Aussies Abroad

As multiple overseas water polo competitions approach the pointy end, victory has become vital as top spots on the ladder are up for grabs.

Take a look at how our Aussie Sharks, Aussie Stingers and next generation players are tracking in their respective competitions around the globe.

AUSSIE SHARKS

HUNGARIAN MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE (MALE OB I)

Ferencvárosi Torna Club (FTC) continue their impressive run in the Hungarian League, remaining in first place after their 13th consecutive win with a 13-4 thrashing of Miskolc last weekend.

Aussie Sharks captain Aaron Younger has been a crucial member of the undefeated squad, which will take on Crvena Zvezda in the LEN Champions League next Thursday.

LAST RESULT: FTC 13 – Miskolc 4
NEXT FIXTURE: 24 February – Eger v FTC

CROATIAN MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE (PRVA LIGA)

Jadran Split and Nathan Power suffered a narrow 12-14 defeat against HAVK Mladost on the weekend and their fifth loss of the season, demoting them to fourth place on the Prva Liga ladder.

Redemption is only days away, as they face Olympiacos during the LEN Champions League next Tuesday in a must-win encounter.

LAST RESULT: HAVK Mladost 14 – Jadran Split 12
NEXT FIXTURE: 23 February – Jadran Split v PVK Jadran Carine HN

Fellow Aussie, Tim Putt featured in a nail-biting affair last weekend as Primorje drew 10-10 with rivals Radnički.

With eight victories this season, Primorje sit comfortably at fourth on the ladder, meaning their upcoming away fixture against Nais is critical.

LAST RESULT: Radnički 10 – Primorje 10
NEXT FIXTURE: 23 February – Primorje v Nais

SPANISH MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE (LIGA PREMAAT)

There was heartbreak for George Ford and his Quadis CN Mataro squad last weekend, narrowly losing their match against CN Terrassa 5-6.

The disappointing defeat means they slip to fifth on the Liga Premaat ladder with a win against Echeyde Pequeño Valiente essential heading into the final rounds of the competition.

LAST RESULT: CN Terrassa 6 – Quadis CN Mataro 5
NEXT FIXTURE: 23 February – Quadis CN Mataro v Echeyde Pequeño Valiente

GREEK MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE (A1 ETHNIKI)

Anthony Hyrsanthos is competing with Vouliagmeni in the Greek National League and enjoyed a gritty 7-5 victory against Glyfada.

After their twelfth win of the season, Vouliagmeni are sitting in second place on the ladder.

LAST RESULT: Glyfada 5 – Vouliagmeni 7
NEXT FIXTURE: 24 February – Vouliagmeni v Palaio Faliro

ITALIAN MEN’S A1 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Joe Kayes has relished a near-perfect season in Italy with ladder leaders Pro Recco, the powerful squad winning 17 of their 18 matches so far this season.

Pro Recco will also confront Eger in the LEN Champions League next Thursday.

LAST RESULT: Sport Management 8 – Pro Recco 12
NEXT FIXTURE: 24 February – Pro Recco v Trieste

ITALIAN MEN’S A2 CHAMPIONSHIPS

RN Sori came close to a much-needed triumph against Concera Stadium on the weekend, the final result 6-6 highlighting the competitive nature of the bout.

Despite the best efforts of Aussie Nick Elphic – who scored a double in the match – RN Sori remain at 12th on the ladder after securing only one victory from ten games.

LAST RESULT: RN Sori 6 – Concera Stadium 6
NEXT FIXTURE: 23 February – Spazio RN Camogli v RN Sori

SERBIAN MEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE (A2 LIGA)

Damien Williams is representing ValjevonGorenje in Serbia’s National Division Two League. After their tough 7-9 loss to Zadar 1952, Valjevo Gorenje have slipped to fifth on the ladder and will be desperate for a chance at redemption this weekend against MedvešÄak.

LAST RESULT: Valjevo Gorenje 7 – Zadar 1952 9
NEXT FIXTURE: 23 February – MedvešÄak v Valjevo Gorenje

AUSSIE STINGERS

ITALIAN WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE (CAMPIONATO SERIE A1)

Despite clocking nine wins from their last 13 matches, Plebiscito Padova and Elle Armit still sit at fourth on the Campionato Serie A1 ladder.

However, Plebiscito Padova will face UVSE in the first leg of a quarter-final Euro League matchup on Sunday.

LAST RESULT: Plebiscito Padova 10 – Florentia 5
UPCOMING  FIXTURE: 3 March – Ekipe Orizzonte v Plebiscito Padova

Meanwhile, fellow Aussie Jessica Zimmerman is enjoying a successful campaign with Rapallo PN, who sit second on the ladder with only a few rounds remaining.

Impressively, Rapallo PN have only lost two games this season, their 20-7 victory over Velletri on the weekend contributing to that impeccable record.

LAST RESULT: Velletri 7 – Rapallo 10
NEXT FIXTURE: 21 February – Rapallo v Roma

GREEK WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE (A1)

Australian duo Hannah Buckling and Keesja Gofers are currently competing for Olympiacos Piraeus in the Greek National League, with their next fixture not scheduled for a couple of weeks.

However, there is no resting period for the Greek squad, as their quarter-final against Sant Andreu in the Euro League is taking place this Sunday.

UPCOMING FIXTURE: 2 March – Olympiacos Piraeus v Ano Glyfadas

Morgan Baxter is also in Greece, representing Ethnikos National Piraeus in the Women’s National League – the team’s next fixture is against Vouliagmenis on 2 March .

AMERICAN COLLEGE (NCAA)

A large contingent of Australian's will be participating in NCAA matches throughout the United States this weekend.

Madeleine Steere, Abby Andrews and Sofie Pontre from Michigan along with Bronte Halligan from UCLA will both be competing in the Barbara Kalbus Invitational at Irvine, collectively participating in six matches over three days. Look out for their potential head-to-head clash on Saturday.

Andrews is in red-hot form for Michigan, scoring a hat-trick in their recent fixture against UC Irvine.

NEXT FIXTURE FOR MICHIGAN: 22 February – Michigan v LMU
NEXT FIXTURE FOR UCLA: 23 February – LBSU v UCLA

Australian Junior Carla Traplin and her California Bears Women's Water Polo teammates accounted for UC Davis and now turn their attention to UC San Diego.

LAST RESULT: California Bears 11 - UC Davis 6
NEXT FIXTURE: 22 February - UC San Diego v California Bears

Another national junior, Matilda Kearns, is experiencing plenty of success with USC.

LAST RESULT: USC 19 - Indiana 1
NEXT FIXTURE: 22 February - USC vs San Diego State

HUNGARIAN WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE (OB I)

Aussie Lena Mihailovic continues her successful stint with Ferencvrosi in the Hungarian National League, scoring a critical goal in their 8-8 draw against BVSC Zuglo on the weekend.

Ferencvrosi are currently placed fourth on the OB I ladder, but have the potential to go higher if they emerge victorious from their last handful of matches.

LAST RESULT: Ferencvrosi 8 – BVSC Zuglo 8
NEXT FIXTURE: March 2 nd – Dunaujvaros v Ferencvrosi