It was the first time that an Australian men’s team had stood atop the podium, ranking better that a FINA World Cup bronze, two FINA World League bronze medals and a junior men’s silver medal.

The Aussies, many of whom will now come under close scrutiny for naming to next week’s FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy, had to come from two goals down in the first quarter to keep their unblemished record at the championships.

For once it’s not a European team dominating a major men’s tournament with the world powerhouses of the sport left to scramble for the minor rankings.

Australia won its group in the 16-nation event, beating Canada 20-0, Montenegro 16-6 and Greece 7-5. In the quarter-finals, Australia displaced the United States of America 8-4 and went on to defeat eventual bronze medallist Serbia 7-6 in the semifinals. 

Team: Goalkeepers: John Hahn (NSW); Luke Quinlivan (WA). Field players: Anthony Martin, Rob Maitland (Captain), Billy Miller (QLD); Richie Campbell, Steve Cody, Johnno Cotterill, Aidan Roach (NSW); Jarrod Gilchrist (VIC); Nicholas O’Halloran, Joel Swift, Aaron Younger (WA). Head coach: Paul Oberman. Manager: Jon Sieben.

Results:
Universiade, Belgrade, Serbia, men, day 12:
Play-offs: For 7th & 8th, Russia 8 Italy 5. For 5th & 6th, Hungary 9 USA 8. For 3rd & 4th: Serbia 9 Greece 4. For 1st & 2nd: Australia 6 (A Younger 2, R Campbell, R Maitland, A Martin, B Miller) Croatia 4.
Final placings: Australia, Croatia, Serbia, Greece, Hungary, USA, Russia, Italy, Spain, Japan, France, Montenegro, Canada, Poland, Mexico, China.

Hero Quinlivan boosts Aussies into World Student Games gold-medal final
Belgrade, Serbia (July 10).—
Australian goalkeeper Luke Quinlivan (pictured) inspired his team to a 7-6 semifinal victory over Serbia in the men’s water polo competition at the World Student Games in Belgrade today.

Quinlivan, a hot contender to be named to the Aussie Sharks for the FINA World Championships starting in Rome, Italy next Sunday, blocked a penalty shot in the final quarter as the home team struggled to gain parity.

It will be the first time an Australian senior men’s team has made a major international final and coach Paul Oberman said after the match: “The gold medal is now theirs for the taking. I am extremely proud of all the players and their commitment.”

The Aussies will play Croatia who defeated Greece 11-8 in the other semifinal.

Captain Rob Maitland, who carried the Australian flag at the opening ceremony, scored three goals in another standout performance and could be headed for the top of the dais on Sunday.

Manager’s report:
What can I say the boys have created history being the first men’s water polo team to contest for a gold medal at a major world competition. Today we took on Serbia in Serbia and came out in top. Australia 7 (Maitland 3, Martin 2, Younger, Miller 1) Serbia 6. What a fantastic game the boys showed tremendous courage in holding out a determined Serbia in front of a parochial crowd. Australia always seemed in control from the outset but Serbia refused to give in and were always in touch. But when it came down to the crunch we made the more important plays in both attack and defence. Luke Quinlivan once again was outstanding in goals making several outstanding saves including a 5m penalty save in the last quarter. Rob Maitland continues to have a fantastic tournament with 3 goals and contributing in defence when required. Anthony Martin, Richie Campbell and Johnno Cotterill were valuable contributers. Billy Miller was a tireless worker along with the younger players all receiving valuable international experience. Head coach Paul Oberman was ecstatic with the result but has stressed that the gold medal is now theirs for the taking. He was extremely proud of all the players and their commitment.

Results:
Universiade, Belgrade, Serbia, men, day 10:
Play-offs: For 11th & 12th: France 12 Montenegro 10. For 9th & 10th: Spain 13 Japan 12. Semifinals 5-8: USA 11 Italy 8, Hungary 13 Russia 11. Semifinals 1-4: Australia 7 (R Maitland 3, A Martin 2, A Younger, B Miller) Serbia 6, Croatia 11 Greece 8.

Aussie women fifth at Student Games
Belgrade, Serbia (July 9).—
Australia’s women claimed fifth place with a 13-6 victory over Serbia in the women’s water polo competition at the World Student Games in Belgrade today.

Australia was unlucky to miss a semifinal berth in the event, which is being staged for women for the first time but showed class in swimming away with the match in the final quarter after leading 5-3 at halftime and 9-6 at the final break.

China remains on target for the inaugural gold medal with a 16-7 wiping of Canada in the semifinals, while Hungary beat Russia 11-9.

The Australian men play Serbia in the semifinals tomorrow.

