Sydney fans roared the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers home as they opened their 2026 World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Finals campaign in style, grinding out a 15-14 win over Italy to book their place in Friday’s semi-final.
The do-or-die format of the Water Polo World Cup Finals, saw the competition start at the quarter finals after teams already qualified through from the World Cup rounds earlier this year.
The Paris Olympic silver medal side maintained their composure throughout the match, with dual Olympian Gabi Palm proving all the difference in goals, her stand out performance earning her Player of Match.
The win will see Australia now take on the USA in the semi final, a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games semi final. The two sides have history, especially at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, where 26 years ago they met in the Olympic final where Australia won by one goal to take home the first ever Women’s Olympic Water Polo gold medal.
26 years ago Captain Bronte Halligan was a four year old attending the Olympic Games as a spectator. Tonight she led her team from in front as she also celebrated her 200th cap for Australia.
“It just felt unreal – it was so cool to step out onto the pool deck and see all our adoring fans…my family and friends. And then to have that group of girls next to me in my 200th game is really special.
“I also saw Stingers alumni in the stands who have shaped my career as well, so that was so special to have them all here and celebrate the moment with me,” she said.
Halligan, based in Italy playing in European water polo, knew the Italians would be tough, and with never more than two goals separating the two teams, she wasn’t wrong.
“Italy really gave it to us, they came back at us every time. Then we got the two goal lead, and that gave us a little bit of breathing room.
“But then they came back and scored really quickly. It was a tough game, we had to stay in it moment by moment, and just keep going and keep building. Ultimately we got the win because we stayed together and we played united,” she said.
Fellow Paris Olympic silver medallist Tilly Kearns, led the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers goal scoring efforts with four goals for her side.
“That was everything that we were hoping for and that we were expecting.
“We would’ve probably preferred for it to be a little bit more of a comfortable game but you can never expect that against Italy. So to get away in such an exciting, close game is so amazing,” she said.
Kearns said they know the USA match will be a tough one, but they have the benefit of preparing with them as part of the World Cup Finals lead in.
“We’ve been preparing against US for this tournament for the last two weeks, so we know each other inside and out.
“I think it’s going to be who can nail the basics the best for that game. I’ve played with so many of those girls, so I know them and they know me really well.
“So hopefully the home crowd advantage can help carry us over the line, but it would be really special to get another semi final win against them,” said Kearns.
USA earlier in the night opened the competition with a strong 14-8 over China.
Leading goal scorer for the USA, Emily Ausmus, delivered four goals for her team, earning Player of the Match.
“It was definitely a good win, it was rough, especially in the first couple of quarters but we found our grounding and got the nerves out which is good,” said Ausmus.
Talking about the Sydney 2000 Olympic heritage she said: “It was so cool to see the women before you that paved the path, and that got women’s water polo into the Olympics. It’s so cool that we’re in the same venue, it’s still so beautiful.
“We heard from some of the players last night, and that was so amazing. Just taking us back, and learning our history.”
In other matches, Spain defeated Hungary 8-7 with Russia defeating Netherlands 11-6.
Competition continues tomorrow at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre from 3:30pm, with the Ord Minnett Aussie Sharks set to take on Spain at 6:30pm.
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Find out more about the 2026 World Aquatics World Cup Finals – click here
Women’s Semi Finals & Playoffs – Friday 24 July
11:30am AEST | Women’s 5-8th Playoff | China v Italy
1:15pm AEST | Women’s 5-8th Playoff | Netherlands v Hungary
6:30pm AEST | Women’s Semi Final 1 | Australia v United States of America
8:15pm AEST | Women’s Semi Final 2 | Russia v Spain
