Younger Steals Aussie Victory at the Death Over Germany

WAIS water polo scholarship athletes Aaron Younger, George Ford and Joel Swift have helped the Australian national team snatch a narrow 10-9 win over hosts Germany, avenging their narrow defeat in the first match of the series.

After a dominating first half from the Aussies, the home side were not going to give up too easily and fought back to level the scores 9-9 with a minute to go.

In the dying seconds, London Olympian Aaron Younger swam the length of the pool to score a dramatic winner for the Sharks.

Having lost the first test to Germany the previous day by a single goal, Sharks player Nathan Power said it was good for the team to finish the training camp and test matches on a high.

“It was a great way to finish off the camp with the Germans. Obviously played against these guys before, we matched up with them two years ago, they are in a very strong position right now I’d say stronger then they were two years ago.

“The week here (Nuremberg) has been great for us and to cap it off with a win like we did today was very special.

“We have realised the importance that fitness has in the style of play we play and also we need to bring the intensity in defence in every time we play, every second of the game, said Power.

Germany was the first stop for the Australian Men’s Water Polo Team as part of the European Training tour which is part of their preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Australian Men’s Head Coach Elvis Fatovic said while the result was good there is plenty of work to be done.

“We are not in full fitness at this time, but I believe for June, July and August we’ll very fit and there are some good signs already,’ said Fatovic.

“The training with them (Germany) was really good, for us it has come at a perfect time.

“Now we have two more challenges, we will train with World Champions and silver medallists from the last World Championships, Serbia and Croatia.

“We know it will be tough for us because all of them will be at their peak as it is in the peak European season but we will try to use the time with them the best we can as we’ve done here, said Fatovic.

The Aussie Sharks now head to Belgrade, Serbia for the next leg of the training camp. WAIS men’s water polo coach Paul Oberman is also travelling with the group, as an assistant coach and team manager. 

-WaterPoloAus