Hungary and Greece have sealed direct qualifications for the men's water polo semi-finals after finishing top of their respect group at the Olympic Games in Athens. 

Defending champions Hungary and hosts Greece will wait for the results of Wednesday's quarter-finals to whom they will play the semis Friday.

 

Hungary beat Russia 7-6 Monday and finished a perfect 5-0 in Group A while Greece defeated Italy 6-4 to rank first in Group B, ending with a 4-0 winning streak after losing to Germany in the opening game.

 

Serbia and Montenegro were second in Group A and will play Spain, third-placed in Group B, in the quarter-finals.

 

Germany took the second spot in Group B and now will take on Russia, third in Group A, for a semi-final spot.

 

The winner of the match between Serbia and Montenegro and Spain will play against Greece, while Hungary will face the winner of the quarter-final match pitting Germany against Russia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 24, 2004)