Results:
Universiade, Belgrade, Serbia, women, day 9:
Play-offs: For 5th & 6th: Australia 13 (J Whitehorne, K Gofers 3, E Rossato 2, L Callahan, N Stoltz, R Webster, M Hammond, S Mills) Serbia 7. Semifinals: China 16 Canada 7, Hungary 11 Russia 9.

Aussie men defeat elements and USA for Student Games semifinal berth
Belgrade, Serbia (July 8).—
A violent storm could not stop Australia’s men blitzing the United States of America 8-4 to gain a water polo semifinal shot at Serbia at the World Student Games in Belgrade. 

The quarter-final match was switched from the outside pool to the indoor pool at three-quarter time when the Aussies led 7-4.

Following the 10-minute delay, the Australians showed composure and earned a shot at going at least one medal better than their 2003 bronze.

Beijing Olympians Richie Campbell and Anthony Martin both scored twice as the team led 2-1 at the quarter but the game was squared at 3-3 by halftime.

Australia only scored one from four on extra-man advantage but limited the North Americans to two from eight.

Serbia beat Italy 7-6 while in the other half of the draw, Croatia smashed Russia 16-8 and Greece upset Hungary 8-7.

Manager’s Report:
Well what a game. It had everything, a violent storm sending us from outdoors to indoors causing a 10-minute delay at the end of the third period. Then a power failure half way through the final period saw another 15 minute delay. Through out all the drama the boys stayed composed and had a well earned victory over USA. The final score Australia 8 (Campbell, Martin 2, Cody, O'Halloran, Younger, Miller 1) beat USA 4.
Australia seemed to be in control for most of the game even though the score line did not show it early on. The boys continued to swim their opponents and created many counter attack opportunities. Richie Campbell and Anthony Martin both had strong games in attack and defence. Luke Quinlivan once again was impressive in goals and made several fantastic saves. Rob Maitland continues to lead the boys well and had a good captains game.
We now have a rest day and then play host nation Serbia in the semi final round.

Results:
Universiade, Belgrade, Serbia, men, day 8:
Play-offs: For 15th & 16th: Mexico 21 China 10. For 13th & 14th: Canada 6 Poland 3. Semifinals for 9Th & 12th: Japan 14 Montenegro 13, Spain 8 France 5. Quarter-finals: Serbia 7 Italy 6, Australia 8 (R Campbell, A Martin 2, S Cody, N O’Halloran, A Younger, B Miller) USA 4, Croatia 16 Russia 8, Greece 8 Hungary 7.

Aussie women playing for fifth at World Student Games
Belgrade, Serbia (July 7).—
Australia’s women will play Serbia for fifth place in the women’s water polo competition at the World Student Games in Belgrade.

The Aussies lost 10-8 to Canada in the quarter-final round despite a six-goal haul to towering centre forward Rowena Webster.

Locked 4-4 at the quarter break and 6-5 down at halftime, the third period was squared 2-2 before Canada gained the edge in the final eight minutes.

Canada will now play group winner China in the semifinals while Hungary, a 13-5 victor over Serbia, will play Russia.

The unbeaten Aussie men will play the United States of America in a quarter-final tomorrow.

Results:
Universiade, Belgrade, Serbia, women, day 7:
Play-off for 7th & 8th: Italy 11 Japan 10. Quarter-finals: Hungary 13 Serbia 5, Canada 10 Australia 8 (R Webster 6, E Rossato, S Mills).

Stingers claim bronze at Samartzidis Cup in Greece
Belgrade, Serbia (July 5).—
The Aussie Stingers claimed the bronze medal at the five-nation Samartzidis Cup women’s water polo tournament in Athens, Greece, defeating Italy 9-7.

Using multiple combinations in the lead-up to the FINA World Championships in Rome, Italy later this month, the Stingers rebounded from their 9-6 loss to Greece the night before.

The team is pictured with its medals while the other pix is of Mr Samartzidis, after whom the tournament is named for his dead son.

The depleted Aussie Sharks men’s team, lost their second friendly game to Germany 10-5 in Bocholt, Germany.

With the core of the national team playing at the World Student Games, the Sharks trailed just 3-2 at halftime but lost the game in the 4-2 third period and 3-1 fourth in front of 800 parochial spectators.

The Sharks contained two players making their international debuts in 18-year-old Queenslanders Sam Robertson and Daniel Young.

In Belgrade, Serbia, the Australian women lost 8-6 to the Chinese Olympic team at the World Student Games to finish third in their group, looking for advancement through the second round.

Senior men's report

The Australian Men's team were beaten by Germany for the 2nd time in 4 days when they were defeated 10-5 yesterday local time.
 
