Stingers Advance to FINA World Champs Semi-Finals
The Australian Stingers have earned a guaranteed shot at a medal at the 2019 FINA World Championships in Korea after sensationally defeating Russia 9-7 in the quarter-finals.
The win takes the Aussie girls through to the semi-final stage which will either see them play for gold, or bronze at the highest competition level outside of the Olympic Games.
Australia was up against a formidable opponent in Russia. Indeed, it was the same nation that ended the Stingers’ medal hopes at the recent World League Super Final in Budapest.
But whereas they suffered a 9-8 heartbreak on that occasion, when it matter most, the Aussies drew on all their reserves to muster a morale boosting 9-7 win against a team that had claimed bronze medals at both; the Rio 2016 Olympics and the 2017 FINA World Championships.
The Australians won two quarters to Russia’s one, with their two goal to nothing advantage in the second quarter proving pivotal.
Their path gets no easier however, with the Stingers now scheduled for a crunch semi-final showdown with the all-conquering USA. The US asserted their dominance with a crushing 15-5 win over a highly capable Greece outfit in their quarter-final.
Zoe Arancini – playing in her 251st match for the Australian women’s national side scored the second goal of the game for the Stingers, with Hannah Buckling (2), Bronte Halligan (2), Rowie Webster (3) and Elle Armit the other scorers.
The Australian Sharks will face Hungary in their quarter-final clash on Tuesday, hoping to join the Stingers in the medal rounds.
