World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championships

GAME 5: AUSTRALIA 16 d CANADA 8

The Australian Women's 20&U team have finished their World Championships on a high, with a 16-8 victory over Canada.

The Aussies started strong, outscoring their counterparts 6-0 in the first quarter, before going on to forge ahead to a 11-3 lead at half time.

The Canadians bounced back in the third quarter, with each team scoring two goals and the scores at 13-5 with one quarter left to play.

In the last quarter, both teams slotted three goals each into the back of the net, the end score 16-8.

1. GATH, Eve; 2. HENDERSON, Samantha; 4. BLEW, Kate; 5. PUTT, Emma (1); 6. DAWKINS, Tayla (2); 7. TAOSO, Taafili (1); 8. NASSER, Molly (2); 9. LOGAN, Tara; 11. HARDINGHAM, Samantha; 12. THOMAS, Nioka (3); 13. HIGGS, Jasmine; 14. GREEN, Sienna (6); 15. SMITH, Layla (1)

GAME 4: AUSTRALIA 10 def by ISRAEL 13

The Australian Women's 20&U team have fallen short in their second cross over match, losing to Israel 10-13 at the 2023 World Aquatics Women's U20 Water Polo Championships in Portugal overnight.

The Aussies kept their opponents on their toes in the first quarter, trailing by two goals, before Israel extended their lead to 4-8 at half time.

A huge third quarter from the Aussies saw them bring back the score to 8-9 with one quarter remaining. But in the last quarter, Israel proved too strong, outscoring the Aussies 2-4 and the end score 10-13 falling in Israel's favour.

Australian Women's 20&U Head Coach Jo Clark said: "Tonight's match proved challenging for our team. We deviated from our game plan and strengths, allowing Israel to breach our defence without a strong counterattack. It's undoubtedly a disappointing outcome for us."

The Australians will now move into the classification side of the draw, with their next match against Canada to determine their path forward.

For full results - click here. 

GAME 5: Coming up Australia vs Canada, Thursday 14 September 9pm AEST

AUSTRALIA: 1. GATH, Eve; 3. PAMP, Annaleise (1); 4. BLEW, Kate; 5. PUTT, Emma; 6. DAWKINS, Tayla (1); 7. TAOSO, Taafili; 8. NASSER, Molly (1); 9. LOGAN, Tara; 10. OGG, Magali; 12. THOMAS, Nioka (4); 13. HIGGS, Jasmine; 14. GREEN, Sienna (2); 15. SMITH, Layla (1)

GAME 3: AUSTRALIA 11 d CROATIA 8

The Australian Women's 20&U team have continued their winning run at the 2023 World Aquatics Women's U20 Water Polo Championships in Portugal, defeating Croatia 11-8 in their first cross over game.

After a strong start with two wins over Kazakhstan and India, the Aussies were keen to carry the momentum into their third match up of the Championships.

A slow start saw the teams locked up at 4-all at half time, before going on to score two goals apiece in the third quarter and the scores remaining locked a 6-6.

A massive fourth quarter from the Aussies, led by three goals from Sienna Green and two from captain Nioka Thomas, inspired the Aussies to an 11-8 victory.

Australian 20&U Women's Head Coach Jo Clark said: "Tonight's game against Croatia was intense. They came out strong with quick shots early on, but our girls fought hard throughout."

"In the fourth quarter, our defense tightened up, and we had some great shots on goal against their zone. Up next, we face Israel in another tough crossover match," she said.

Player of the match, South Australia's Tayla Dawkins said: "Croatia really brought out their big guns...they're a European side that's pretty strong and we were able to match them pretty well.

"Their outside shooters were definitely their biggest asset, so we had to press them hard and make that challenging for them. But also keep an eye on their centre forwards as well.

"I think the thought of not being able to continue through the draw really got me and the team up and about, that was the major motivator for us, so we were really happy to win and stay alive in the competition.

"Israel up next, and they're another strong side. But I think if we play like we did tonight, we've got a strong chance...play to our strengths and we'll be fine," she said.

For full results - click here. 

GAME 4: Coming up Australia vs Israel, Wednesday 13 September 5am AEST

AUSTRALIA: 1. GATH, Eve; 2. HENDERSON, Samantha; 4. BLEW, Kate; 6. DAWKINS, Tayla (3); 7. TAOSO, Taafili; 8. NASSER, Molly (2); 9. LOGAN, Tara; 10. OGG, Magali; 11. HARDINGHAM, Samantha; 12. THOMAS, Nioka (2); 13. HIGGS, Jasmine; 14. GREEN, Sienna (3); 15. SMITH, Layla

GAME 2: AUSTRALIA 30 d INDIA 4

The Australian Women's 20&U team have delivered back-to-back wins at the 2023 World Aquatics Women's U20 Water Polo Championships in Portugal, with a 30-4 victory over India.