At a very picturesque lakeside setting just out of Duisberg, before a cowd of appproximately 500 people, the Aussies opened brightly with a half time score G 3 - A 2. However the Germans very physical game wore the Aussies down resulting in a 7-3 score line in the 2nd half. Aussie Shark's coach John Fox said he was pleased with the Aussies set defence but said his team's inability in offence to counter the Germans heavy press was a problem. Once again Australia did not capitalise sufficiently in Extra Man scoring 3 from ten exclusions.
 
Game score - 1-2, 2-3, 4-7, 5-10. Scorers Grant Richardson 2, Thomas Whalan, David Will.
 
Best Players Grant Richardson, Joel Dennerly.

Senior women's report

Seafood was on the menu in Athens this morning but  traditional rivals Italy were left with a bad taste in their mouth after they were defeated by the Stingers 9 to 7.The referees did a good job in a match that resembled Rugby more than water polo, handing out 36 majors during the game. The Aussies showed strong character to overcome Italy’s cynical roughhouse tactics.

Head Coach Greg McFadden said he was “very pleased the Team kept their calm while not taking a backward step”. The Stingers are now looking towards the World Championships with a better understanding of what needs to be done. The team travels to Hungary next and are looking forward to the chance to further develop and experiment with their game. 

Goal scorers:Rebecca Rippon,Nicola Zagame 2,Holly Lincon Smith,Jane Moran,Bronwen Knox,Kate Gynther,Zoe Arancini 1.
 

Aussie men win through to Student Games quarter-finals
Belgrade, Serbia (July 4).—
Australia beat Greece 7-5 to win its group and advance to the quarter-finals of the men’s water polo competition at the World Student Games in Belgrade today.

In a tense match, the Aussies were always in control with a four-goal buffer heading into the final quarter.

The team will now have to wait until July 8 for its next match, watching on as teams battle out the qualifying round to see who will join group winners Australia, Hungary, Serbia and Russia in the fight for semifinal berths.

In the Samartzidis Cup six-nation tournament in Athens, Greece, the Aussie Stingers senior women suffered one of their biggest defeats in recent memory in losing 14-3 to world No 7 Russia.

The team rebounded on day two with an 11-7 margin over Spain but lost 9-6 to Greece in the evening

The Aussie Sharks men’s team, as part of their build-up to this month’s FINA World Championships in Rome, lost 8-4 to Germany in a friendly in Duisberg, Germany.

Student Games report

Australia had a hard fought win over Greece 7 - 5 (Cody, Maitland - 2, Younger, Swift, Miller - 1)

Australia started strong and controlled the game from the outset. leading throughout 1-0 at quarter time, 3-1 at half time, 6-2 at three quarter time and held on for a 7-5 victory.

It was a bit of a scrappy game with the boys not converting some good opportunities but continued to remain composed.

Luke Quinlivan had an excellent game in goals making several excellent saves and denying the Greeks on many occasions. Rob Maitland and Steve Cody had excellent games scoring 2 goals each. Aaron Younger, Joel Swift and Billy Miller all had strong games and made important contributions.

This victory means Australia finishes top of their group and will have 3 days rest. They will play the winner of ESP v USA on Wednesday 8 July.


Senior Men’s report
The Australian Men's team were last night defeated 8-4 by Germany in Duisberg, in the 1st of two friendly internationals.

A large parochial crowd was in attendance despite the game being delayed by 1hr as a result of sheeting rain and a fierce electrical storm.

Both teams traded goals in an even first two quarters with scores 3/3 at half time.

Australia's second half was disappointing going 5-1 down. Aussie coach John Fox stated the Aussies 1 from 10 conversion in Exta Man was an obvious facet for the team to improve upon before Sunday's game v Germany.

The game will be played in a lake near Duisberg, as part of commemorative celebrations of 100 years of Water Polo at the Sparkass Duisberg club.

Final scores Germany 8 - Australia 4

Scorers - S Lewis, D Will, D Young, T Whalan.

Best Players, Rhys Howden, Thomas Whalan, James Stanton, David Will.

Senior women’s report
         
Tour Match  vs  Spain, Samartzidis Cup, Athens.

