WRAP - Australia vs Canada (9th-10th Final)

Australia defeated Canada to secure ninth place at the FINA World Junior Women's Championships overnight.

Setting up a convincing 6-2 lead heading into the half time break, the Aussies had control of the game right from the start.

Abby Andrews said that the team had to start strong knowing that Canada was a team that really tries to unsettle their team from the outset.

"We got up in the first quarter 2-0 and eventually went on to win 14-5. It was a really great win to end the competition and I think it really showed all the other teams that we should have been a top eight team," Andrews said.

Head coach Georgina Kovacs said she was extremely proud of her team for achieving their last goal of the championships - finish with a strong performance.

"I'm really glad the girls were able to put out their best performance today, it really showed the difference between the two teams," Kovacs said.

Australia finished in ninth place, ahead of Canada in 10th. The first to eighth place finals will take place Sunday 15 September and will be streamed live on FINA TV.

9th-10th Final v Canada - Results

AUSTRALIA 14 CANADA 5

Quarters: 0-2, 2-4, 1-4, 2-4

AUSTRALIA: Claire Durston, Jamie Oberman (1), Glenda Morgan, Ruby Swadling, Sophie Milliken (3), Abby Andrews (2), Carla Traplin (1), Nioka Thomas (2), Kasey Dalziel (2), Tenealle Fasala (2), Jessica Emerson, Charlize Andrews (1), Isobelle Pamp. Head Coach: Georgina Kovacs

WRAP - Australia vs South Africa (9-12 playoff)

Australia bounced back to their loss against Spain to deliver a commanding 16-5 win against over South Africia in the 9-12 playoff of the FINA Junior Women's World Championships.

The Australians were dominate from the outset, leading throughout and showing great confidence in both their attacking and defensive strategies. 

The Aussies set up a handy 9-3 lead at the half way mark, but South Africa came out of the main break firing and determined not to go down without a fight.  In the third period both teams were evenly matched with just one goal a piece.

But the junior Aussies were determined to finish out the match as they started, powering home with strong intensity to outscore the opposition 6-1 in the final period and close out the game strong. 

Australian Junior Women's Head Coach Georgina Kovacs said despite the team's disappointing in not making the quarter finals, they really lifted and delivered. 

"Very difficult game in terms of quality and intensity. We were struggling at 4-2, but after that we were able to put away our opportunities and actually put the difference between the two teams. 

"[Against Canada next] It's going to be a fight, they are very physcial.  If we are matching up the physicality, to playing to our ability in each of our positions and use our speed, we are going to get over them.

"I'm 100% sure our team is prepared to finish nineth in this tournament," she said. 

Nioka Thomas said the big win over South Africa will be a confidence booster ahead of the next game against Canada. 

"We started really good, it was nice to get a win under our belt after a couple of tough losses. 

"Going into the game against Canada we want to keep up our intensity and I think we can really give them a run for their money.  The girls are feeling good, upbeat and ready for our last game," she said.

Rugby Swaddling was awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match with an impressive six goals to her name. 

Australia will take on Canada on Saturday 14th September at 8:40pm AEST - watch live www.finatv.live 

RESULTS 

AUSTRALIA 16 SOUTH AFRICA 16-5

Quarters: 4-1, 5-2, 1-1, 6-1

AUSTRALIA: Claire Durston, Jamie Oberman (2), Glenda Morgan, Ruby Swadling (6), Sophie Milliken, Abby Andrews (3), Carla Traplin, Nioka Thomas (1), Kasey Dalziel (2), Tenealle Fasala, Jessica Emerson (2), Charlize Andrews, Isobelle Pamp. Head Coach: Georgina Kovacs

Cross Over Final v Spain

Despite putting up a great fight, Australia’s Junior went down to Spain in their cross over finals match against Spain at the FINA Junior Women’s World Championships overnight.

Down 6-2 heading into the second half, Tenealle Fasala said the girls put in an incredible effort to fight back, winning the third quarter 3-2.

“We came back and had a really strong second half, it was disappointing to lose by 2 in the end,” Fasala said.

