The Aussie Sharks have had their Olympic medal hopes dashed after falling to the USA in the Men’s Water Polo quarter-final in a heartbreaking shootout, 11 (7) - 10 (7).
The Aussies took just one minute 34 seconds to get the first goal of the game, after a turn over from the USA. A stunning shot from Luke Pavillard found the back of the goal. However, the Americans were quick to respond, levelling the match 1-1.
This back and forth would be the story of the match, the Aussies fighting with everything they had to keep the Americans at bay.
A rough play resulted in a red card given to American Johnny Hooper gave Australia a one-man advantage in the pool for five minutes, and the Sharks were quick to take the lead and went into the first break 3-1.
Despite the USA sneaking a goal past Aussie keeper Nic Porter, the team was once again quick to attack, getting another goal on the board to take the lead to 5-2.
USA were persistent in their pursuit to close the gap to the Sharks, clawing back the lead throughout the match, with Luke leading the scoring for Australia with four, followed by teammate Milos Maksimovic with two and Jacob Mercep with one.
“We can hold our heads up high,” captain Blake Edwards said.
“In any sport, momentum swings and unfortunately, we weren't able to control that in the third quarter and let them back into the game. A couple of missed blocks, coming over your legs, that's a bit of fatigue, a bit of nerves.
“That's a learning curve and experience. We'll take that experience next time. The boys will be licking their wounds, but at the end of the day, we've got to refocus.
“We can be proud of the effort that we put up today. Fifth place sounds a lot better than eighth. So we need to put this match aside, take the learnings that we can for that, and refocus on the game.” Blake said.
The match kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, the scores tied up at the end of play 7-7.
But it wasn’t meant to be for the Sharks, the shootout went down to the wire with the USA winning 4-3 and pinching the semi-final spot with the victory.
It was heartbreaking for the Aussies, who had so much to be proud of from their Paris 2024 campaign.
The Australian Men’s Water Polo Team were on the hunt for their first-ever Olympic medal as their best finish at the Olympics to date is fifth at Los Angeles 1984 and Barcelona 1992. It would be a tough match for the Aussies, having lost their last five games against the USA.
“I’m devastated and heart broken for the playing group.” Coach Tim Hamil said.
“What they've gone through over the last couple of years. I really feel for the playing group tonight. I said the other day most times in life, you get what you deserve. But tonight they deserved to win. They gave everything.
“Full credit, America has been knocking. We spoke quite deliberately about America being a great team with Momentum. Once they get off a little bit of a roll, they're playing quite hard to stop.”
The Sharks will now regroup and look to their next match in two days time, with results setting the finals standings from fifth to eighth.
