WATER POLO: Overnight the Australian Women’s Water Polo played top European side Hungary with the closely fought match ending in 7-7.

With the Olympics just two weeks away, both sides are busy making final team preparations. 

Hungary earned their selection for the Olympics after winning the European Championships and have put the other nations on notice that they are ones to watch in Rio. 

Selected for her second Olympic Games, Holly-Lincoln Smith said the team were preparing well but would have liked to come away with the win last night. 

“To be honest we’re a bit disappointed with the draw. You could see the reaction from the two teams after the game, where they were quite happy and we were disappointed,” said Lincoln-Smith. 

“Right now our aim is to win every game and to play our best water polo and unfortunately we didn’t have that performance.

“Keeping in mind they were the first European team to qualify for the Olympics, it was never going to be an easy game.

“But right now we expect the best and we won’t settle for anything less than that. A draws a draw but rest assure we’ll be out to win every game we play come Rio,” she said.  

The game was tight throughout with Australia only ever managing to be one goal in front throughout. At half time Australia held 5-4 lead over the hosts, but Hungary fought back in front of a packed crowd to tie up the scores 6-6 after the third quarter.

Tough defence proved all the difference in the final quarter with both sides only managing one goal a piece. 

The Aussie training camp will now head to Montenegro on the weekend where the side will base themselves ahead of arriving in Rio on the 1 August. 

Lauren Ryan
Water Polo Australia