Australian Youth Team finish 6th at FINA World Championships

Australia finish 6th at the World Championships 

Australia's Youth Women's team finished their FINA World Championships campaign ranked sixth in the world. 

Despite finishing the tournament with a loss to European heavy weights Spain 12-16, the young Aussies were impressive throughout their campaign, considering the limited international competition that they had access to over the last few years and immediately prior the World Championships. 

Australian team captain Sienna Green, led her side from in front in the final match scoring five goals.  

“I am just so proud of my girls, because even though we had started badly, we never gave up and eventually managed to minimise the score difference," said Green.

"Obviously, we didn’t obtain the score that we hoped for in the end, but the pride of my team replaces every number. We are really happy about our position on the list; we all wanted to sense this international experience.

"We’ve gathered incredible number of applicable advice at this championship, so this was truly a wonderful journey for our team," she said. 

For full results - click here

Australia 12 d New Zealand 5 

Australia has delivered a convincing 12-5 win overnight against cross Tasman rivals New Zealand in the classfication matches of the FINA Youth Women's World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

The win will advance Australia into the 5/6 playoff against Spain, which will pleasingly see the Aussies finish in the top six at the World Championships. 

Australia led throughout throughout the entire match with Tayla Dawkins the leading scorer with four goals, which earned her the player of the match. 

The Aussies will now meet Spain in the 5/6 playoff, 1:30am AEST on Tuesday 9 August.

For full results - click here

Australia 10 defeated by Hunary 13

Australia went down valliantly to an impressive Hungarain outfit 10-13 in the quarter final of the of the FINA Youth Women's World Championships in Serbia.

While the final scoreline didn't got the young Aussies way, the delivered an impressive match up and in the hung the whole way, trailing by just one goal at half time. 

Mid way through the third quarter the scores were locked 8-8, with the Aussies fighting back. The Hungarians however managed to deliver a strong final quarter and advance through to the semi final defeating Australia 13-10.

Australian Team Assistant Coach Scott Schweickle said: "It was a big improvement from our playing group in a number of areas of our game. To come within a whisker of making the top four against such a highly rated opponent is a major achievement for the minimal time we have had together as a playing group," he said. 

Australia will now play New Zealand on Monday 8 August at midnight. Watch the replay from the match below. 

GAME 4 - AUSTRALIA 13 d CROATIA 12

Australia has booked their spot into the quarter finals of the FINA Youth Women's World Championships in Serbia, after a nail biting 13-12 win over Croatia.

The young Aussies delivered one of their best performances since arriving in Europe, setting up a nice early lead in the game. 

But a hard working Croatian outfit weren’t going to give up without a fight, clawing their way in the final quarter to lock up scores 12-12 with just moments left in the game.  

With under 30 seconds left in the game, Queensland young gun Molly Nasser scored from outside to secure the win for the Aussies and book their spot into the quarter final playoffs. 

Alexandra Nassar and Magali Ogg were the leading goal scorers for the Aussies with an impressive three goals a piece. 

Australian team coach Phil Bower said: “We are all relieved to be in the top eight and to be playing Hungary tomorrow. 

“We had a great start to the game but once again gave up a lead to a very tenacious team in Croatia. 

“Croatia might not be seen as a world power but they are a very competent team who never gives up. Some of their players are excellent shooters. 

“We will give everything tomorrow against our highly rated opponent,” he said.

The Aussies will now meet Hungary in the quarter finals matches, 12 midnight AEST on Saturday 6 August.

For full results - click here

Watch the replay via FINA Youtube - click here 

GAME 3 - AUSTRALIA 4 def by NETHERLANDS 10

In their third game of the FINA Youth Women's World Championships in Serbia, the Australian Youth Women's team went down to the Netherlands.

Taafili Taoso was the top scorer for the young Australian outfit on day three, with two goals of her own. Magali Ogg and Sienna Green were the other goal scorers for Australia, with one each.

Aussie team member Louisa Downes said the score did not reflect the effort put into the pool today.

"I thought today that we started much better in today’s game than we have done in previous games," Downes said.

"There has been a focus on being more positive with our actions in the water during the game team and I think we showed some improvement today. 

"We now have finished second in our group and will play Croatia in a crossover tomorrow," he said.

The Aussies will now meet Croatia in the cross over matches, 3am AEST on Friday 5 August.

For full results - click here

Watch the replay via FINA Youtube - click here

GAME 2 - AUSTRALIA 12 d SOUTH AFRICA 5

The Australian Youth Women's team notched up their first win of the FINA Youth Women's World Championships, defeating South Africa 12-5.

Magali Ogg and Allegra Childs were integral for the Aussies, scoring three goals each with Tayla Dawkins and Layla Smith on two goals each.

Molly Nasser said the team were happy to get the first win under their belt.

"It was our first win since we've been over here - it was a pretty good game, we're improving each time," Nasser said.

"The more we're playing with each other, the better we're getting.

"We were really good at exploding in the first half, there were a few counter attacks that we really made the most of.

"We've got a big game coming up tomorrow against Netherlands, which will decide our final ranking in our pool," she said.

For full results - click here

Watch the replay via FINA Youtube - click here

The Aussies will now play Netherlands at 5pm AEST.

GAME 1 - AUSTRALIA 12 draw CANADA 12

The Australian Youth Women's team have drawn their first game of the FINA Youth Women's World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

Playing against Canada in their opening match, the Aussies were looking for a confidence boost to kickstart their campaign.

Both teams were neck and neck for the entirety of the match, and in the end inseparable with the end score 12-12.

Australian goal keeper Annie Cowan said: "We came out really strong, we just weren't able to capitalise well enough on their mistakes.

"There were some great highlights in the game, including Sienna's (Green) halfway shot.

"We've got South Africa coming up now, so we're really just focusing on preapring for that game," she said.

For full results - click here

Watch the replay via FINA Youtube - click here

The Aussies will now play South Africa at 9.30pm AEST.