Wpo: Girls come up with bronze while men miss out again

AAP General News (Australia)
08-24-2008
Wpo: Girls come up with bronze while men miss out again

By Tom Wald

BEIJING, Aug 24 AAP - Regrets, Australia's water polo teams might have a few.

The women did a brilliant job to recover from their 9-8 semi-final loss to the US and
pip Hungary for the bronze medal in an epic play-off for third.

But the sight of The Netherlands, who the Stingers beat in the group stages, winning
the gold medal won't sit well with them.

The Australian women only lost one match all tournament and leave Beijing knowing they
were as good as any side at the Yingdong Natatorium.

But unlike in Athens where they lost the third-placed play-off, at least this time
the Stingers return home with a medal.

"We came here with high expectations and it is just great to walk away with a bronze
medal," said head coach Greg McFadden.

"It only happens every four years and not many people even get to compete at an Olympics
let alone win a medal, all the girls are just champions.

"I am just so proud of them."

The side's future looks positive with Nikita Cuffe the only retiree.

For the men, it is another case of what could have been.

The Sharks played inspired water polo at times and almost pulled off one of the great
comebacks against Hungary.

Trailing 11-6 in the third quarter, they stormed back only to lose the group match 13-12.

The Sharks also lost 9-8 to Spain before being bundled out of medal contention courtesy
of a tense 5-5 draw with Montenegro.

At the end of the day, it was a case of missed opportunities and the men must continue
their quest for their first Olympic medal in London in 2012.

"The water polo gods are not smiling on us obviously," said shattered head coach John Fox.

AAP tdw/nh/jmt/tb

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