Water Polo World Champ Update

The Australian Sharks have missed out on the quarter final stage of the FINA water polo world championships following a 7-5 defeat at the hands of Romania last night.

WAIS scholarship holders James Stanton, Luke Quinlivan, Nick O’Halloran and Tim Cleland all represented the men’s side in Rome but will now have to make do with the playoffs for spots nine to 12.

Australia’s campaign had started with an 14-4 win over Kazakhstan, before the Sharks faced their first real challenge, which they lost 13-10 against Spain.

Stanton suggested after the result that Australia had not performed the basics well enough to win. “Half our team plays in Spain. We have had training camps with Spain. They don’t do anything amazing but they do it again and again,” he said.

Australia produced a much improved result in drawing 8-8 with super power Serbia in a thrilling match that Australia had led at the final break. It should have seen Australia head into the contest with Romania with a lot more enthusiasm, but it failed to eventuate as the Sharks were consigned to a playoff fixture with hosts Italy.

There was better news for WAIS athlete Glencora Ralph and the Australian Stingers, with the women’s side progressing to the quarter finals where it will face Greece in an attempt to feature in the semi-final.

Australia topped group C with two wins and a draw, needing a win and a seven goal margin to finish ahead of Canada – with who they drew. The Stingers proved far too good for New Zealand in the final pool match, winning it 14-4 to achieve the seven goal target.