- Australia has reached the women’s water polo final
- Stingers pulled off a big upset by beating Team USA
- They held their nerve in a dramatic shootout
Against all odds, the Australian Stingers dethroned the three-time reigning women’s water polo champions, the United States, in a dramatic penalty shootout to qualify for the Olympic gold medal match in Paris.
Captain Zoe Arancini’s team turned the tide against the world champions, who had outclassed them in a three-game series in April, with a historic, thrilling 14-13 shootout victory at La Defense Arena on Thursday.
The famous victory makes them the first Australian women’s team to reach the final since the 2000 crop won the inaugural event in Sydney.
And they are assured of their first medal since winning bronze in 2012.
In the final they will face Spain, who defeated the Netherlands 19-18. This team also won the penalty shootout, while both teams were tied 14-14 in regular time.
The Australians won after the teams were tied 8-8 in regulation time. Their hero turned out to be goalkeeper Gabriella Palm, who made the crucial save in Maddie Musselman’s shoot-out when the Australians were up 6-5 and in the sudden-death period.
It led to emotional and tearful scenes as the Stingers exuberantly celebrated their victory in a packed arena with 15,000 spectators.
More to follow.
The Stingers caused a huge shock by beating the United States
The Australians won a dramatic penalty shootout to qualify for the gold medal