The Australian men’s water polo team has bounced back to topple Greece 9-8 at the FINA World Championships. 

It was redemption for the Aussie Sharks who were unlucky to go down to Hungary in the quarter final two days earlier. 

Rio Olympian Joe Kayes produced an impressive three goals in his 100th outing for Australia. 

He admitted the team had to work hard to come back from the disappointment of quarter final loss after a controversial refereeing call in the dying seconds of the game didn’t go their way.

“It took a lot of effort and mental preparation for our boys to get over the other day. It wasn’t the tidiest of wins but we’re stoked,” said Kayes.

“It was more trying to get over the frustrations of the other day and really focus on this game, because everyone knows Greece is pretty good. 

“They (Greece) also copped a pretty hard loss the other day… it was about who wanted most and our boys did pretty good today,” he said.

The win will see the Aussie Sharks meet Serbia on Saturday for the 5-6th playoff, a match that Kayes said won’t be any easier.

“All these last playoff games are about who wants it the most, hopefully we can get a good rest and come back against them as well,” he said.

While both teams were coming off tough quarter final losses they both came out determined, but it was the Australians that managed to take an early 3-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

Greece didn’t let the Aussie Sharks get too far away and managed to outscore them in the second period to lock up the scores 5-5 at half time. 

Coming out of the half time break both sides were matching the intensity, notching up three goals a piece to keep the score tied up 8-8 leading into the final quarter.

Triple Olympian Richie Campbell delivered the final blow for Greece getting the only goal on the board in the final quarter, with the Aussie Sharks well known defensive efforts keeping Greece scoreless. 

The Aussie Sharks will now meet Serbia on Saturday at 4:30pm AEST for the 5-6 playoff. 

AUSTRALIA 9 GREECE 8

Classification 5-8 Semifinal

Quarters: 3-2, 2-3, 3-3, 1-0

AUSTRALIA: Joel Dennerley, Richard Campbell (2), George Ford, Joseph Kayes (3), Nathan Power, Lachlan Edwards, Aidan Roach, Aaron Younger (2), Andrew Ford (1), Timothy Putt, Rhys Howden, Blake Edwards (1), Anthony Hrysanthos. Coach: Elvis Fatovic.

QUARTER FINAL I AUS V HUN 

The Australian men’s water polo team has suffered a narrow 9-10 loss to Hungary in the quarter final of the FINA World Championships.

The match came down to the final four seconds where both teams were evenly matched and either team could gain the win and a semi final spot. 

But luck did not go the way of the Aussie Sharks who were denied a penalty attempt in the last 10 seconds when Joe Kayes drove to within a metre of the goal-face and was impeded under the new rules. 

However, the referee decided it was not a penalty; Hungary called a timeout in the mayhem that followed to push a goal past Joel Dennerley for victory at four seconds. 

The Hungarians were able to get the redemption they were looking for after the Aussie Sharks defeated them last month in the quarter final of the FINA World League Super Final, and went on to claim the bronze medal. 

Australian Head Coach Elvis Fatovic couldn’t hide the disappointment his side felt with the non-call of the penalty on Kayes in the final minute of the match. But he was pleased with how the Aussies played as a team. 

“We still made mistakes in a game like this. It was a team effort and the game was so close. We began so well and then they started to score. They have great shooters,” said Fatovic. 

Dual Olympian Joel Dennerley once again delivered a strong performance in goals. 

“It was a tough game and we are very disappointed to finish like that. We went all the way to the end of the game, we had our opportunities and played strong in attack. We will have to review what happened,” said Dennerley.

There was nothing between the two sides from the outset with the scores locked 3-3 at the end of the first quarter.  

The Aussie Sharks look to be on the rise and built momentum in the second quarter to keep Hungary at only two goals while putting another three on the board to continue their lead 6-5 at the end of the break. 

But the Hungarians were fierce in the third period and managed to claw their way back to overtake the Aussies and take a one-point lead, 7-8 heading into the final quarter. 

Hungary opened the scoring in the last quarter to push the score to 7-9. But a nice goal for AJ Roach for his second in the match took the Sharks within a goal 8-9.  Building on the momentum, Kayes scored in extra-man to lock the score 9-9 with one minute to go. 

After the penalty was disallowed to Kayes, Hungary called a time out with seven seconds left on the clock, coming out of the break firing a shot that got past Dennerley to secure the win.

While the result will see the Aussie Sharks miss the semi final, all signs for Tokyo 2020 once again look strong for the Australians delivering strong performances across the tournament. 

