Aussie Stingers inflict sudden death on Netherlands

DAY 5 MATCHES

Match 9, Group A, NETHERLANDS 14 AUSTRALIA 15 in sudden-death penalty shootout FT: 7-7. Pens: 7-8 (3-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1)

When these teams lined up to play for fifth in Doha last February, Netherlands was doing so as the outgoing world champion. Australia was coming from fourth in Fukuoka. In Doha, Netherlands came through 10-8. Today the tables were turned, but it required a shootout and 20 shots before the Aussie Stingers finished with the sudden-death penalty victory. The journey to the shootout was a real thriller.

The Dutch were dominant to start with and the first goal on penalty was equalised. However, Kitty Lynn Joustra and Lola Moolhuijzen — three minutes apart — had the match at 3-1 by quarter time. Alice Williams lobbed from the deep left for 3-2 and Dutch captain Sabrina van der Sloot received a cross pass on counter for 4-2 midway through the second quarter. Aussie Stingers captain Zoe Arancini drilled from deep right for 4-3, which was the halftime score.

Sienna Green levelled from deep left and Williams gained her second on extra for the first lead at 5-4. Simone van de Kraats converted her second penalty foul and Charlize Andrews fired one in from the top left off a cross pass for 6-5 at 2:15. This sent the match to the final quarter where the intensity stepped up. Van der Sloot countered and scored off a cross pass at 6:50 for 6-6 — the fourth tied score. Both teams took a timeout when on extra and failed to capitalise. Van de Kraats went to the penalty line for the third time but Gabi Palm smothered the ball with her left arm. Australia called a timeout and turned over the ball subsequently. A minute after the timeout and at 1:03, Green speared in a shot from the deep right into the bottom right for 7-6. It was game on. Bente Rogge locked the match up at 7-7 with a shot from right-hand catch off a cross pass at 0:41. Williams had a backhand shot saved and the Dutch called a timeout at 0:11. The shot was interfered with by Tilly Kearns and after a long VAR debate, she was excluded and Netherlands had .08 of a second to shoot, which it did and Palm saved, sending the match to a shootout.

Australia started and Keesja Gofers had Australia’s second shot saved. Netherlands’ fourth shot hit the post and it was 11-11 after the first rotation. Now we were into sudden death. Gofers fumbled the ball and Vivian Sevenich had her shot saved. Five more shots were successful before Moolhuijzen had her attempt saved by Genevieve Longman. The ball rolled toward the line, but it was snatched off the line to give Australia a wonderful victory.

Match Heroes
Full of heroes, but for Australia Green (above) and Williams scored twice and goalkeeper Palm stopped eight in the four quarters and two in the shootout. For Netherlands, van der Sloot and van de Kraats netted a pair and goalkeeper Laura Aarts stopped seven and one in the shootout.

Turning Point
The match was tied five times, but no better was the Dutch goal for 7-7, just 22 seconds after Australia had taken the lead going into the final minute. That and earlier, Australia’s 3-1 third period.

Stats Don’t Lie
What a problem both teams had on extra-man attack, with Australia finding the net once from six attempts and shutting out all the six Dutch attempts. Netherlands also had the benefit of two from three on penalty and two extra shots, but Australia had 54 per cent of the possession time. More time, more damage.

Bottom Line
This competition is far from over, but we can promise plenty of upsets and close matches. This was upset in reality, but shows what strides a team can make in such a short time. It was success for Australia today, however, do not rule the Dutch out from rebounding as the quarterfinals loom.

What They Said

Genevieve LONGMAN (AUS) — Goalkeeper

On taking no part in regulation time, but coming in as goalkeeper for the shootout:
“It's something I always know is a possibility, so I’m always ready on the bench and I have total faith in Gab (Gabriella Palm, her fellow goalkeeper who played all 32 minutes of regulation time). We're a team and we’ve always viewed it that way. If I'm called on, or needed in a penalty shootout, I’m always ready to go.”

On the win:
“It’s a great momentum builder for us. We can take a lot from that game. There's lots of stuff we still need to continue to work on and build on, but we're really just focused on the process and what we need to do. We want to keep putting together four-quarter performances and showing the world what Aussie Stingers water polo is all about – fast, exciting, trying to take the game on, making it a good spectacle and an enjoyable one.

