The Australian Stingers women's water polo team have crushed Spain 14-6 in their opening round robin game of the FINA World League finals in Tianjin, China.

In a technical game that saw a total of 31 major fouls, the Australians jumped out to a 7-2 halftime lead and were never really threatened by the Spaniards.

Gemma Beadsworth, Bronwen Knox, Kate Gynther and Ash Southern all scored three for the Stingers.

Australia play Canada tomorrow and the in form Russians on Thursday. Those two teams fought out a tense 8-7 win to Russia today.

The World League is the biggest international lead-up to the FINA World Championships in Shanghai in July.

Water Polo Australia