“It’s important that we bottle all of the frustrations we have that we aren’t in the top eight, and put that into our next games.”

Head coach Georgina Kovacs said she is proud of her team for fighting back.

“We made some poor decisions, but the girls showed intensity for the whole game,” Kovacs said.

“I can’t fault them for their effort, they kept trying and their willingness to create something was there, it was just an unfortunate result in the end.”

Australia will now look to bounce back, as they prepare to face South Africa in the semi finals for ninth to 12th place.

AUS v RSA – Friday 13th September at 1pm local time (10pm AEST).

All games will be streamed LIVE on FINA TV.

Cross Over Final - Results

Match 28, AUSTRALIA 9 SPAIN 11

Quarters: 1-3, 1-3, 3-2, 4-3

AUSTRALIA: Claire Durston, Jamie Oberman, Glenda Morgan (1), Ruby Swadling, Sophie Milliken, Abby Andrews (2), Carla Traplin (1), Nioka Thomas, Kasey Dalziel, Tenealle Fasala (1), Jessica Emerson (2), Charlize Andrews (2), Isobelle Pamp. Head Coach: Georgina Kovacs

WRAP - Game 3 v USA

Australia narrowly went down to the USA in a hotly contested match at the FINA Junior Women's World Championships overnight.

Up 4-2 at half time, Jamie Oberman said the team started off really well.

"We started off with a really high intensity but we probably just needed to adapt to game a little bit more and the traditional style of play from the USA," Oberman said.

"I was really pleased with the continuous effort showed by the girls. Even though we were tired, we kept up our intensity and kept pushing really hard," she said

Head coach Georgina Kovacs said the preparation for their first finals match against Spain started as soon as the final whistle went.

"It's just about reassuring the girls that we definitely have something to offer, recapping our past performances and then moving on to focus on our next game," Kovacs said.

Australia will face Spain in their cross over finals match on Thursday 12 September at 5:20pm local time (Friday 13 September 2:20am AEST).

All games will be streamed LIVE on FINA TV.

Game 3 - Results

Group A, USA 9 AUSTRALIA 8

Quarters: 1-3, 1-1, 4-2, 3-2

AUSTRALIA: Claire Durston, Jamie Oberman (3), Glenda Morgan, Ruby Swadling, Sophie Milliken, Abby Andrews (3), Carla Traplin (1), Nioka Thomas, Kasey Dalziel, Tenealle Fasala, Jessica Emerson, Charlize Andrews (1), Isobelle Pamp. Head Coach: Georgina Kovacs

WRAP - Game 2 v Japan

Australia defeated Japan in a tough match at the FINA Junior Women's World Championships overnight.

Head coach Georgina Kovacs said they were expecting a very mobile and strong defensive game from Japan and that's exactly what they got.

"We matched their intensity and always had a response, it was the control we applied that got us the win," Kovacs said.

The Aussies started strong, with two great goals from Ruby Swadling in the first quarter. Going down narrowly in Q2, and the only loss of the game, Australia managed to up their defensive game heading into the third term.

Glenda Morgan said that the team defended really well, but their attack could have been a bit more aggressive.

"We managed to stay with them, it was goal for goal for a while, but all in all we are happy with the win," Morgan said.

"The USA drew with Japan on day one so we know it's going to be a close game, but we're ready for the challenge."

Australia will face the USA in their final match of the preliminary rounds on Wednesday 11 September at 4pm local time (Thursday 12 September 1am AEST).

All games will be streamed LIVE on FINA TV.

Game 2 - Results

Group A, JAPAN 10 AUSTRALIA 11

Quarters: 1-2, 3-1, 3-4, 3-4

AUSTRALIA: Claire Durston, Jamie Oberman, Glenda Morgan, Ruby Swadling (4), Sophie Milliken, Abby Andrews, Carla Traplin, Nioka Thomas (2), Kasey Dalziel, Tenealle Fasala (1), Jessica Emerson, Charlize Andrews (4), Isobelle Pamp. Head Coach: Georgina Kovacs

Player of the Match - Charlize Andrews

WRAP - Game 1 v Hungary

The first match of the FINA Junior Women's World Championship was a thrilling opening to the tournmament as Australia met European heavy weights Hungary.   

