Budapest Campaign Closes for Aussie Water Polo Teams
Australia’s water polo campaign at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest has come to an end with the men’s team closing competition ranked seventh and the women’s team ranked eighth.
The Aussie Sharks completed a 10-7 win over Russia in the 7th – 8th playoff to end competition on a high note.
Captain Aaron Younger scored a brace, whilst fellow West Aussies Tim Putt and Andrew Ford were also on the score sheet in the Sharks win. The state was also represented by George Ford, Ed Slade and James Fannon, with WAIS coach Paul Oberman travelling with the team as an assistant coach.
Younger said the final result for Australia was a fair barometer for where the team sits.
“It was a good game. With a win like this we are really happy and I think the seventh place is good for our team, which is still quite new and young.
“It is a good start for us towards Tokyo, the tournament has been great. I think, one of the best World Championships. We are going to keep building from here,” Younger said.
A youthful Australian Stingers squad finished their campaign ranked eighth overall, after losing their final clash with Greece 8-6.
WA athletes Zoe Arancini, Jessica Zimmerman and Lilian Hedges all featured for the Stingers over the course of the tournament, with the latter pair making their first world championship team appearance.
Head coach Sakis Kechagias said the team will look to learn from the experiences gained in Budapest.
“We gained experience. We will move on and analyse what we can do to be better and to be ready for our future matches,” he said.