Aussie Stingers take third in Spain

The Aussie Stingers have taken third place at the Portugalete International Tournament in Spain, after going down to the hosts 8-11.

The Tournament is part of the Aussies Stingers European Tour as the continue preparations ahead of the World League Finals in September.

While the Aussie Stingers suffered losses to Greece and Spain they took a solid 10-9 win against Russia in the second game.

Ellie Armit, recently announcing her move to Italy's national league side Pallanuoto Lantech Plebiscito Padova, commented after her side's win against Russia:

"It was a really good game, it was quite aggressive towards the end.

"It was different to yesterday (loss against Spain) where we kind of fell off in the last quarter, where as today we kept to our system, kept to our game plan and it came off in the end," she said.

Next up for the Australians is the Vodafone Cup in Budapest, Hungary.

Scores

Game 1: Australia vs Greece;  7-11

Game 2: Australia vs Russia; 10-9

Game 3: Australia vs Spain; 8-11

Aussie Stingers 2018 European Tour Training Squad:

Lilian Hedges – Fremantle, WA
Madeleine Steere – Victoria, VIC
Hannah Buckling – Sydney Uni, NSW
Elle Armit – Drummoyne, NSW
Isobel Bishop – Sydney Uni, NSW
Bronwen Knox – Breakers, QLD
Pascalle Casey – Balmain, NSW
Amy Ridge – Cronulla, NSW
Zoe Arancini – Fremantle, WA
Morgan Baxter – Drummoyne, NSW
Lena Mihailovic – Cronulla, NSW
Gabriella Palm – Barracudas, QLD
Keesja Gofers – Sydney Uni, NSW
Rowie Webster – Cronulla, NSW
Alice Williams – Breakers, QLD

Pre-Tournament training

After a week long training camp in Spain, the Aussie Stingers are ready to compete in the 30th Portugalete International Tournament.

The three day tournament will feature teams from Russia, Greece as well as the hosts. It’s the first major competition for the Australians as part of their three-week European tour.

In the opening match the Aussie Stingers will go head to head with Greece, the home country and former side of Head Coach Sakis Kechagias.

The two sides have not met since last year’s FINA World Championships in Budapest.

The first game will mark a significant milestone for three-time Olympian Bronwen Knox, as she prepares to play her 350th game for Australia.

Knox has claimed two Olympic bronze medals as well as captained the team at the Rio Olympic Games.  After some time off post the Rio Olympics, the water polo stalwart has her sights firmly set on a fourth Olympic Games for Tokyo2020.

While the squad will be looking for some solid wins, the competition is all part of the preparations ahead of the World Cup in September.

Portugalete International Tournament Schedule

Friday, June 22: Greece-Australia 18:00 (local) 2:00am Sat 23 June (AEST).

Saturday, June 23:  Australia-Russia 10:45 (local) 6:45pm (AEST)

Sunday, June 24: Spain-Australia 12:00 (local) 8:00PM (AEST).

Keep up to date with all the Aussie Stingers latest news from their European training camps through our Water Polo Australia social media channels @WaterpoloAus.