After placing third in the group stage, the Aussie Sharks are preparing to take on the current World Champions Croatia later tonight in the FINA World Cup Quarter Finals.

The Australians come into tonight’s game with impressive form throughout the preliminary rounds and while they fought hard to finish second in their pool with a win over Germany by at least two goals to place second.

But their one goal victory over Germany combined with their draw against Hungary in game two meant it would be a quarter finals showdown with Croatia.

The Croatian team placed second in their pool after a draw with Serbia in their last pool match and a count back saw them finish behind the Serbians.

The Croats are a formidable opponent and on top of being reigning World Champions they also boast a silver medal from the 2016 Olympic Games and recently won bronze at the European Championships in July.

Match Details

In Berlin, Germany the match will be played 14 September at 5:30pm local time (15 September, 1:30am AEST).

Catch all the action live on www.finatv.live or follow @WaterpoloAus on twitter.

Road to the Quarter Finals

AUSTRALIA

• GAME 1: Australia – Japan 14-6
• GAME 2: Australia – Hungary 8-9
• GAME 3: Australia – Germany 10-9

CROATIA

• GAME 1: Croatia – USA 15-10
• GAME 2: Croatia – South Africa 25-2
• GAME 3: Croatia – Serbia 10-10

Game 3 | Australia vs Germany

The Aussie Sharks will take on hosts Germany in the final game of the pool stages for the FINA World Cup, tomorrow morning in Berlin.

Germany come into the match undefeated with solid wins over both Hungary and Japan and will be aiming for a top of the table finish ahead of the quarter finals.

The Aussie Sharks on have secured one win against Japan and a loss to Hungary. Game 1 & 2 results - click here.  

After falling agonisingly short to the Hungarians (8-9 the final score), the Aussie Sharks will be looking to bounce back and finish the preliminary rounds strong.

Australian Team Captain Aaron Younger said the training camp his side had with the Germans leading into the World Cup has provided them with a good understanding of what to expect from the opposition.

“We had a week of training against the Germans so there shouldn’t be too many surprises,” said Younger.

“The Germans are a strong physical team so hopefully the reduced bench and compact tournament schedule should work in our favour.

“Although we haven’t met Germany often, we are still well aware of their players and playing style.

“During the World Cup we really have looked to take the tournament game by game with a focus on consistency and playing our style,” he said.

Germany have been well supported throughout the FINA World Cup, with a vocal and supportive home crowd spurring them on.

Younger said the Aussie Sharks won't be intimidated by the local support and in fact welcome the chance to play them on their home turf.

“It is always a great opportunity to play our sport in-front of a big crowd, regardless of who they are cheering for.

“I think most the boys have been in similar situations in recent years, so everyone is looking forward to the challenge and chance to play in-front of a packed house,” he said.

The Aussie Sharks will take on Germany on Friday 14 September at 4:30am AEST.

Catch all the action live on www.finatv.live or follow @WaterpoloAus on twitter.

Game 2 I Australia vs Hungary 

On the back of a dominant win against Japan, the Aussie Sharks will look to carry that momentum into their second FINA World Cup clash against Hungary tonight.

The Hungarians come into the tournament recently finishing eight at the LEN European.

The last two times these sides met at the FINA World League Finals and the 2017 World Championships it has been Hungary who’s walked away with the win.

Both sides are familiar with their style of play and the Aussie Sharks will be eager for redemption against the Hungarians.

The Australian side delivered a controlled first game against the Japanese in the opening match of the World Cup and will be looking to put together four consistent quarters once more.

Back in the Aussie Sharks line up is triple Olympian Rhys Howden, who is playing in his first major tournament since the Rio Olympics, acknowledging the Hungary match up will be a big game.

“Hungary are traditionally a power house in water polo. They have a lot of depth and are one of those sides you can always expect to be very good.

“I think they have been doing some rebuilding with their playing group. But you can just never underestimate what they’ll bring,” he said.