Fourteen hours can be a long time in sport as the Aussie Stingers have proven with a reversal of fortune winning their game against Spain 11 to 7 in Athens this morning. The game was played in extremely hot conditions and did not quite reach the tempo of yesterdays encounter with Russia. The Stingers continue to experiment with players and combinations and used the bench to full advantage giving all players pool time. With a much improved defence they controlled most the game keeping the Spanish to three goals from nine in extra. Head Coach Greg McFadden said that he “was happy with the game but 6 on 5 attack needs some work”.
Goal scorers: Kate Gynther 3, Nicola Zagame 2, Holly Lincoln-Smith, Glencora Ralph, Sophie Smith, Melissa Rippon, Bronwen Knox 1 
Penalties: Australia 0   Spain 1/1 Major
Fouls: Australia 5/8     Spain 3/9
Shots: Australia 30    Spain 23
Saves: Australia  9       Spain 7
Turnovers: Australia 12 [3 offensive fouls, 3 bad passes, 6 lost ball] Spain 9

Manager Jon Sieben’s report on Student Games Unavailable

Results:
Samartzidis Cup, senior women, Athens, Greece:
Day 1: Russia 14 Australia 3 (H Lincoln-Smith, B Knox, N Zagame), Italy 12 Spain 10, Russia 12 Greece 6.
Day 2: Australia 11 (K Gynther 3, N Zagame 2, H Lincoln-Smith, G Ralph, S Smith, M Rippon, B Knox) Spain 7, Italy 9 Russia 8, Greece 9 Australia 6, Russia 10 Spain 7.
Friendly International, senior men, Duisberg, Germany: Germany 8 Australia 4 (S Lewis, D Will, D Young, T Whalan).
Universiade, Belgrade, Serbia, day 4:
Men:
Group A: Croatia 17 France 6, Serbia 13 Mexico 2. Final points: Serbia 6, Croatia 4, France 2, Mexico 0.
Group B: Australia 7 (S Cody, R Maitland 2, A Younger, J Swift, B Miller) Greece 5,  Montenegro 14 Canada 7. Final points: Australia 6, Greece 4, Montenegro 2, Canada 0.
Group C: Italy 27 China 3, Spain 8 Russia 7. Final points: Russia 4, Italy 4, Spain 4, China 0.
Group D: Hungary 9 USA 8, Japan 18 Poland 5. Progress points: Hungary 6, USA 3, Japan 3, Poland 0.

Men hammer Montenegro; women lose to Hungary at Student Games; women dumped in Athens
Belgrade, Serbia (July 3).— While the Australian men were thumping reigning champion Montenegro, the women lost a heart-stopper to Hungary in day-three water polo action at the World Student Games in Belgrade today.

The men hammered Montenegro 16-6, doing the major damage in the first and third periods (4-1 and 6-1) with Richie Campbell and Jarrod Gilchrist leading the way with four goals each.

The women nearly clawed back to a draw after a horror first half when trailing 8-3. It was 9-7 at the final break but too far to reach the Hungarians and Australia has now suffered its first loss.

Rowie Webster continues to show her class with three goals for Australia.

The Aussie men must now be regarded as a major threat in the 16-team competition and just need to sweep aside Greece, a 12-5 winner over Canada, to seal top spot in group play tomorrow.

The women have a rest day tomorrow and will play China on Sunday.

Manager Jon Sieben’s men's report
It is with great pleasure that I can send this report through to you
Well the Australian boys continued on their winning way. It was a fantastic result beating defending champions Montenegro 16 - 6. The Australian men swam their opponents out of the competition scoring 5 Counter Attack goals. They were excellent in Extra man attack scoring 6 from 7 and allowing 3 from 8 in defence. Once again there were many contributors in an all-round team performance. Richie Campbell had a great game in both attack and defence scoring 4 goals and along with Anthony Martin created created havoc in defence. Jarrod Gilchrist continues to score goals from no where and scored 4 goals. Billy Miller and Johnno Cotterill continued to swim the Montenegrins up and down the pool and were everywhere. All players contributed and played their role when called upon by head coach Paul Oberman. Luke Quinlivan had a strong game in goals and came up with some excellent saves.  

Stingers go down heavily in Athens

The Aussie Stingers women didn’t have a smart start to their European tour, losing 14-3 to Russia at the Samartzidis Cup in Athens, Greece. Italy beat Spain 12-10 and Russia also defeated Greece 12-6.

After a close first quarter the Stingers had no answers to the Russian team as they surged to an easy win at the Samartzidis Cup in Athens on Friday night. The Stingers are using this tournament as a build up for the upcoming FINA World Championships in Rome and are experimenting with new combinations and tactics. This is one of the biggest losing margins they have suffered in a long time, while the score was embarrassing the first half could have been much closer but missed opportunities and a lack of aggression cost them dearly. The turning point came in the second quarter when the Russians scored two quick goals to take them to a 4 to 1 lead at halftime and a convincing 14 to 3 final score. The best players were Holly Lincon-Smith, Nicola Zagame, Danielle Bower and Jane Moran. Rebbeca Rippon and Alicia McCormack were rested because of illness.

