Stingers Too Good for Italy in World League

For the second day in a row the Aussie Stingers women’s water polo team has thrashed their opposition at the FINA World League Super Finals in Changshu, China, this time disposing of Italy 12-2.

In their first round robin game on Tuesday night the Australians walloped Canada 20-4 and whilst they didn’t score as many goals against their young opposition in the second game, their defence that restricted Italy to just one goal per half was outstanding.

The Australians will face their first true test of the World League finals at 9pm (AEST) tonight when they play London Olympic group partners Russia.

Sophie Smith and captain Kate Gynther both scored three goals for the second consecutive game whilst Beijing Olympian and WAIS-AIS athlete Gemma Beadsworth, 2011 Player of the Year Rowena Webster and goalkeeper Victoria Brown also played well.

In a sign that the Australians have set themselves high standards in the lead-up to the London Olympics Brown said the team wasn’t entirely happy with the way they had performed, despite the 10 goal margin.

“We probably didn’t play as well as we would have liked,” Brown, a veteran of 171 games for Australia said.

“We rushed our attack a little bit and missed some options that yesterday we were converting.

“But our defence, definitely, to only let them score two goals is fantastic and the girls were really working hard in defence which is great for me as the goalkeeper.”

The World League is the last major tournament on the international calendar prior to the Olympics and includes fellow London 2012 teams Italy, Russia, China and the USA.

It is also the last opportunity for Australian players to impress ahead of the Olympic team announcement on June 12.

– Water Polo Australia