Serbia beat Spain on penalties to seize world waterpolo title

ROME (Reuters) - 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 aquatics championships on Saturday.

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 6-6.

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

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

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

(Reporting by Mark Meadows; Editing by Justin Palmer)