Rio 2016 Olympic champions Serbia beat Romania in Bucharest today as they continued their perfect start to the European qualification stage in the 2017 FINA Men’s Water Polo World League ©FINA

Rio 2016 Olympic champions Serbia beat Romania in Bucharest today as they continued their perfect start to the European qualification stage of the 2017 International Swimming Federation (FINA) Men's Water Polo World League.

A 9-4 victory takes Serbia to 11 points in Group A, six more than nearest challengers Slovakia who lost 9-8 to Germany after a penalty shoot-out in Stuttgart.

Croatia, who Serbia dethroned as Olympic champions by overcoming them in the Rio 2016 final in August, remain top of Group B with nine points, despite losing to 10-8 to Greece in Piraeus. 

Greece are also on nine points in second place and are followed in the standings by The Netherlands, who defeated France 7-6 in Strasbourg to increase their tally to six. 

Group C action saw Russia cruise to a 19-8 success over Georgia in Kazan.

Rio 2016 silver medallists Croatia remain top of Group B, despite losing to Greece ©Getty Images
Rio 2016 silver medallists Croatia remain top of Group B, despite losing to Greece ©Getty Images

The fifth round of the 2017 FINA Men's Water Polo World League 2017 is due to take place on March 14.

Group A fixtures see Slovakia’s meeting with Romania and Serbia’s encounter with Germany.

The Netherlands will battle it out against Greece, while the other match in Group B pits Croatia against France.

Italy will play host to Russia in Group C.

Only the trio of group winners will make it through to the Super Final, which has yet to be allocated a host nation or dates.

The host nation, as well as four non-European teams who progress from an Intercontinental Tournament, will also compete.