Howden, who captained the Aussies Sharks in Rio, took time off post the Olympics to work on his career and consider his playing future.

Upon deciding to make another Olympic Games tilt, Howden’s 2020 campaign was sidelined earlier this year after injuring his thumb during the OVO Australian Waterpolo League.

“I’m a bit nervous about the World Cup to be honest… the most nervous I’ve been for most of my career.

“I didn’t play much polo other than national league since the Rio Olympics and I don’t have much game play leading into this tour.

“The rest I had was really good for me. It opened my eyes to the other side of water polo (coaching) and the world outside of polo,” he said.

The FINA World Cup also has also seen the return of Olympic goal keeper Joel Dennerley and back with the squad full time is Olympian Richie Campbell – both who took some time off post Rio.

“It is good to come into fresh of the team and good to see Richie and Joel come back as well.

“AJ (Roach), (Aaron) Younger and Joe (Kayes) are all still there from the last Olympic and have formed that core from the last cycle.

“But with some of the new players in the squad, it’s really refreshing.

“This World Cup provides a really good opportunity for the Aussie Sharks. At the World Championships we had younger side, but now some of those younger guys have that big tournament experience behind them.

“We are getting closer 2020 so all the opportunities we have to play together as a team is a bonus. For us, we want to play consistent water polo,” he said.

The Aussie Sharks play Hungary at midnight. Check out the Aussie Sharks squad to take on the World Cup - click here.

Catch all the action live on www.finatv.live or follow @WaterpoloAus on twitter. 

SCHEDULE

Game 1 I Aussie Sharks face Japan in FINA World Cup opener 

The Aussie Sharks will face a well known opponent in Japan when the 2018 FINA Men’s World Cup kicks off tonight in Berlin, Germany.

The six-day tournament will feature eight nations including Croatia, Serbia, USA, South Africa, Hungary, Japan and hosts Germany.

Aussie Sharks veteran Blake Edwards, said the team is well prepared for the World Cup.

“We are optimistic about our chances at the World Cup. If we can finish in top four in the pool stages then anything can happen.  

“For us we need to play solid defence and stick to our systems. Our biggest strength is our speed, work ethic and fitness, so we need to play to that,” he said.

As part of the World Cup campaign build up, the Aussie Sharks recently spent a week training in Japan alongside the Japanese team.

“We know Japan quite well and we’re familiar with their unique style of water polo,” said Edwards. 

“They can be quite difficult opposition, so we will need to play a smart game and make sure we control the game from the start.”  

Edwards will have the privilege of once again playing alongside his younger brother Lachlan. They won’t be the only family duo part of the team, with the Ford bothers Andrew and George also pulling on the green and gold at the World Cup. 

While the Aussie Sharks have many well known brothers featured in the line up over the years, this will be only the second time that two brothers have played in the same team. Not since 1978 when Andrew and Peter Kerr as well as Charles and Michael Turner have two sets of brothers started for the Aussie Sharks. 

Post the World Cup, Blake will be returning to Australia after spending a few years in the USA at the University of Southern California. 

But this time he’ll be setting up shop in Sydney, recently signing with the Drummoyne Devils for the 2019 OVO Australian Water Polo League.

“I really enjoyed my time over there but I’m stoked to be back and part of the Aussie Sharks team. 

“As a young kid playing in Victoria, I admired Drummoyne for being a family style of club. I’m excited to be playing in a team with fellow Sharks boys past and present including AJ Roach, Tyler Martin and Mitch Emmery. 

“I think we (Drummoyne) will be real contenders in 2019, with a good team and a new coach joining us,” he said.

But first Edwards is focused on the job at hand and that is for the Aussie Sharks to deliver strong results at the 2018 FINA World Cup.

Check out the Aussie Sharks squad to take on the World Cup - click here.

Catch all the action live on www.finatv.live or follow @WaterpoloAus on twitter. 

THE TOURNAMENT

Date: 11-16 September 2018
Location: Berlin, Germany
Venue: Universitetskaya Str.Surgut

SCHEDULE