HUNGARY 10 AUSTRALIA 9

Quarters: 3-3, 2-3, 3-1, 2-2

AUSTRALIA: Joel Dennerley, Richard Campbell, George Ford (1), Joseph Kayes (2), Nathan Power (2), Lachlan Edwards (2), Aidan Roach (2), Aaron Younger, Andrew Ford, Timothy Putt, Rhys Howden, Blake Edwards, Anthony Hrysanthos. Coach: Elvis Fatovic.

Game 4: Australia vs Montenegro 

The Aussie Sharks have booked a spot in the quarter finals of the FINA World Championships after taking a thrilling penalty shoot out win over Montenegro, 13-11.

At the end of regular time the scores were locked 9-9 sending the match into a penalty shoot out. The Aussie Sharks have experienced a lot of success in recent tournaments in the penalty shoot outs and showed great composure under pressure from both the shooters and goal keeper Joel Dennerley. 

Australia missed one attempt and Montenegro two and as Australia shot first, there was no need for the final Montenegro attempt. 

The goalkeepers made the blocks and were kept busy throughout the match in what was a powerful encounter with many twists and turns. 

The Aussie Sharks — World Cup silver medallist last year and World League bronze medallist this year — took the lead at the end of the first quarter to lead 3-1. 

Montenegro outscored the Aussies in the second quarter but the Sharks managed to hold on to their one-point lead at half time 5-4.

It was in the third quarter Montenegro made their move to take the lead for the first time in the game, at the end of the third 7-8.

The Aussie Sharks were first to get on the board in the fourth quarter thanks to a Rhys Howden goal which ti3ed up the scores 8-8.  With just on four minutes left in the game Joe Kayes, with his fourth goal for the game, put the Aussie Sharks back in the lead. But Montenegro responded to again lock the score 9-9 and while both teams has their opportunities to take the win, the game was sent into a penalty shootout. 

Australia shot first and both opening shots scored; both second shots were blocked; both third shots succeeded. Younger converted the third Australian shot and Mladan Janovic (MNE) was blocked. Rhys Howden stepped up and scored for the victory and a 4-2 shootout. 

MONTENEGRO 11 AUSTRALIA 13 in penalty shootout (FT: 9-9. Pens: 4-2)

Quarters: 1-3, 3-2, 4-2, 1-2

Extra man: MNE: 4/7. AUS: 4/9.

AUSTRALIA: Joel Dennerley, Richard Campbell, George Ford, Joseph Kayes (4+1), Nathan Power, Lachlan Edwards, Aidan Roach (1+1), Aaron Younger (1+1), Andrew Ford (1), Timothy Putt, Rhys Howden (1+1), Blake Edwards (1), Anthony Hrysanthos. Coach: Elvis Fatovic.

Game 3 I Australia vs USA 

The Aussie Sharks have suffered a narrow one point defeat to USA in game three of the FINA World Championships, going down 11-12.

It was a close contest from the outset for these two familiar opponents, with the both teams battling for a second place finish in the group.  While the result didn’t go the Aussie Sharks way, they will progress through to the cross over match on Sunday where they’ll meet Montenegro.

There was nothing between the two sides, with dual Olympian Aidan Roach admitting it was a tough encounter.  

“It was a pretty tough, pretty hard game the Americans play. We didn’t score some opportunities we had, and then they scored some good outside shots. That was the result of the game in the end,” said Roach.

One of the Aussie Sharks familiar with the USA players having played for USA college, Lachlan Edwards said the Sharks showed fight. 

“The effort was there. Credit to USA with their big shots. We were 4-1 down and we were chasing all game. It could have gone either way, but it went theirs. We have to look to the next game now,” said Edwards. 

It was the USA that came out firing, setting up a 4-1 start early in the first period. But the Aussie Sharks clawed their way back into the match to only trail by one at the end of the first quarter 3-4. 

The one point lead would prove the difference, with scores locked at half time and end of the third quarter. Both teams score equal number of goals for the remaining three quarters. 

The Sharks had an open opportunity in the last 10 seconds, but Andrew Ford’s shot went wide. Dennerley in goals was strong, amassing an incredible 18 saves. 

The Aussie Sharks now will paly Montenegro Sunday 21 July at 3pm AEST – watch live on www.finatv.live 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 12 AUSTRALIA 11

Quarters: 4-3, 3-3, 2-2, 3-3

AUSTRALIA: Joel Dennerley, Richard Campbell (1), George Ford, Joseph Kayes (2), Nathan Power, Lachlan Edwards (2), Aidan Roach (2), Aaron Younger (2), Andrew Ford (1), Timothy Putt, Rhys Howden (1), Blake Edwards, Anthony Hrysanthos. Coach: Elvis Fatovic.

