The United States and Spain will contest the Women’s Water Polo World Cup final after coming through contrasting semifinal challenges in Sydney.
The United States silenced the home crowd with a controlled 10-6 victory over Australia, while Spain survived an exhilarating contest against Russia before prevailing 15-13 after a penalty shootout.
United States shut down Australia
The United States produced two scoreless defensive quarters to overcome the host nation and book their place in Sunday’s championship match.
Australia entered the semifinal backed by more than 2,000 home supporters, but the Americans immediately imposed themselves defensively. Two late goals gave the USA a 2-0 advantage at the end of the opening period before the Stingers responded during an entertaining second quarter.
Sienna Hearn, Bronte Halligan and Hayley Ballesty helped Australia reduce the deficit to 5-4 by half-time, keeping the home crowd firmly involved.
However, the United States regained control after the interval. Jordan Raney and Paige Hauschild extended the advantage before Jenna Flynn and Emma Lineback helped the Americans win the third period 4-2 and take a 9-6 lead into the final quarter.
Australia was then held scoreless for the second time in the match. Hauschild scored the only goal of the final eight minutes as the United States completed a composed 10-6 victory.
USA captain Amanda Longan made 10 saves and was named player of the match, while Hauschild and Jewel Roemer scored twice each. Halligan and Hearn led Australia with two goals apiece.
Spain survive Russian test
Spain secured the second place in the final following a dramatic 15-13 shootout victory over Russia.
The two sides produced a high-quality semifinal filled with attacking play and regular momentum swings. Russia continued the impressive form that had carried them past the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, but Spain repeatedly found answers.
Neither team could establish a decisive advantage during regulation, sending the contest to penalties.
Spain was flawless from the five-metre line, converting all five of its attempts. One Russian miss ultimately proved decisive, allowing Spain to secure its place in the gold-medal match against the United States.
Russia will now face Australia in the bronze-medal game.
Italy and Netherlands move into fifth-place match
Italy and the Netherlands will contest fifth place after winning Friday’s classification semifinals.
Italy survived a determined comeback from China to claim an 11-10 victory. The Italians led 8-4 at half-time and extended their advantage to five goals before China fought back to level the score at 10-10.
Sofia Giustini restored Italy’s lead with 5:13 remaining, and the European side held firm for the rest of the contest. Dafne Bettini scored three times for Italy, while Yan Siya led China with five goals.
The Netherlands required a sudden-death penalty shootout to defeat Hungary 16-15 after the teams were tied 11-11 at the end of regulation.
The Dutch led 10-7 entering the fourth period, but Hungary produced an impressive comeback. Krisztina Garda scored three times during the final quarter before Panna Tiba equalised with 11 seconds remaining.
Both teams missed once during the opening penalty rotation. Garda was then denied in sudden death, allowing Maxine Schaap to convert the winning attempt for the Netherlands.
China and Hungary will meet for seventh place on Saturday at 03:30 CEST, followed by the fifth-place match between Italy and the Netherlands at 05:15 CEST.
The medal matches will take place on Sunday, July 26. Australia face Russia for bronze at 04:45 CEST before the United States and Spain compete for the World Cup title at 08:15 CEST.
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