The Sharks lost the third match in their series 12-8 against a team preparing to host next week’s European Championships in Malaga.

The Sharks were blitzed in the final quarter 3-0 after trailing by two at the quarter and one (7-6) at halftime with the third period drawn 2-2.

Head coach John Fox said: “This has been a worthwhile activity given the Spanish are in preparation for next week’s European Champs.

“Now the players will return home for a week’s active rest before the squad resumes intensive training for Beijing. This includes a training camp in Perth and a pre-Olympics competition in Singapore.”

Captain Thomas Whalan led the scoring with three goals while youthful goalkeeper Luke Quinlivan made four saves and James Stanton five in their respective halves in the cage.

The Sharks managed just three from seven on extra while the Spaniards netted five from seven attempts.

The first test was drawn 9-all while Australia won the second 10-7.

The Olympic team will be named next week.

Results:
International men’s series, Barcelona, Spain: Spain 12 Australia 8 (T Whalan 3, P Figlioli 2, J Beadsworth, R Campbell, R Howden). Series drawn 1-1.

Sharks win and draw with world No 3 Spain
Barcelona (June 27).—
The Aussie Sharks’ Olympic men’s water polo campaign moved a step closer with a win and a draw against world No 3 Spain in Barcelona in the past two days.

In the second match, in front of a parochial crowd, Australia finished strongly with a 4-1 final quarter in a match in which the foul count was heavily against by a factor of four.

Head coach John Fox said: “It was a much-improved defensive effort over the first match and the game plan was followed well. This gives us confidence moving toward Beijing.”

There is one match remaining in the series before the Sharks fly home to begin final preparations for Beijing.

Results:
International men’s series, Barcelona, Spain: Australia 9 (T Franklin 3, R Maitland 2, J Beadsworth, J Cotterill, A Martin, T Whalan) Spain 9, Australia 10 (P Figlioli, T Franklin, T Neesham, T Whalan 2, R Campbell, S McGregor) Spain 7. Australia leads three-test series 1-0.

Team Reports:

1 – 25th June
AUS 9 - ESP 9
Qtr Scores: 0-0; 4-3; 3-4; 2-2.
Goal scorers: Franklin 3, Maitland 2, Beadsworth, Cotterill, Martin, Whalan 1.
Goalkeepers (Goals/saves): Sterk 3/5, Quinlivan 6/7
Extraman: AUS 1/6, ESP 5/8
Comments: “We’ve two more official games with Spain and I have an expectation that our extraman conversion will improve. Only with this will it give us the opportunity to win such matches” - John Fox.