M2007 Draw & Info

Congratulations to Kate Gynther and Mel Rippon who have been voted in the best team in the world as decided by selected media at the 12th FINA World Championships.


The silver medallists were selected as part of the following team:

All Star Team – by media representatives
Elisabeth Armstrong (USA) - goalkeeper
Sofia Konukh (RUS)
Kate Gynther (AUS)
Lauren Wenger (USA)
Blanca Gil (ESP)
Melissa Rippon (AUS)
Ágnes Primász (HUN) 

Silver Ending to World Champs
Australian Water Polo Inc would like to congratulate the women's team for winning the silver medal at the World Championships.
After winning five games straight the Stingers went down in a nail biting game to the USA by one goal and are now focused on revenge at the 2008 Olympics.
We would also like to congratulate the men's team who had a tough tournament finishing 10th, but who can take some positives out of their three one goal losses, especially to Croatia, the eventual Gold Medallists.
Thank you also to all the team officials, coaches, volunteers, staff and supporters who helped make the 12th FINA World Championships a very memorable one.  

31 March 07 - Women
Silver lining for Stingers
Australia and the USA gave a packed Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre a classic battle today in the Gold Medal match, with the USA coming away one goal winners.
The first half was a dour struggle with both teams managing only one goal each, thanks to great saves by both goalkeepers.
In the second half the goals were more free flowing with the teams going goal for goal before the USA snuck ahead with just minutes on the clock.
The USA held this lead, and won the Gold Medal, with Australia claiming the silver medal.
Scores:
Australia - 5: Kate Gynther (2), Nikita Cuffe, Bronwen Knox, Mel Rippon (1)
United States Of America - 6: Lauren Wenger (3), Brenda Villa (2), Moriah Van Norman (1)

30 March 07 - Men
Another one goal loss puts Sharks in 10th
The Aussie team lost in another cliff-hanger today going down to the USA 10 - 9 in their battle for 9th position.
The Sharks played much better than their first encounter with the USA where they lost by six goals, but still struggled to make the most of a number of good opportunities.
Scores:
Australia - 9: Thomas Whalan (3), Daniel Marsden, Trent Franklin, Pietro Figlioli, Timothy Neesham, Samuel Mcgregor, Gavin Woods (1)
United States Of America - 10: Jeff Powers (3), Kevin Witt, Tony Azevedo (2), Layne Beaubien, Peter Varellas, Ryan Bailey (1)  

29 March 07 - Women
Aussies go for gold after beating Russia
Australia has made their first World Championships final in over 20 years after narrowly beating Russia in their semi-final tonight.
Starting well, the Aussies went out to a 5 - 1 lead, before the Russians fought back to take the lead 7 - 6 mid way through the third quarter.
The Aussies dug deep and scored four goals straight through the Rippon sisters and Gemma Beadsworth, before winning the game 12 - 9.
The Australian team will take on fierce rivals the USA in a much anticipated match, their first major final against each other since Australia's last second win in the gold medal match at the Sydney Olympics.
Scores: Australia - 12: Kate Gynther (4), Gemma Beadsworth, Nikita Cuffe, Rebecca Rippon, Mel Rippon (2)
Russia - 9: Ekaterina Pantyulina (3), Sofya Konukh, Nadezda Glyzina (2), Elena Smurova, Natalia Shepelina (1)  

28 March 07 - Men
Sharks strike back against Romania
The Australian team showed strength of character tonight as they came back from their heartbreaking loss to beat Romania in their game at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
Despite their last second loss to Italy putting them out of medal play offs, the Sharks managed to keep their motivation and beat Romania 15 - 9.
Team veteran Gavin Woods continued his vintage form scoring four goals, and he was well supported the team's other elder statesmen in Thomas Whalan and Tim Neesham.
Australia's win has now set up a classic re-match against the USA on Friday morning with the Aussies keen to make up for their thrashing in the first game of the tournament.
Scores:
Australia - 15: Gavin Woods (4), Timothy Neesham, Trent Franklin (3), Thomas Whalan (2), Pietro Figlioli, Robert Maitland, Anthony Martin (1)
Romania - 9: Gheorghe Dunca (4), Cosmin Radu, Andrei Iosep, Andrei Busilja, George Georgescu, Alexandru Matei (1)

27 March 07 - Women
Italians stung by Aussie Stingers
The Aussie Stingers came out in top gear tonight against the Italian team, searching for a semi-final spot and looking to exact revenge for the men's loss last night.
With three quick goals in the first quarter, the Aussies established a good lead and were never headed.
Great work from Suzie Fraser, Mel Rippon and Taniele Gofers saw Australia extend its lead to 7 goals in the final quarter and they were never headed, cruising to victory 12 - 8.
Australia is now in the semi-finals against Russia on Thursday night.
Scores:
Australia - 12: Suzie Fraser, Taniele Gofers, Kate Gynther (2), Gemma Beadsworth, Nikita Cuffe, Rebecca Rippon, Gemma Hadley, Bronwen Knox, Melissa Rippon (1)
Italy - 8: Tania Di Mario (4), Silvia Bosurgi (2), Martina Miceli, Giulia Enrica Emmolo (1)  

