MERMAIDS CLAIM INAUGURAL NATIONAL TITLE

Published Wed 23 Jan 2019

Mermaids Pink have clinched the 12&U Women’s Australian Youth Water Polo Championships title downing SNB Breakers 3-2 in a penalty shootout.

The local Brisbane team Mermaids led early courtesy of Jazmyn Green special, however didn't have it all their own way as the Sydney team fought back to draw level 1-1 at half time.

With lots of shots on goal and a boisterous crowd in the stands at Brisbane Aquatic Centre the gold medal lived up to the anticipation going down to the wire.

Both teams peppered the goals with scoring attempts but were unable to be brake the 1-1 score line sending the match into a penalty shootout.

Pia Hatzipetrou sunk the winning shot sending Mermaids fans into overdrive and claiming the Club’s third national title in less than a week.

Mermaid's coach Giuliano Astone knew his side had what it takes to hold their nerve and add more silverware to the cabinet after winning the Queensland state championships last year.

“It was just an amazing game, we got the lead, they got it back, we had plenty of shots they had plenty of shots, it just came down to focus and confidence.

“In that penalty shootout our goalkeeper (Dasha Osadchuk) saved four out of the five shots, that is unheard of.

“This is a competition we’ve targeted, we knew it was here, we knew it was going to be big and we had the local support - it’s just been a great week,” he said.

Hatzipetrou can now add national champion to her list of water polo achievements and was thrilled to grab gold at the new event which has seen 3,000 competitors from over 170 teams converge on Brisbane.

“The game went well, but I was very nervous for most of it. We wanted this win because we won states and we wanted to finish it off with nationals.

"It’s really exciting to win it here in Brisbane, it has been a lot fun,” she said.

In the bronze medal decider, Sydney Uni Lions rouded out the podium with a 4-1 win against Brisbane Girls GS.

For full results – visit the Match Centre.

Want to watch the game? Catch the game in full on OVO Play.

The new event will return to the Queensland capital again in early 2020, stay tuned to the Water Polo Australia website for more information to come.