The Aussie Sharks lost a penalty shootout to the United States of America in the final match of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League semifinals in Los Alamitos, California.

The game was locked at 5-5 at fulltime with the game going to the five-metre line. Veteran Daniel Marsden and Anthony Martin had their attempts blocked, giving the North Americans the game 9-7.

It was a fantastic game by the Sharks as they came back from 5-2 down at halftime to keep the USA scoreless in the second half. 

Goalkeeper Laurie Trettel stopped two penalty shot attempts in real time however was unable to duplicate the feat in the shootout.

The Sharks could have made the task easier if they had converted their extra-man opportunities more efficiently - only four from 12 compared to the USA’s four from six.

The USA finished top of the group with Australia second and France, a 12-6 winner over Brazil, third.

All three progress to the Super Finals in Athens, Greece, on August 2-6 against European semifinalist qualifiers Serbia & Montenegro, Spain and host nation Greece.

In Athens, Greece, the Australian junior women’s team won the Pythia Cup for the third time since 1999, beating Germany 11-2 yesterday and Greece 12-8 after earlier defeating world champion USA 10-9. It was the 10th tournament victory for head coach Bruce Falson in a chequered career, including a world title.

In Vancouver, Canada, the Aussie Crocodiles 16 and under girls’ team defeated Canada 18-3 a day after completing a four-game rout of Canadian provincial teams.

Victoria’s Rowena Webster was named best player and NSW’s Elysha O’Neill took home the top goalkeeper award.

Australian Water Polo