26 March 07 - Men
Shocked Sharks go out in heartbreaking loss
A gusty Australian men's team were bundled out of medal contention tonight in the last second of extra time after putting on a memorable display against the higher ranked Italians.
In a physical match the Australians surged ahead in the third quarter getting a three goal lead, which remained with just over six minutes to go in the match.
The Italians staged a comeback and grabbed the lead before Tim Neesham scored to take the game into extra time with only 18 seconds left on the clock.
In extra time both teams went goal for goal in the first period, before Italy got one ahead with just 42 seconds to go, but the brave Aussie outfit struck back again with 6 seconds left.
With both teams looking towards a penalty shoot out, Italian Felugo scored a miracle goal from half way with one second remaining leaving the gallant Sharks and the Aussie supporters shattered.
Scores: 
Australia - 11: Pietro Figlioli (3), Timothy Neesham, Sam McGregor, Gavin Woods (2), Johnno Cotterill, Jamie Beadsworth  (1)
Italy - 12: Murizio Felugo, Fabio Bencivenga, Luigi di Contsanzo (3), Franceso Postiglione, Alex Giorgetti,  Alessandra Calcaterra (1) 

24 March 07 - Men
Sharks get breakthrough win, as form improves at the right time
Australia had their first win of the World Championships today with a 12 - 6 win over South Africa.
In a must win match, the Aussies started slowly yet again, but showed some of their form from the Croatian game to beat the lower ranked South Africans.
The game saw Trent Franklin return to form with four goals, and he was well supported by Rob Maitland who stepped up a level from his good game against Croatia.
The Australians now have their sights set on a game against Italy on Monday night with the winner getting one step closer to the medal round of games.
Scores:
Australia - 12: Trent Franklin (4), Rob Maitland (3), Thomas Whalan, Johnno Cotterill, Tim Neesham, Gavin Woods, Sam McGregor (1)
South Africa - 6: Ryan Bell (2), Etienne Le Roux, Kevin O'Brien, Adam Kajee, Donn Stewart (1)  

23 March 07 - Women
Aussies take out group with solid win over Brazil
Australia completed a clean sweep of their group with a well fought 11 - 3 win over Brazil tonight.
Australia took only 11 seconds to register their first goal through Kate Gynther, who scored another 3 goals throughout the match.
A slow second and third quarter allowed Brazil to keep the Australians from scoring, but the No.1 ranked team in the world, soon found their game again to run out 8 goal winners.
As top of the group Australia will now get three days off and will play a quarter final match on Tuesday night.
Score: Australia - 11: Kate Gynther (4), Taniele Gofers (2), Gemma Beadsworth, Amy Hetzel, Nikita Cuffe, Rebecca Rippon, Suzie Fraser
Brazil - 3: Ana Ca Vasconcelos, Luiza Carvahlo, Flavia Fernandes  

22 March 07 - Men
Courageous Aussies go down in thriller
A packed MSAC was electrifying tonight as Australia staged a miraculous comeback from 6 -1 down to tie the scores with minutes remaining in their match with Croatia.
A slow start was countered by an amazing burst from the Australian team headlined by four goals from Pietro Figlioli including the fastest shot for the tournament to date, and four goals from veteran Gavin Woods.
In the end, the Croatians managed to hold on, but the Australian team will be encouraged by their performance which they will hope to continue in their must win game against South Africa.
Scores: Australia - 9: Pietro Figlioli,Gavin Woods (4), Robert Maitland (1),
Croatia - 10: Miro Boscovic (4), Zdeslav Vrdoljak (2), Damir Buric, Aljosa Kunac, Maro Jokovic, Pavo Markovic (1)

21 March 07 - Women
Australia punish Puerto Rico
The Australians game out in top gear tonight in their game against Puerto Rico.
Warmed up after their cliff-hanger against Canada, the Aussies didn't look back beating Puerto Rico 26 - 1.
Nikita Cuffe, Kate Gynther and Gemma Hadley starred with each scoring at least five goals.
The game also saw the come back from Bec Rippon after her hand operation and she was in fine form.
Australia now take on Brazil on Friday night. 
SCORE:
Australia - 26: Nikita Cuffe (6), Kate Gynther (6), Gemma Hadley (5), Suzie Fraser (3), Bronwen Knox (2), Taniele Gofers (1), Mia Santomorito (1), Melissa Rippon (1), Amy Hetzel (1)
Puerto Rico - 1: Paola Medina (1)

20 March 07 - Men
Aussies go down after slow start
Four successive goals for the USA in the first quarter put Australia on the back foot for their first World Championships match, and they couldn't recover for the rest of the game.
Despite having plenty of possession and shots at goal the Australians struggled to convert their opportunities with the USA taking out a 9 -3 victory.
SCORE:
Australia: 3 - Trent Franklin (1), Pietro Figlioli (1), Thomas Whalan (1),
United States Of America: 9 - Adam Wright (1), Kevin Witt (3), Tony Azevedo (3), Jesse Smith (2)  

19 March 2007 - Women
Australia start Championships with tight win
Australia has started their World Championships campaign with a come from behind win against Canada.
In a tightly contested match the Aussies went goal for goal with the Canadians until the final quarter when Taniele Gofers sealed the win for the World No.1 team.
Gofers goal was just reward for her solid game, and she was well supported by captain Mel Rippon, Gemma Beadsworth and Suzie Fraser.
The Australians will now turn their sights to Puerto Rico and are expected to win this game.
SCORE
Australia 5 - Canada 4
Australia: Gemma Beadsworth (2), Taniele Gofers, Mia Santoramito, Mel Rippon
Canada: Cora Campbell, Christine Robinson, Christine Robinson (2)  

Australian Water Polo Teams for 12th FINA World Championships

Head Coach - Men: David Neesham
Head Coach - Women: Greg McFadden