Italy to meet Croatia in water polo final

Alex Giorgetti ignited a streak of three quick first-period goals Friday, sending Italy to a 9-7 Olympic water polo semifinal win over Serbia. Italy earned a chance to win its first water polo gold medal in 20 years. Croatia will be the other finalist after downing Montenegro 7-5. Italy's burst of offense in the early going gave it a 4-2 lead and the Serbians came no closer than two goals the rest of the way. The Italians wound up ninth at the 2008 Olympics but captured the world championship in 2011 and defeated defending gold medal winner Hungary in the quarterfinals. Valentino Gallo led the Italians with three goals. Croatia built a 5-1 halftime lead and easily held off Montenegro during the final two quarters. The Croatians are looking for their first Olympic water polo gold medal, having finished second in Atlanta 16 years ago.