It was a closely fought contest with the Aussies going down 9-10.

Hungary got off to a flying start, to set up a four point advantage at the half way mark.  But in true Aussie relisance, the young guns from down under fought back and took the Hungarians down to the wire. 

In the final minute of the match the Aussies scored to put themselves within one goal.  With only 10 seconds left of the game clock they had left their run a little late and went down 9-10.

Australian Junior Women's Head Coach, Georgina Kovacs said: "I think that we entered a little bit shy into the game and it was not going the way we waited. I am happy with the way we came back to the game.

"During a large part of the third quarter and during the last one we did well, and I am happy with that. We are thinking now about our next game, against Japan. It will be a very hard game. I am expecting a very fast Japan and an intense game."

Up  next Australia will play Japan on Tuesday 10 September at 5:20pm local time (Wednesday 11 September 2:20am AEST).

All games will be streamed LIVE on FINA TV.

Game 1 - Results 

Group A, HUNGARY 10 AUSTRALIA 9
Quarters: 4-2, 3-2, 2-1, 1-4

AUSTRALIA: Claire Durston, Jamie Oberman (2), Glenda Morgan, Ruby Swadling, Sophie Milliken, Abby Andrews (1), Carla Traplin, Nioka Thomas, Kasey Dalziel, Tenealle Fasala (1), Jessica Emerson (1), Charlize Andrews (4), Isobelle Pamp. Head Coach: Georgina Kovacs

PREVIEW - Monday 9 September

Australia will start its FINA World Women’s Junior Water Polo Championships campaign in Funchal (POR) against Hungary today.

The Aussie girls spent the week prior to the Championships at a training camp in Greece training against the Greek and Chinese U20 teams before heading to Funchal.

Captain Sophie Milliken said the training camp environment was an invaluable part of the build-up to the Championships.

“It was really exciting to come together as a team and we were able to start working out how our strengths can complement each other leading into the Championships,” Milliken said.

Upon their arrival into Funchal, the team headed straight for the competition pool where they played in some further training matches against the Netherlands and Canada.

Australia’s young guns will line-up against Hungary in their first match at 9am local time (6pm AEST) on Monday 9 September.

“Hungary will definitely be a tough opponent but we’re just really excited to get into the first game to see what we can do to match them,” Milliken said.

“We’ve got a really good pool with Hungary, Japan and the USA. We’re happy to face anyone in the finals but those first three games are our first priority.”

Coach Georgina Kovacs said that the team’s performances and character give her confidence heading into the World Championships.

“I have been thoroughly enjoying working with these girls – we have the best possible girls around. I’m really excited and looking forward to seeing them perform to the best of their ability,” Kovacs said.

Australia will play Hungary at 6pm AEST on Monday 9 September, Japan at 5:20pm local time on Tuesday 10 September (2:20am AEST Wednesday 11 September) and the USA at 4pm local time on Wednesday 11 September (1am AEST Thursday 12 September).

Finals commence on Thursday 12 September through to Sunday 15 September.

All games will be streamed LIVE on FINA TV.

Follow our updates at @WaterpoloAus

Team

Abby Andrews (QLD) Barracuda

Charlize Andrews (QLD) Mermaids

Kasey Dalziel (QLD) Mermaids

Claire Durston (WA) City Beach WPC

Jessica Emerson (QLD) Barracudas

Tenealle Faala (QLD) Barracudas

Sophie Milliken (QLD) Polo Bears

Glenda Morgan (UWA) City Beach WPC

Jamie Oberman (WA) Triton WPC

Isobelle Pamp (NSW) UNSW Wests

Ruby Swadling (NSW) UNSW Wests

Nioka Thomas (NSW) Balmain Tigers

Carla Traplin (NSW)

Coaching and Support Staff

Head Coach Georgina Kovacs

Manager/Ass Coach Peter Arancini

Physio Rachel Dodds

Referee Fiona Haigh