WORLD AQUATICS MEN'S U18 WATER POLO CHAMPIONSHIPS

GAME 6: BRAZIL 11 d AUSTRALIA 9

Despite going down to Brazil 11-9 in their final game of the tournament, Australia secured an impressive top 10 finish at the World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Championships in Buenos Aires.

The Australian team started the game well, building throughout the first two quarters to gain a one goal lead at the halfway mark.

The third quarter was a tight affair, with 10 days of joint training just prior to the Championships meaning both teams knew the natural game play of the other.

Excellent blocking from all our field players and a good performance from our goalkeeper meant that the final quarter became very much about strategy.

Unfortunately for the Aussies, the Brazilian team came up with a couple of very good goals in the final minutes that saw the game finish in favour of the South American side. 

The result saw the Australians finish the tournament in 10th place, doing their country proud with their demonstration of resilience and skill throughout the tournament.

REPLAY

GAME 5: AUSTRALIA 13 d TURKEY 12

A great win in penalties for our Aussies at the World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Championships saw them triumph against Türkiye 13-12.

Despite Türkiye scoring the first goal of the match, the Australians finished the first quarter with a one goal lead after Sean Bright, Ashton Brown and Auguste Korac all netted goals in the first eigth minutes.

The second quarter saw Türkiye equalise the scoreline, scoring two goals to Australia's one to see the game tied up four-all at half time.

With not much seperating the teams, Australia and Türkiye scored three goals apiece in the third quarter and two each in the fourth, forcing the game to penalties.

An exciting shootout saw the result go down to the wire, with both teams missing their first shot and netting the following three.

With the result of the game resting on the final shots, our Aussies showed up when it mattered. Goalkeeper Harrison Brown made an all-important save before Ashton Brown scored for the green and gold side, earning Australia the win.

Player Felix Pal said the team is happy to record another win at the Championships.

“After a 9-9 draw in regulation time, in which the Turkish side pulled back from a two goal deficit to level the scoring; a nerve-wracking shootout ensued," said Pal.

"Somewhat limited in our choices due to three rolled centre backs, we produced a makeshift shooting lineup that included centre forward Ashton Brown.

"A self-described reluctant, and inexperienced penalty taker, Ashton stepped up to take the deciding shot, and cooly put it away, helping to send our team into the 9th spot playoff match.

"As well as putting us back in the win column after a disheartening loss to the capable Spaniards, this victory has primed Australia for one of its best finishes in the under 18s men’s division in recent memory," he said.

REPLAY

COMING UP: Australia vs Brazil, Wednesday 10 July, 2:30am AEST

GAME 4: SPAIN 24 d AUSTRALIA 10

A tough loss for our Aussies this morning at the World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Championships who went down to European powerhouses, Spain, 24-10.

With the game determining who would progress to a quarter-final against Serbia, the Australian U18 boys knew they would have to fight hard from the opening whistle.

Spain started the game well, consistently scoring in the opening quarter to take a 6-1 lead into the first break.

The young Australian team settled themselves at the break and came out with a few counter punches in the second quarter to score three good goals.

Despite an additional six goals from Australia throughout the second half of the game, Spain’s superior outside shooting and big game experience allowed them to take control of the match.

Australia will now prepare to face Turkey on Monday night to play off for the 9-12 bracket. 

REPLAY

COMING UP: Australia vs Türkiye, Tuesday 9 July, 1am AEST

GAME 3: AUSTRALIA 12 d NEW ZEALAND 5

A strong game from our Aussies saw the team decisively outscore New Zealand in their first Crossover match of the World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Championships, emerging victorious 12-5.

The Australian team demonstrated solid teamwork and skill throughout the game, netting three goals in the first quarter, two in the second and one in the third before finishing strong with six goals in the final quarter.

New South Wales player Ashton Brown said the team was happy to come away with a win.

"Tonight we played our old foe New Zealand, coming away with a tough but successful win," said Brown. 