The Aussies started strong, scoring 11 goals in the opening quarter and managing to keep their opponents scoreless, before opening up their lead to 18-3 at half time.

In the third quarter, the Aussies added another six goals to their tally and held India to 0 courtesy of a full team defensive effort.

The Australians slotted another six goals into the back of the net in the last quarter to claim a dominant 26 goal win. It was a full team effort from the Aussies, with every player adding their name to the goal scorers list.

Captain Nioka Thomas and Queenslander Taafili Taoso were the top goal scorers for the Aussies, with five goals each. Sydneysider Sienna Green and Brisbanite Molly Nasser each scored ffour, and vice captain Kate Blew scored three.

Blew said she was proud of her team for the effort they put in tonight, and said it was a great preparation for their cross over game against Croatia.

"It was a good game, we focused on the aspect of our game that we wanted to work on, which was good especially leading into the cross overs," Blew said.

"We're having a really good time here in Portugal, and learning so much along the way. Tomorrow night will be a tough game against Croatia, and we're all keen to have a good, hard hit out.

"We know we'll have to stay focused, it will quite a physical game, so we need to try to not get too caught up in the physicality of it," she said.

Australian 20&U Head Coach Jo Clark said her team are looking forward to taking the next step in the competition tomorrow. 

"Tomorrow's match against Croatia presents an ideal opportunity for the team to showcase our style of play. We anticipate a strong showing in both defense and attack," she said.

For full results - click here. 

GAME 3: Coming up Australia vs Croatia, Tuesday 12 September 3:30am AEST

AUSTRALIA: 1. GATH, Eve; 2. HENDERSON, Samantha (2); 3. PAMP, Anneliese (1); 4. BLEW, Kate (3); 5. PUTT, Emma (2); 6. DAWKINS, Tayla (2); 7. TAOSO, Taafili (5); 8. NASSER, Molly (4); 9. LOGAN, Tara (1); 10. OGG, Magali (1); 12. THOMAS, Nioka (5); 13. HIGGS, Jasmine; 14. GREEN, Sienna (4)

GAME 1: AUSTRALIA 17 d KAZAKHSTAN 2

The Australian Women’s 20&U team have delivered a convincing 17-2 win over Kazakhstan in the opening game of the 2023 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championships in Portugal.

The Aussies dominated from the outset in both their attack and defence, managing to keep Kazakhstan scoreless in the first half to set up a 6-0 at half time. 

While Kazakhstan managed to get a goal a piece in the final two quarters, the Aussies were too strong.

Australian Women’s 20&U Head Coach Jo Clark said: "We came out fighting we came out playing our Aussie style of game and got the 17-2 win. The win was a real team effort. 

"We stuck to our team plan, the girls really went in there confident.  First games nerves will always happen but they really went in there and took one attack, one defence at a time and stuck to that through the entire game. 

"Next is India, not too sure what to we’ll be up against, haven’t seen India play before however we’ll stick to our game plan and go out an play our style of game."

Nioka Thomas said the team came into the first match with strong preparation and she was pleased to see the team get a strong win.

"It was a good start for the team and getting some confidence in there.  

"[In the lead in] we played some good quality teams in the Netherlands, Spain and Canada, so we’ve had a good preparation working on fine tuning the little things to be prepared for the Tournament.  

"Coming up is India, they are a bit of wildcard. We will have to start strong and give them what we have," she said. 

For full results - click here. 

Australia: Kate Blew (Mermaids, QLD); Tayla Dawkins (Henley Sharks, SA); Eve Gath (North Brisbane Polo Bears, QLD); Sienna Green (Sydney Uni, NSW); Samantha Hardingham (Sydney Uni, NSW); Samantha Henderson (Sydney Uni, NSW); Jasmine Higgs (Drummoyne, NSW); Tara Logan (Richmond, VIC); Molly Nasser (Mermaids, QLD); Magali Ogg (SNB Breakers, NSW); Anneliese Pamp (Sydney Uni, NSW); Emma Putt (Triton, WA); Layla Smith (UTS Balmain, NSW); Taafili Taoso (Mermaids, QLD); Nioka Thomas (UTS Balmain, NSW)

GAME 2: Coming up Australia vs India, Sunday 10 September 7:30pm AEST

Watch live: click here