WATER POLO: The Australian men's water polo team have upset Hungary to beat them for the first time in 11 years, claiming a 9-6 win and fifth place at the FINA World League Super Final in Bergamo, Italy.
Although frustrated by their inconsistent form earlier in the week, Australia had conceded just 39 goals in their first five games, equal to Hungary as the best in tournament to that point, and setting up what would be a battle to see who would crack first under pressure.
Hungary had looked dangerous early in the encounter, making it clear to the Australian’s that they would need to work hard if they were to beat them for the first time at the world league, the first time since 1996 and the first time at a FINA event since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Uncharacteristic of their earlier games, Australia’s winning effort was due to a strong third quarter, where Richie Campbell pierced the Hungarian defense with a trio of goals that set up the victory against the traditionally strong European side. Hoodoo
The win ensured the Sharks came as close as possible to matching their fourth placed effort at the corresponding event in 2014, providing the team with a shot of assurance ahead of next month’s FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia.
Australia’s early offensive effort was tentative, instead relying on defence and solidarity from goalkeeper Joel Dennerley to hold Hungary to a single goal. It wasn’t until the six minute mark that the Sharks came alive, Nathan Power scoring on the post, while Aaron Younger sent home a powerful five metre shot to see Australia suddenly leading 2-1 at the break.
The Sharks wasted little time in the second term, as Johnno Cotterill snuck under the radar with a well-timed drive to score his first goal of the game. Hungary responded in the very next play and soon after made it two unanswered goals to equalise with Australia, the score 3-3 at half time.
Australia were undeniably strong in the third term as Campbell romped to three successive goals to break the game wide open, while Power again capitalised on the post and helped the Sharks to a 7-5 lead at the final break.
Playing with renewed confidence, Australia had as much as a four goal lead early in the final term courtesy of Younger with his second and a rocket by Aidan Roach that found the back of the cage. Although they wouldn’t score again, Dennerley led Australia’s defense to withstand wave after wave of Hungarian attack to secure the win.
Australia: Joel Dennerley (GK) (NSW), (NSW), Richard Campbell (NSW), George Ford (WA), Johnno Cotterill (NSW), Nathan Power (NSW), Jarrod Gilchrist (NSW), Aidan Roach (NSW), Aaron Younger (WA), Joel Swift (WA), Tyler Martin (NSW), Rhys Howden (QLD), Billy Miller (QLD), James Clark (GK)
Result: Australia 9 bt Hungary 6
Quarters: 2-1, 1-2, 4-2, 2-1
AUS scorers: R Campbell 3, N Power 2, A Younger 2, J Cotterill, A Roach
Water Polo Australia updated release
Saturday 27 June
Brazil hold on to beat Aussie men in one goal thriller
WATER POLO: The Australian men's water polo team have suffered a heartbreaking one goal quarterfinal loss to tournament surprise packet Brazil at the FINA World League Super Finals in Bergamo, Italy.
Australia led at the first two breaks but couldn’t match the much improved South Americans in the second half, going down 9-8 and tumbling into the playoffs for fifth to eighth.
It was a disappointing result for the Australians who had shown indications in this tournament that they could match it with the world’s best, if at times inconsistently.
For Brazil, the win came off the back of an opening game upset of defending Olympic champions Croatia and propelled them into their first semi final at this level of international competition.
It took Australia six and a half minutes to register the game’s first goal, an extra man strike from Jarrod Gilchrist but just 45 seconds for their second on counter attack courtesy of Tyler Martin. Those two goals spurred Brazil into action and after Rudic called a timeout they scored to make it 2-1.
Brazil scored the first two goals of the second term to take the lead for the first time with two minutes left in the half but Australia equalised immediately via a tap in on the post in extra man by George Ford and went into halftime up a goal, 4-3, following another in man-up from Joel Swift.
The teams traded several goals early in the third, the Sharks’ to captain Rhys Howden and Nathan Power before Brazil netted two straight to go into three quarter time up by a goal, 7-6.
Swift levelled things up with a stunning turn and shoot to score from centre forward just 30 seconds into the final period but Brazil answered straight back in extra man before going up by two goals midway through the quarter. Johnno Cotterill got Australia back to within one with just under two minutes left in the match but Brazil hung on for an historic victory.
The match had some extra spice given the head coaches at either end of the pool. At one end, leading Brazil, was the legendary Ratko Rudic, the four-time Olympic gold medal winning mentor who guided Croatia to the Olympic crown in 2012. At the other was his assistant at those London Olympics and now Australian head coach Elvis Fatovic.
To say the two coaches understand each other’s coaching styles is a massive understatement and it was always going to be a tight defensive struggle. This time the Master was too good for the Apprentice.
Australia: Joel Dennerley (GK) (NSW), Richard Campbell (NSW), George Ford (WA), Johnno Cotterill (NSW), Nathan Power (NSW), Jarrod Gilchrist (NSW), Aidan Roach (NSW), Aaron Younger (WA), Joel Swift (WA), Tyler Martin (NSW), Rhys Howden (QLD), Billy Miller (QLD), James Clark (GK) (NSW)
Result: Australia 8 lost to Brazil 9
Quarters: 2-1, 2-2, 2-4, 2-2
AUS scorers: J Swift 2, J Gilchrist, T Martin, G Ford, R Howden, N Power, J Cotterill
Water Polo Australia release
