The Australian women’s water polo team has fallen to an 8-6 defeat in the final of the 2013 World Championships in Barcelona.
Following a fantastic tournament for the Stingers, the Aussies started slowly, suffering from a bout of finals nerves which they never fully recovered as they handed Spain an early buffer with three extra-man goals.
Australia rallied and was within touching distance at 2-3 and 3-4, before Spain’s determination in front of their packed home crowd told as they leapt out to a 3-6 lead.
The Stingers weren’t without their chances and continued to threaten but Spain’s keeper Laura Ester and skipper Jennifer Pareja were inspirational – creating the game breaking plays at both ends of the pool.
Spain now boasts a first women’s world championship title and becomes the first nation to win the gold medal on home soil. Australia settled for the silver, but it was an encouraging display following the retirement of some key members post the London Olympic Games.
The Stingers secured Australia’s highest finish at world championship level since Melbourne in 2007, whilst silver was their best result on foreign soil since the inaugural gold medal victory in 1986, and the medal was Australia’s second silver and fourth medal in the history of the world titles.
Coach Greg McFadden was disappointed by the final result, but gave full credit to Spain and praised his girls for a wonderful tournament and earmarked a great future for them given their three month preparation.
“While we didn’t come away with the result we wanted today we are very proud of the girls. It was a very tough game. Spain played very well, their keeper had an outstanding game and we couldn’t convert our opportunities,” McFadden said.
“Our defence was very good and that’s what we’ve been working on, but Spain has been together for three years, they’ve won a world junior championship, they played in the gold medal final at the Olympics and they’re a very experienced team and are used to playing in this hostile environment.
“For our girls, they’ve only been together three months and it’s been a fantastic effort so we can hold our heads high and are very proud of everyone.”
Rowie Webster, who scored a crucial goal in the second term and was selected in the team of the tournament, said it was a tough loss to take but said the future was bright for the team.
“It was tough game and we had the crowd against us. We had our opportunities but we missed out on them. We won bronze at the Olympics and silver here so we are now ready to fight for the gold at the next competition,” Webster said.
WAIS athletes Zoe Arancini and Glencora McGhie both found the net, whilst teammates; Ashleigh Southern, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Isobel Bishop and Webster also scored singles in the loss, with McGhie, Lincoln-Smith and Arancini named amongst Australia’s better players.
Webster was joined in the All Star team by Ester and Pareja – who were the goalkeeper and MVP of the tournament – while Hungary wrapped up the bronze medal with a 10-8 win over Russia.
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