Australia has finished third at the FINA Women’s Junior World Championships in Trieste, Italy after thrashing Russia 10-2 in their bronze medal playoff.
The Peter Szilagyi coached Australians led from start to finish – up 3-1 at quarter time, 7-1 at the half and 9-1 at the last break – to completely outplay a bewildered Russian team.
The victory was well deserved for the Australian team that lost their semi final to eventual gold medallists Spain by a solitary goal and stretched silver medallists Hungary to a draw in their opening group stage match on the first day of the tournament.
Two WAIS athletes earned bronze as part of the Australian team, with Zoe Arancini and Eleisha Browne both playing in the win over Russia.
As has been the case throughout the tournament the Australians’ result in the match against Russia was a thorough team effort with all 13 players contributing to the win.
An over the moon Szilagyi paid tribute to all of those that have been involved with the team over the last three years.
“I wish to say thank you to all coaches, parents and players for the support of the program in the last three years,” Szilagyi the WAIS women’s head coach said.
“The girls became mentally stronger after the semi final and proved themselves as a team and as individuals. It was a privilege to work with them.”
The team will now return to Australia for a short break before resuming training with their state institutes and academies, and club teams. Several members of the team are in contention for selection in the Australian team for the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Earlier: Australia will play Russia for the bronze medal after going down 7-8 in a nerve racking semi final against Spain at the FINA Women’s Junior World Championships in Trieste, Italy.
Just a day earlier the Australians had demolished Greece 10-5 in their quarterfinal and they carried that form into their clash with Spain, getting off to a flying start and leading 4-2 at quarter time.
They still held the lead at the long break – up 5-4 – before the Spaniards piled on three unanswered goals in the third period to set up what proved to be a match winning lead.
As much as the Australians tried valiantly to steal victory in the final term – scoring two goals to Spain’s one – they ran out of time and will now play Russia, who went down to Hungary 12-11 in extra time, for the bronze.
Australian coach Peter Szilagyi said the game came down to just a few lapses in concentration.
“We started very well and were dominating in the first half of the game until the end of the third quarter when the well supported Spanish scored three goals within a minute,” Szilagyi said.
“In the last period we came out with great attack, scored two quick goals to make it 7-all, but one defensive mistake put the Spanish back in front of us.
“We ran out of luck on the end as our six on five shot stopped on the goal line and our last minute penalty was not converted either.
“The competition not finished yet, we wish to have a medal in the hand after our last game.”
-Australian Water Polo
