Aussie Stingers go down to the wire in Olympic gold medal rematch against Spain

In an Olympic style rematch, the Aussie Stingers took on Paris gold medalists Spain, going down to the wire and recording a narrow loss, 11-14.

With the World Cup points reset to zero, all three games in phase two will determine the rankings for the World Cup Super Final, to be played in April.

Australia came out firing, scoring three goals in the first quarter courtesy of Paris Olympians Alice Williams (2) and Abby Andrews (1). Spain fired back in the second quarter, outscoring the Stingers 5-0, and the scores standing at 3-8 in favour of the Spanish at half time.

Momentum swung back in favour of the Aussies in the third quarter, courtesy of some tough defence and clinical attack that saw them outscore the opposition 7-3 to close the scoreline to 10-11 at three quarter time.

Charlize Andrews scored a crucial goal in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to hold off the Spanish, who claimed a three-goal victory. Olympic silver medalist Sienna Hearn, a NSW Institute of Sport athlete pictured above, said: “I think we did a really good job, but we lapsed in the second quarter and that probably cost us the game.

“We fought hard, and played true Stingers style of water polo in the third quarter, but we just couldn’t hold on enough.”

The Stingers will play Greece on Sunday 19 January at 4am AEDT.

“Greece will have a big crowd, and I think they are going to come out strong,” said Hearn. “They are a really physical and tough team, so we need to expect that and not be taken aback by that.

“Playing in front of a big crowd brings up that energy in the team, so I think it will be exciting but it will be challenging so we’ll have to be really good with our communication and listening to each other really well in the pool.”

AUSSIE STINGERS DRAW

Wednesday 15 January | Australia 9 def by Netherlands 11

Thursday 16 January | Australia 15 d Israel 6

Friday 17 January | Australia 12 d Italy 8

Saturday 18 January | Australia 11 def by Spain 14

Sunday 19 January |4am AEDT | Australia v Greece

Monday 20 January | 2am AEDT | Australia v Netherlands

Story and photos courtesy of Water Polo Australia