Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers
The Australian Women’s water polo team, also known as the ‘Aussie Stingers’ is the senior representative team. With a proud record on the international stage, the Aussie Stingers contest international tests around the world including the FINA World Championships, FINA Super League, FINA World Cup and other tournaments. The major focus for the Aussie Stingers is the Olympic Games, held every four years. Since women’s water polo was introduced into the the Olympic Games at Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, where Australia won gold medal, the Aussie Stingers have gone on to win two more medals at the Olympics. HistoryThe Aussie Stingers have a strong international reputation as one of the leading women’s water polo teams in the world, with the success pre-dating the admission of the women’s game into the Olympic Games. The Aussie Stingers team took out the 1984 World Cup in Los Angeles, USA, and the inaugural World Championship in Madrid, Spain, in 1986. In 1995, the team again reached the pinnacle by claiming the World Cup in Sydney, Australia, defeating five-time champion the Netherlands in the gold-medal final. Late in 1997 the breakthrough for the women’s game with the ladies competition to be included in the 2000 Olympic Games program. In the 14 months following the 1998 World Championships, the women won the four international tournaments they contested in the Netherlands, Italy, the United States and Hungary. At the Sydney Olympic Games, Australia lost only one game, to the Netherlands, on the road to securing the historic inaugural Olympic Games gold medal. That win galvanised the nation in the way in which it was won. Yvette Higgins slamming in a nine-metre shot from a free throw with only 1.3 seconds left on the clock. In fact, the ball crossed the goal-line .2s from the final hooter. Captain Bridgette Gusterson was the equal highest goal scorer. It was another bronze medal at the 2008 FINA World League Super Finals in Tenerife, Spain before going into the Beijing Olympics as a strong medal favourite. The team did not disappoint in a tight competition, facing and losing by a goal to the USA in the semifinals and then beating Hungary for bronze in a penalty shootout. Australia earlier drew with Hungary and only finished second in its group meaning the expected final clash with the USA came in the semifinals with the USA winning by a goal. The Aussie Stingers also won Olympic bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games after enduring yet another nail-biting struggle to defeat Hungary 13-11 in extra time. After delivering heartbreak to Hungary in the last two Olympics the tables were turned at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Australia led 5-1 in the first half and then 8-6 with only minutes left, but they let Hungary draw level, opening a door for the Hungarians to win and progress. After losing only one game in the pool stages at the Tokyo Olympics, the Aussie Stingers fell short against Russia in the quarterfinals, finishing 5th overall. It was a fairytale for the Aussie Stingers at the Paris Olympic Games, who made their way through the pool stages undefeated. Meeting Greece in the quarterfinals, the Aussie Stingers were on fire, outscoring their opponents 9-6 to progress to the semi finals. Standing in between the Aussies and the gold medal game were three-time Olympic gold medalists USA. But the Aussies didn't let that dent their confidence, upsetting the defending champions in a penalty shoot out. In the gold medal match, Spain claimed the win, our Aussie Stingers recording their best Olympic result since Sydney 2000, winning silver. |
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