Game 3 - Australia vs Kazakhstan 

The Australian Men’s Water Polo team have come out firing in the the second game of the FINA World Championships to deliver a convincing 17-8 win over Kazakhstan.

From the outset the Aussie Sharks looked unstoppable, setting up a nice 4-1 lead at the end of the first period.

Playing an Aussie Sharks brand of water polo they known for, the Sharks delivered a strong game in both their attack and defence, stretching their lead to 9-2 at half time.

While the let Kazakhstan claw their way back in the third period, the Sharks kicked into gear before the end of the period to lead 14-6 into the final quarter.

A big turn around from their first matched the Aussie Sharks delivered a complete match, powering home to take the 17-8 win.

Triple Olympian Rhys Howden, delivered four goals for the Aussie Sharks in the game, admitting the team had really lifted from their first match.

"I think for our first game we were a little bit flat…you can't go into a tournament like that. However, we have put that behind us.

"We were going for consistency today. There were a few lapses in the third quarter that let us down. You can't afford to do that against the better teams.

“We were happy we bounced back. It gives us a lot of impetus for the match with USA,” said Howden.

The Aussie Sharks will now face USA on Friday 19 July at 8:10pm AEST“ watch live www.finatv.live

AUSTRALIA 17 KAZAKHSTAN 8

Quarters: 4-1, 5-1, 3-4, 5-2

Extra man: AUS: 10/14. KAZ: 5/8.

Penalties: AUS: 1/1.

AUSTRALIA: Joel Dennerley, Richard Campbell (1), George Ford, Joseph Kayes (3), Nathan Power (3), Lachlan Edwards, Aidan Roach (2), Aaron Younger (2), Andrew Ford, Timothy Putt, Rhys Howden (4), Blake Edwards (2), Anthony Hrysanthos. Coach: Elvis Fatovic

GAME 1

The Aussie Sharks didn’t have the start to the FINA World Championships they were hoping after going down to reigning World Champions Croatia 4-14 in a fast paced opening match.

The defending world champions were unstoppable from the outset, delivering a strong performance in both their attack and defensive efforts.

Dual Olympian and Aussie Sharks Captain, Aaron Younger, said there was no taking away from the disappointment in the loss, but the team won’t be dwelling on it as they prepare for a long tournament ahead.

"It's a very disappointing start to the tournament. It was a not a big thing to win this game as we are mainly concentrating on the crossovers. However, we will be prepared for the next games,” said Younger.

Aussie Sharks Head Coach Elvis Fatovic said he wasn’t happy with his team’s performance today and said it’s clear what they’ll need to work on from here.

“Sometimes the first game is a bit different from the rest of the tournament,” said Fatovic.

“We knew it would be a tough game, at the moment they (Croatia) are the strongest team in the world and probably the biggest candidate for the gold medal.

“Usually our strength is our defence but today we didn’t provide that, so we know what need to improve in order to have a better result,” he said.

Croatia delivered another clinical water polo match and were dominate from the first whistle. Aussie Sharks enforcer Joe Kayes opened the scoring for the match to put the Australians up 1-0 early in the first period. But the Croatians didn’t hold back and were quick to reply, taking 4-1 lead at the first break.

The second quarter saw Aussie Sharks captain Aaron Younger take a nice shot from up top to put the score 2-6 at half time. Croatia’s strong defensive efforts kept the Aussies scoreless during the third period allowing them to stretch their lead to 2-10 at the end of the period.

In the fourth quarter nice goals from Younger and Lachlan Edwards weren’t enough to stop the Croatians who finished out the game with 14-4 win.

Next for the Aussie Sharks they will face well known opponent Kazakhstan on Wednesday 17 July at 9:30am AEST. Watch all matches live www.finatv.live

AUSTRALIA 4 CROATIA 14

Quarters: 1-4, 1-2, 0-4, 2-4

AUSTRALIA: Joel Dennerley, Richard Campbell, George Ford, Joseph Kayes, Nathan Power (1), Lachlan Edwards (1), Aidan Roach, Aaron Younger (2), Andrew Ford, Timothy Putt, Rhys Howden, Blake Edwards, Anthony Hrysanthos. Coach: Elvis Fatovic.