The Aussie Sharks burst through for a gripping penalty-shootout victory over the United States of America to set up a FINA Men’s Water Polo World League bronze-medal clash with Greece in Athens.

Last week it was the Aussie women playing for the bronze medal, losing to Russia 12-7, and tomorrow it will be the Sharks’ turn to see if they can lift their first major medal since World Cup bronze in 1993.

The Sharks exacted revenge on the USA for a two-goal loss in the semifinal round by drawing the match 10-10 and not missing any of its four shots in the nail-biting finale.

The USA missed the first and fifth shots to give the Sharks an incredible 14-13 victory and a shot at Greece, a 14-7 winner over France. Australia trailed 2-1 at the quarter but levelled at four by halftime.

The third period was drawn 4-all and the fourth 2-all to set up the shootout. Ironically, it was one of the world’s highest-paid players, USA captain Tony Azevedo, who missed the first shot.

Aussie captain Thomas Whalan, Pietro Figlioli, Trent Franklin and Grant Richardson were flawless with their shots.

Whalan and Franklin top-scored with three goals each but they will need all their skills to get past Greece, who beat them 14-12 the previous day after the Sharks led for most of the match.

Serbia & Montenegro and Spain had already qualified for the gold-medal play-off.

Australian Water Polo