond the powerful Serbians.I think they are one of the favorites, but we are also there, Hungary driver Marton Vamos said. We can beat everybody.Serbia is seeking its first gold medal after winning bronze at each of the last two Olympics. It arrived in Rio coming off a dazzling stretch that included the world championship last year and the European title in January.Hungary finished fifth at the London Olympics, missing the podium for the first time since 1996 in Atlanta. It dropped to sixth at last years world championships in Russia, but the country remains a threat in the eyes of its competitors.Hungary is the land of water polo, Serbia driver Stefan Mitrovic said.It sure looked that way in the opener at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre. Gabor Kis scored in the final seconds of the first half and Norbert Hosnyanszky added another goal early in the third, helping Hungary open a 10-6 lead.Hungary looked as if it was going to hang on for 13-12 win before Filip Filipovic scored his third goal in the final seconds for Serbia. Hungary coach Tibor Benedek said he was satisfied with the result for the group play opener, and then happily reaffirmed Serbias status as the favorite.It should be the problem of Serbia, a smiling Benedek said. They are the favorite of the tournament. We are easy for this.Croatia rallied for an 8-6 victory over Italy in the 2012 Olympic final, and lost 11-4 to Serbia in the final of the world championships last year. Facing a U.S. squad overhauled by former Serbia coach Dejan Udovicic, Croatia showed off the same championship mettle it employed to such great success in London.Andelo Setka gave Croatia a 5-4 lead with a long shot from up top with 2:16 left in the third. He added another goal from outside in the fourth, and Croatia shut out the U.S. for much of the second half.For us, Croatia and Serbia are the two most strong right now, U.S. captain Tony Azevedo said. Hungary had a great game. They were up by four, but they also ended up tying when they were up by four. So Serbia clearly is still more dominant, but you know whats great about the Olympic Games, you never know.Azevedo, making his fifth appearance in the Olympics -- a record for the U.S. program -- scored two goals in his return to his native Rio de Janeiro. He also plays professionally for Sesi in Sao Paulo.Its really nice, and to get that first goal out of the way is great, he said. But honestly, I dont care if I score another goal again. I just need to win this damn game.Also Saturday, Italy edged Spain 9-8, Brazil topped Australia 8-7, Greece rallied for a dramatic 8-7 victory over Japan and Montenegro posted a 7-4 win against France. Greece trailed 7-4 after three quarters.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenapAir Max 90 Replica Uk . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. Cheap Nike Air Max Outlet .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. http://www.fakeairmaxukoutlet.com/best-max-tn-trainers-cheap-uk.html . Robinson finished with 17 points, all but two in the second half, and Lawson had 14 after halftime and finished with a game-high 11 assists as the Nuggets handed Dallas its first home loss in eight games this season. J.J. Hickson led Denver with 22, and Kenneth Faried added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Cheap Air Max 90 Uk . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Fake Air Max 720 . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler.VANCOUVER -- Its a situation not of his making, but Bo Horvat understands the quandary he faces with the Vancouver Canucks. Until the first-round NHL draft pick proves his value to the rabid Canuck fan base, Horvat will be identified as the player Vancouver received in the trade for goaltender Cory Schneider. Trying to replace one of the Canucks more popular figures is a big load to carry, even for someone with Horvats wide shoulders. "I dont think there is any pressure," Horvat said Wednesday. "Im trying not to think about it too much. Its always going to be out there and everyone is going to be asking how I feel about it. "Im just going out there and playing my game and do what I do best. I want to focus on my game and prove I can be part of the Vancouver Canuck organization and prove to everyone they made the right decision." Only time will tell if the Horvat trade will pay the same dividends as the draft-day dealings that saw Daniel and Henrik Sedin come to Vancouver. It could also come back to haunt the Canucks, like the trade that sent Cam Neely and a first-round draft pick to Boston for Barry Pederson. For now, the six-foot, 211-pound centre with the OHL London Knights is content to be one of 38 young players attending the Canucks prospect camp this week at Rogers Arena. "Im just trying to sink in everything I learn here," said the 18-year-old who grew up in Rodney, Ont. "They are doing a great job of getting us prepared for what is coming in the future, whether its main camp or next season." Canuck general manager Mike Gillis made the decision to trade Schneider after over a year of fruitless efforts to deal Roberto Luongo and his huge contract. The Canucks dealt Schneider to New Jersey on draft day for the Devils No. 9 pick, which they used to take Horvat. Horvat fits the bill for several Canuck needs. Hes a big centre who scored 33 goals and added 28 assists in 67 regular-season games for the Knights. He also was named the most valuable player of the OHL playoffs. With many of their key players over 30 years old, the Canucks want to get younger. "Thats great to hear," said Horvat. "I know a lot of teams in the NHL are going younger now. "To hear that . . . it really makes we want to work that much harder to prove myself, that I can be in the lineup." Not every firrst-round pick is ready for prime time in the NHL, but Horvat confidently talks like he could play with Vancouver this year.dddddddddddd "I feel Im ready," he said. "Theres always things I have to work on and can get better at. "I want to go out there and prove . . . I can stay up this year." The prospect camp involves the typical on-ice drills. There are also some not so typical off-ice activities like mixed martial arts training, yoga sessions and a trip up the gruelling Grouse Grind, a three-kilometre hike that climbs more than 850 metres. "It was something," said Horvat. "You keep staring at a mountain for two miles. "Its definitely a grind. Im glad I can say Ive done it now." Horvat laughed when asked about his yoga skills. "They are a little shaky," he said. "I have to start working on that and get a little more flexible. "It was a great experience. I havent done yoga like that before." Horvat was one of several prospects who visited BC Childrens Hospital Wednesday to meet the young patients and hand out hockey cards. Joining him was another Vancouver prospect who has spent time in the Canuck dressing room before. Cole Cassels, selected 85th overall from the OHL Oshawa Generals, is the son of Andrew Cassels, who spent three of his 16 NHL seasons in Vancouver. He remembers coming to practices with his father. "The Sedins were really young, they were my age I think," said the 18-year-old who had 15 goals and 43 points in 64 games last season for Oshawa. Cassels considers himself a play-making centre. "I use my teammates well," he said. "They seem to get open for me. I can put the puck on their stick. I think my hockey sense is one of my better attributes." Being a later-round pick, Cassels also knows his game needs improving. "I need to be a lot stronger," said the six foot, 178-pound native of Columbus, Ohio. "Quicker and stronger. Maybe get a little bit more selfish and shoot the puck some more." Growing up Cassels wanted to follow his father into the NHL but never thought he would end up a Canuck. "When you are young you are just dreaming about it," he said. "When you are 17 or 18, it becomes a reality. "The thought never popped in my head I would be in the same room he was." ' ' '