Sharks Fall to Montenegro in World League

The Australian men’s water polo team has fallen to a gallant 10-8 defeat in their final group match of the 2018 FINA World League Super Final in Budapest.

The Sharks will now face a quarter-final clash with Spain in their cross-over match late on Thursday evening Perth time.

Australia had lost to Hungary and defeated Japan in their opening two matches, whilst Montenegro came into the game undefeated.

Despite being firm underdogs against the nation that finished fourth at the 2016 Olympic Games and fifth at least year’s World Championships, the Sharks proved to be anything but a pushover.

The match was a high quality affair, with a wrestle between defence and attack throughout. Montenegro proved a touch more clinical, scoring one goal more than the Australians across the opening three quarters to head into the last period with a three goal advantage.

The Sharks won the final term by two goals to Montenegro’s one, but it was too little, too late in terms of salvaging a result.

Aaron Younger scored two goals for the Australians and he was joined in action by fellow West Australians; Andrew Ford, Tim Putt and Nicholas Elphick.

The Sharks closed Group A with one win and two defeats, finishing in third place. They now face Group B’s second ranked side Spain for a potential berth in the semi-finals.

Full standings and results can be viewed here.