"We had a strong first half using our defence and counter attack ability to lead against New Zealand at the half. A close third quarter saw our opponents close in, however we were able to bring it home in the fourth quarter, winning 12-5.

"Looking forward we play Spain in the final of the crossover rounds where we are optimistic about continuing our winning streak and breaking into the top 8," said Brown.

Australia's strong performance secured their place in the next round, where they are set to face Spain tomorrow night.

REPLAY

COMING UP: Australia vs Spain, Sunday 7 July, 9:30am AEST

GAME 2: AUSTRALIA 20 d SOUTH AFRICA 13

Australia has topped Group F at the World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Championships overnight, defeating their South African 20-13 in their second of two initial matches.

Daniel Magasanik from Australia was the first to net a ball in the high-scoring game, sending a powerful ball to the bottom right corner of the net. Goals kept coming for the Aussies who scored an additional five times over the first quarter whilst keeping their opponents to just two.

The second and third quarters saw both teams score nine goals each over the 16 minutes of game time.

Australia sealed the deal in the fourth quarter of the match, with several players seeing balls to the back of the net including Sean Bright and Daniel Magasanik who both scored their fifth goals of the match.

Sebastian Houston from Western Australia said the team was happy to have secured their second win of the tournament.

“We started off well with fast counter attacks to get an early four goal lead against a heavy South Africa team," siad Houston.

"Our Center Forward's dominated throughout the four quarters and ended with 12 goals between them.

"With a slow start to the second half we finished well in the fourth quarter with precise passes from the lefty’s to centre players ending in a seven goal lead 20-13," he said.

Head Coach Andras Jo-Kovacs said: “The boys started well today and put in a good first quarter performance which was pleasing to see.

"In the second quarter we tried to change some tactical elements of our game and this is an area we will continue to work on."

REPLAY

COMING UP: Australia vs New Zealand, Saturday 6 July, 7am AEST

GAME 1: AUSTRALIA 14 d KAZAKHSTAN 13

A great start to the World Aquatics Men's U18 Water Polo Championships for our Australian team saw them claim a close 14-13 victory over Kazakhstan in their first game of the tournament.

Despite Australia being the first team to net a goal, Kazakhstan were quick to score points in the pool, ultimately pulling just ahead of the Aussies 4-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Determined to stay in it, the Australians turned the tables in the second quarter, scoring four goals to Kazakhstan's three to make the score an equal 7-7 at the halfway mark.

The Australians scored two goals over their opponents one in the third quarter, putting them ahead by one goal.

A high scoring final quarter saw both teams net five goals apiece, with the extra goal in the third quarter by Australia proving the deciding factor between the two teams.

Lewis Saupin said the team was glad to come away with the win.

“We started our World Champs campaign with a nerve-wracking 14-13 win over Kazakhstan," said Saupin.

"Despite the close game, the team took confidence from getting a game on the board under pressure and settling the nerves.

"Having a day off tomorrow, we now look towards our second group stage game against South Africa on Thursday," he said.

REPLAY

COMING UP: Australia vs South Africa, Thursday 4 July, 11:30pm AEST

For full results - click here. 

Australia: Sean Bright (UQ Water Polo, QLD), Ashton Brown (Sydney University, NSW), Harrison Cole (Sunshine Coast, QLD), Edward Handley (UWA, WA), Sebastian Houston (Melville, WA), Zac Izzard (Sydney University, NSW), Auguste Korac (Sunshine Coast, QLD), Daniel Magasanik (Melbourne Collegians, VIC), Tian Markart (UQ Water Polo, QLD), Jake Martin (Adelaide Vikings, SA), Nicholas Mordes (Melbourne Collegians, VIC), Felix Pal (Sydney University, NSW), Rex Palazzi (Cronulla, NSW), Lewis Saupin (Sydney University, NSW), Cory Webber (Sydney University, NSW)

Watch live: click here 

Image Credit: Rob Izzard