“I’m just so proud of our team. It's one thing for us goalkeepers to stop the ball, but we had five girls putting those balls in the back of the net at the other end during the shootout. With all the nerves and the anxiety that goes with that, and to get the win, I'm just incredibly proud of this group. The way we held it together, we came back, and we really pushed what is an incredibly good team (Netherlands).”

On her winning save in the shootout:
“It was just a relief to get my hand on it, and then I needed to make sure the ball wasn't going to go over the line as it started moving back towards the goal. As soon as I heard the whistle being blown (to indicate the shootout was over), that's when the relief and overwhelming excitement hit.

On the bond between her and fellow goalkeeper PALM, who she hugged in the water after her winning save:
“We're there to work together and support each other, so throughout the game, if she's in the water and I'm on the bench, I'm backing her 100 per cent of the way, and equally, I know she's got my back. That's the great thing about this team, we've all got each other's back. It's an amazing feeling being a part of this great team.”

Bronte HALLIGAN (AUS) — Goal Scorer

On the tension of the match:
"I think the crowd is nail-biting. We have got short nails anyway, so we are probably not nail-biting. We are probably just stuck in the game."

On whether her degree in sports psychology helped her keep calm and score in the penalty shootout:
"The psychology is a part of every sport, right? Sports psych is a big one. I don't know if my degree told me anything. I just tried to hold my nerves and be with my team and stay united. That's what I really did. I'm really proud of what the girls put together today."

Bec RIPPON (AUS) — Head Coach

On the victory:
“It was a big win and we backed ourselves to do that. It’s what we’re here to do, take on the big teams, so we’re really happy with the result. The last few games we’ve played against them, there’s been a two or one-goal difference, so we know we’re right up there with them. We just wanted to stick true to what we said we would do. After a few mistakes of ours early on, we managed to tighten up on defence.”

On using her Olympic experience as a player to help at Paris 2024:
“Experience is something important to share and we’re surrounded by other staff who have been there and done that too. We talk about doing whatever it takes and sticking true to what we want to do."

On her first Olympic Games as a head coach:
“I just said to myself I’m going to enjoy it and embrace every moment. There is pressure and expectation, but that’s just the same as being a player and that’s the fun of it. We’re here and we really want to enjoy the competition.”

On her and Greece coach Alexia Anna KAMMENOU (GRE) following in the footsteps of Delaine MENTOOR (RSA), who became the first female water polo head coach at an Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020:
“It’s a big honour and not something I take lightly. I know there are young girls looking up to us and seeing that (coaching at an Olympics) is potentially a future they could take. It’s something I’ve backed myself to do and I’ve had really good support from everyone here. I wouldn’t be here without them, but it’s nice to be a role model and be able to show people what can be done.”

Sabrina VAN DER SLOOT (NED) — Captain and Two Goals

On the match:
“It was a really tough game because a lot of the things we tried to do just didn’t work out. One of our usual qualities is our shooting, but we didn’t manage to score a lot today, so that was not good. We have still qualified for the quarterfinals, so we have to now continue and learn from this defeat and move on.”

On losing despite leading 3-1 after the first period:
“We wanted to start with a real high energy level and that’s something we talked about doing before the game. We had to give it our all from the beginning, which is why we started off so well, but then we lost control in the middle of the game and they came back, so we will have to work on stopping that in the future.“

Match 10, Group A, CANADA 12 CHINA 7 (3-1, 1-2, 1-3, 2-1)

The winner of this match would probably gain a quarterfinal berth, so there was plenty riding on the outcome. Canada always thought of itself as one of the leading women’s teams in the world, especially in the 1980s-90s, and competing at the first two Olympics Games before making a comeback in 2020. A statement had to be made for the current team and a 4-0 opening quarter said much and helped deliver a 12-7 victory. In the last three quarters it was 8-7, showing what a start like that can do. For China, it was a disaster as the first three goals were on action and the fourth on penalty.

