The Aussie Stingers have almost pulled off one of water polo’s great comebacks before going down 8-7 to the USA in a thrilling gold medal match at the FINA World League Super Final in Shanghai.
The experienced USA team, the defending World League, World Cup and Olympic champions, got away to a blistering start, scoring twice inside the opening minutes to lead 6-2 at quarter time.
Thereafter, the plucky Australians playing with just three reserve field players to the USA’s five, fought tooth and nail to claw their way back into the game and at times dominated their opponent, but the early deficit proved too great.
The medal was Australia’s fifth silver and ninth overall in 12 FINA World League competitions, a tournament they have not yet been able to win. This was also the fourth time the Stingers have fallen in the world league gold medal match to the Americans.
The USA came out of the blocks firing, scoring from centre forward and on the counter attack to build up a massive first quarter lead but the Australians fought back, winning the second quarter 3-1 with the first goal to Nicola Zagame and a second for the game each to Ash Southern and Bronte Halligan.
The third quarter was an end-to-end slugfest with opposing centre forwards Kami Craig and Australia’s Holly Lincoln-Smith battling for ascendancy at their respective ends, neither side able to add to their half time score.
The Americans scored first in the final term but the Australians called on their team catch-cry of ‘Stingers Pride’ and scored the next two goals – a third to Southern and a second to Zagame before running out of time.
The world league finals tournament saw many positive signs for the Stingers, not least of which was the courage and commitment shown when down on troops and in the water without experienced players at vital times, particularly in the one-goal group stage win over Italy and the gold medal game.
The Stingers return to Australia on Tuesday and spend two weeks on home soil before heading to Hungary and Montenegro for training and preparation ahead the FINA World Championships in Kazan where they are set to play their opening group stage game against Greece on July 26.
The Stingers’ World League squad included WAIS scholarship holders Glencora McGhie and Zoe Arancini. The pair, along with fellow WAIS athlete Gemma Beadsworth, are all in the selection frame for the Australian women’s squad at the World Championships in Russia.
-WaterPoloAus
