Australia will face defending champions Spain in the final of the 2026 World Aquatics Women’s U18 Water Polo Championships after both nations came through Saturday’s semifinals in Puerto de la Cruz.
The Australians produced a remarkable late turnaround to defeat the United States 14-10, while hosts Spain continued their title defence with a controlled 13-10 victory over Hungary. The results mean USA and Hungary will meet for bronze before Australia and Spain contest the world title on Sunday.
Australia’s victory was built around an outstanding final quarter.
The two sides were locked at 8-8 heading into the fourth before the United States scored twice to move 10-8 ahead with just over five minutes remaining. Australia then completely transformed the contest, scoring six unanswered goals to close the game.
Bless Daly was again at the centre of Australia’s performance. She finished with six goals, taking her tournament total to an extraordinary 40 in six matches. Daly scored three times during Australia’s decisive final-quarter run, including the final goal into an empty net.
The 14-10 victory sends Australia into a Women’s U18 World Championship final for the first time, improving on their previous best finish of fourth place in 2018.
Spain’s route to the final was considerably more controlled.
The hosts established an early advantage against Hungary, leading 3-1 after the opening quarter and 6-2 by half-time. That advantage reached 9-4 during the third period before Hungary fought back to reduce the deficit to three.
Hungary continued to compete throughout the final quarter, but Spain always maintained enough separation to close out a 13-10 win in front of the home crowd.
Martina Fernandez scored three times for Spain, while Sara Keszthelyi and Adrienn Hetzl both finished with hat-tricks for Hungary. Spain converted five of their eight extra-player opportunities and shot at 44.8 percent overall.
Spain now have the opportunity to retain the U18 world title, while Australia will attempt to complete what is already a historic tournament with their first gold medal at this level.
Before the championship match, the United States and Hungary will battle for bronze following their semifinal defeats.
Results
Australia 14-10 United States (2-1, 3-4, 3-3, 6-2)
Spain 13-10 Hungary (3-1, 3-1, 3-2, 4-4)
Medal games – Sunday
19:00 CEST – United States vs Hungary – Bronze medal
20:30 CEST – Australia vs Spain – Gold medal
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