Score: Australia 3 Russia 14
Goal scorers: Holy Lincon Smith 1,Bronwyn Knox 1,Nicola Zagame 1
Penalties: Australia 1 -1, Russia 0
Majors Fouls: Australia 0-6 Russia 3-6
Shots: Australia 26 Russia 29
Saves: Australia 9 Russia 7 
Turnovers: Australia19 (3 offensive fouls, 8 bad passes, 8 lost ball) Russia 11
 

Results:
Universiade, Belgrade, Serbia, day 3:
Men:
Group A: Croatia 19 Mexico 8, Serbia 12 France 3. Progress points: Serbia 4, Croatia 2, France 2, Mexico 0.
Group B: Australia 16 (R Campbell, J Gilchrist 4, A Younger, N O’Halloran 2, R Maitland, J Swift, B Miller, J Cotterill) Montenegro 6, Greece 12 Canada 5. Progress points: Australia 4, Greece 4, Montenegro 0, Canada 0.
Group C: Russia 24 China 2, Italy 9 Spain 4. Progress points: Russia 4, Italy 2, Spain 2, China 0.
Group D: USA 16 Poland 3, Hungary 12 Japan 6. Progress points: Hungary 4, USA 3, Japan 1, Poland 0.

Women:
Group A: Russia 18 Serbia 4, Canada 10 Japan 5. Progress points: Russia 4, Canada 4, Serbia 0, Japan 0.
Group B: Hungary 11 Australia 10 (R Webster 3, L Callahan, E Rossato 2, J Whitehorn, M Hammond, S Mills), China 20 Italy 4. Progress points: China 4, Hungary 2, Australia 2, Italy 0.

Maitland's mob rips apart Canada at Student Games
Belgrade, Serbia (July 2).—
Australia ripped apart Canada 20-0 in their opening round of men’s water polo matches at the World Student Games in Belgrade today.

The all-round effort limited Canada to 12 shots on goals, moving from 7-0 at halftime to an incredible 16-0 by the end of the third period.

Every field player scored goals with both goalkeepers — Luke Quinlivan and John Hahn — playing a half each.

The Aussies tomorrow play Montenegro who lost 6-3 to Greece in the Group B of the 16-team tournament.

Manager Jon Sieben's report

The boys have started off the tournament in great style with 20-0. They started the game at a high intensity and never let up throughout the whole game. All players got on the scoreboard and both goal keepers (Quinlivan & Hahn) played a half each. An excellent defensive effort restricted Canada to 12 shots. A number of block shots and steals especially from Campbell, Maitland and Gilchrist created 11 Counter Attack goals. Australia scored 2 from 4 in extra man and stopped Canada from scoring in their 4 extra man attacks.

It was an all-round team performance with the senior players contributing well especially Rob Maitland both in attack & defence. He was obviously still on a high after carry the flag at the opening ceremony. The younger players stepped up and didn't drop the intensity when given their opportunities and continued to contribute to great team result.  
A fantastic start - bring on Montenegro tomorrow who will be upset after losing to Greece 6 - 3

It was a rest day for the women today. 

Results:
Universiade, Belgrade, Serbia, day 2:
Men:
Group A: France 13 Mexico 8, Serbia 11 Croatia 8.
Group B: Australia 20 (R Maitland, J Cotterill 3, S Cody, A Martin, A Younger, J Swift, A Roach 2, R Campbell, N O’Halloran, J Gilchrist, B Miller) Canada 0, Greece 6 Montenegro 3,
Group C: Russia 8 Italy 5, Spain 22 China 1.
Group D: Hungary 12 Poland 3, Japan 8 USA 8.

Aussie women stop Italy at Student Games
Belgrade, Serbia (July 1).—
Australia survived a lightning strike and a shift of pools to beat Italy 11-9 in the opening round of women’s water polo matches at the World Student Games in Belgrade.

Australia trailed 5-4 at halftime but levelled at 6-6 by the final break and won the last period 5-3.

Rowie Webster was the star with five goals, three from outside five metres and one from the penalty line.

Australia scored one from one on extra thanks to Elise Rossato while Italy converted all three of its chances.

Australia’s next match is against Hungary, who lost to China 11-8. In the other group Russia defeated Japan 12-3 and Canada beat Serbia 9-3.

The Australian men start their campaign tomorrow against Canada.

Results:
Universiade, Belgrade, Serbia, women, day 1:
Group A: Russia 12 Japan 3, Canada 9 Serbia 3.
Group B: Australia 11 (R Webster 5, E Rossato, S Mills 2, L Callahan, J Whitehorn) Italy 9, China 11 Hungary 8.