Aussie Sharks through to FINA World Cup Final

The Australian Men’s Water Polo team are through to the gold medal final of the the FINA World Cup, after defeating hosts Germany 11-10 in the semi final.

This is the first time in history that the Australian Men’s Water Polo team have made the gold medal final of the FINA World Cup.  Australia will now meet European heavy weights Hungary in the grand final tonight (Sunday) at 10:30pm AEST.

The semi final was a hotly contested match in front of a vocal home crowd, with the game forced into a penalty shoot out after scores were locked at regular full time.

Opening the scoring for the Aussies in the first quarter was Joe Kayes and captain Aaron Younger (with two goals) to put the team ahead 3-2 at the end of the period.

By half time the scores were locked 4-4 and by the end of the third quarter there was still nothing between the sides with the scores 7-7.

Heading into the final period an early goal to Nathan Power put the Aussies in a nice position. They looked on track to take out the game but with just over a minute left the Germans converted to once more tie up the scores 8-8 at the end of regular game time.

The match was forced into a penalty shoot out with each team having five attempts at goal.

Germany’s track record in a penalty shoot out traditionally is impressive and early on they looked on a roll.

But with three big saves from Joel Dennerley in goals it all came down to the Aussie Sharks final shooter Andrew Ford, with his precision and conversion earning Australia their first ever start in a World Cup Grand Final.

Dennerley in goals throughout the whole game was once again impressive, with the dual Olympian earning MVP of the match.

An elated Head Coach Elvis Fatovic was thrilled his team were able to win a penalty shoot out and earn their spot in a World Cup Final.

“Finally! I think as a team generally over the last four or five years we have had so many frustrations with penalty shoot outs… but finally we get a win,” said Fatovic.

“I’m so proud of the whole team and staff. We really have played as a team at this tournament.

“But we will not finish here. We will try tomorrow (Sunday night) to play the best we can and win this Tournament… I believe we have a chance.

“Hungary have played a great tournament… in my opinion they have improved a lot from the first game (that Australia played them in).

“But I also believe that we have a good chance against them if our defence is on,” he said.

Dual Olympian and Captain of the Aussie Sharks, Aaron Younger, said the key to the side’s success during this tournament has been team work.

“Everyone is stoked we are where we are. Most important today there were no heroes, everyone just played a good team game for four quarters and we just grinded it out,” said Younger.

“At the end of the day that was the result we were after.

“Joel (Dennerley) had an excellent turn out in penalties with three (saves) in a row, so exceptional game from him,” he said.

Australia will now have a short turn around before they meet Hungary in the grand final which will be played on Sunday 16 September at 10:30pm AEST.

To catch the match live visit www.finatv.live

Semi-Final Results

Australia 11 Germany 10

Qtr time scores: 3-2; 4-4; 7-7; 8-8; (3-2); 11-10