China responded to the urges of head coach Juan Jane and converted two extra-man goals in the first half of the second period, giving up a goal on extra to Axelle Crevier and then Xiang Dunhan, in her third Olympics, backhanding a goal from centre forward for 5-3 behind at the long break.

The Canadian intensity rose in the third period with goals traded for 6-4 before a three-goal heist with captain Emma Wright from the top; Hayley McKelvey from three metres off a cross pass and Marilia Mimides — with her first Olympic goal — from the deep left after an ejected player was coming into the pool. It was 9-4 at the last break. The Canadian juggernaut took the score to 10-4 at the top of the fourth quarter, Elyse Lemay-Lavoie scoring from centre forward as the goalie was moving out. China hit back through Deng Zewen with a pair of goals, one from the top on extra and the other from top left on consecutive attacks. Lemay-Lavoie scored on extra from the left-post position and it was 11-6 at 3:31. Deng found the net on penalty and Crevier gained a second with a shot from top on extra for the 12-7 margin.

Match Heroes
Deng was the highest score with three for China and goalkeeper Shen Yineng made nine saves. For Canada, Jessica Gaudreault stopped eight and Crevier, Wright, Lemay-Lavoie and Serena Browne scored twice each.

Turning Point
Winning the opening quarter and keeping China scoreless. From then on it was an 8-7 match.

Stats Don’t Lie
It was tough on extra-man plays with Canada going three from nine and China four from 11. Canada converted one of two penalty attempts, shot 32 times to 30,but only had 46 per cent of the possession.

Bottom Line
There was a time in Doha when Canada could not even think of participating in Paris, let alone win a match. This was some kind of redemption for initially missing the Games. China still needs time at the top level to improve.

What They Said
Serena BROWNE (CAN) — Two Goals

On the win and being 4-0 up after the first quarter:
“We executed our game plan. We played as a team, a unit. We wanted to go out hot, and we built off that momentum. There was a bit of a momentum change in the second (quarter, when China scored three goals), but it still felt like we were in control and we were able to complete the job.”

On scoring two goals:
“It was definitely fun, but it was a team effort. I was just the one who was able to finish the chances off. It shows how connected we are as a team. There's definitely more to come from us. We were able to show what we’ve got and we will look to build off that.”

Match 11, Group B, ITALY 3 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 10 (1-3, 1-3, 0-2, 1-2)

United States of America came out for a big win following the two-goal loss to Spain two days ago. The margin today was more consoling and the clinical manner in which it stymied Italy was most commendable. Italy was made to work hard, but performed better on defence than attack.

USA charged to 3-0 before Sofia Giustini responded on counter while heavily defended, just 24 seconds from the first break. USA then went on an extra-man attack frenzy scoring six straight with dual champion Maddie Musselman leading the way. Claudia Marletta also converted extra from the top for 4-2 down, the last Italian score until the lights went out. Jewel Roemer and Kaleigh Gilchrist, another double gold medallist, made it 6-2 by halftime.

Musselman and captain Maggie Steffens — a triple champion — both scored on extra with the latter a power shot from deep right, only sneaking into the goal on a small tidal wave. In the last six minutes, both teams called for a timeout with no more goals coming by the final break. Jenna Flynn (20) made it 9-2 on the first attack and Musselman snared another, by sliding toward goal on right-hand catch to score an action goal, the first since the opening quarter. USA’s timeout yielded no goal and with 14 seconds left on the clock, Marletta broke the Italian drought from wide left for 10-3.

Match Heroes
Musselman with a hat-trick and seven other single USA scorers. Goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson made nine saves, as did Italian goalie Caterina Banchelli. Marletta was the only double scorer for Italy.

Turning Point
The opening six minutes and then keeping Italy at bay for 20 long minutes.

Stats Don’t Lie
USA converted seven from 14 on extra and denied Italy seven from eight. That’s the only stat that matters.

Bottom Line
USA is the current world and Olympic champion. Italy isn’t.

What They Said

Maddie MUSSELMAN (USA) — Two Goals

On how USA responded to its loss against Spain in its previous game:
“To take the loss, the fire from that game, and use it as motivation to produce four consistent quarters against Italy, it's not easy to do. To be able to come out the way we did (against Italy) and sustain that through the entire game, I think is a team effort. I’m definitely proud of every single person on our team, whether they were in there for a minute or in there for the whole game. Everyone contributed today and that was awesome.”

On the team’s defensive performance:
“We talked about how we're going to have to get blocks, we're going to have to get tips, as we can't just rely on Ashleigh (Johnson) to block every single ball that comes her way. We were all in sync, we were communicating well, and it's not easy to hear in there with all those people in the crowd.

On limiting Italy to three goals:
“That's the goal. You want to hold teams to six goals, so to keep them to below six, that's even harder to do. With the way these teams play, they have so many good shooters. So, to get a team win like that and only give away three goals, that's pretty impressive.”

Adam KRIKORIAN (USA) — Head Coach

On what motivated the team against Italy:
“The loss (to Spain). It was upsetting. We have a competitive group of women who take a lot of pride in the way they play. When we reflected upon that loss, it definitely fuelled the fire. It wasn't so much losing, it was the way we lost, our inability to handle some tough moments. So, it was great to see us play with a little bit more fire defensively. Giving up 13 goals (against Spain) was a little bit of a soul crusher."

On the team’s defensive performance against Italy:
“Obviously, Ashleigh (above) was phenomenal, but it wasn't just Ashleigh. She gets a lot of credit and she deserves it. We restricted them to difficult chances. That's when we're at our best, when we're putting in the effort that's required to be the best at this level. We can take a lot of confidence from that.”

Match 12, Group B, SPAIN 10 GREECE 8 (2-2, 3-3, 4-2, 1-1)

Spain made it three wins in a row to lead the group and be well placed for the quarterfinals. With five in the group, each team needs at least one win make the cut-throat quarters. Spain is there easily. Today’s victory did not come without a battle. In fact, Greece led 2-0 and came back three times to level and then take the lead at the start of the third period. Spain was on shaky ground, but 5-1 in the next nine minutes had the Spanish women in control at 10-7 and 4:55 left on the clock.

After the first two Greek strikes, leftie Judith Forca scored twice, with the second on penalty, for 2-2 at the first break. Goals were traded in a very even second quarter with Bea Ortiz scoring twice for Spain and Nikoleta Eleftheriadou gaining a second, this time on penalty. Vasiliki Plevritou opened the third period from deep left with a skinny shot to give Greece back the lead it enjoyed in the first quarter. Paula Camus finished off two quick passes for 6-6 and Forca lobbed on extra for the 7-6 advantage. Greek skipper Margarita Plevritou equalised from the deep left. Forca lifted her fourth goal; Margarita Plevritou gained her third major foul and Elena Ruiz capitalised for 9-7 to close the third-period scoring.

Ruiz blasted from the top on extra at 4:55 for 10-7. Anni Espar gained her third major foul; Greece went to a timeout and Vasiliki Plevritou, one of three sisters in the Greek team, scored her second from the top, putting it into the bottom left for 10-8 at 2:44. Both teams had two shot attempts with no joy and Spain had survived the Greek rage.

Match Heroes
Forca managed four goals with Ortiz and Ruiz two apiece while Martina Terre made nine saves in goal. Eleftheriadou and Vasiliki Plevritou netted two each and goalkeeper Ioanna Stamatopoulou took down 11 balls for Greece.

Turning Point
The 4-2 third period and a 4-1 march into the final quarter.

Stats Don’t Lie
Spain scored three from 10 on extra and stopped 10 from 13. Both teams converted a penalty foul and Greece had two more shots than Spain and had a big possession difference at 54-46 per cent.

Bottom Line
Spain is on a roll to the final and Greece has a second loss, but much closer than the nine-goal differential against USA.

Progress Points

Group A: Netherlands 7, Australia 5, Hungary 3, Canada 3, China 0.
Group B: Spain 9, USA 6, France 3, Italy 0, Greece 0.

Day 7 Schedule

Match 13. 14:00. Group A, Australia v Canada
Match 14. 15:35. Group B, Greece Italy
Match 15. 18:30. Group B, United States of America v France
Match 16. 20:05. Group A, China v Hungary