Hungary wins both Olympic Youth Festival golds
By Russell McKinnon, AWPI Media Manager Sydney (January 18).— Hungary snared both gold medals on offer at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival water polo tournament at Parramatta Pool today.
The men, European champions, muscled past Greece 10-8 after being 5-0 up at quarter time while the women needed extra time to get up over Australia.
Australia’s women were never headed in four quarters with Hungary grabbing the final equaliser for 9-9 nearly seven minutes from the end of normal time.
Hungary then slotted the winner in the first period of extra time while the second period sawAustralia miss two extra-man advantage opportunities.
Australia collected the men’s bronze medal with a 21-1 thumping of China.
The women’s bronze-medal match saw Greece turn a 5-3 halftime lead into a 13-9 victory thanks to the return of Beijing Olympian Christina TSOUKALA, who scored four goals.
The standout players of the tournament were Hungarians Daniel Angyal (16) and women’s goalkeeper-cum-centre forward Aniko Gyongyossy (18).
Angyal towers over his opponents at 203cm and his youthfulness means will become a great asset to Hungarian teams for many years to come.
Gyongyossy was superb in goal, elevating herself to great heights. A centre forward in younger years, she converted to the goalmouth but still spends time in the field when her coach allows.
Hungary — gold | Greece — silver | Australia — bronze |
Hungary — gold | Australia — silver | Greece — bronze |
Game 16: 13:00, men, gold medal, HUNGARY 10 GREECE 8
HUNGARY: Marcell MEIXNER, Balasz KORENYI (2), Krisztian LACZKOVICS (1), Bertalan RUSZ (1), Attila LAZAR, Mark EMYEI, Zoltan VERECZKEY, Adam SZENTESI (1), Istvan KERESZTES, Gabor Andras ANTAL, Tibor FAZEKAS (1), Daniel ANGYAL (4), Botond BARABAS. Head Coach: Szilard DEREKAS.
GREECE: Nikolaos KERAMEIANAKIS, Leontios KOUKIS (1), Dimitrios Georgios LAPPAS, Antonios XENAKIS (1), Dimosthenis DERMITZAKIS, Konstantinos GENIDOUNIAS (), Kyriakos PONTIKEAS, Konstantinos Marios VITELLAS, Angelos VLACHOPOULOS (3), Marios KAPOTSIS (2), Theodoros KASTANAKIS (1), Emmanouil SOLANAKIS, Efstratios Maximos KECHAGIAS. Head Coach: Periklis DAMASKOS.
Referees: Michael HART (AUS), Nicola JOHNSON (AUS).
Quarters: 5-0, 2-2, 1-3, 2-3
Hungary gained the second gold medal of the afternoon with a victory Greece who refused to lie down after a horrendous start. Most people thought the game was over when Hungary went from a five-goal head start at quarter time to 6-0 and 7-2 by halftime. The game looked safe but Greece fought back and made a game of it by trimming the margin to three by the final break. Three times Greece came within two goals of Hungary but the taller, stronger and more confident Hungarians maintained composure enough to be three up with a minute remaining, only to allow an extra-man goal past its wall 12 seconds from time.
FLASH QUOTES
Szilard DEREKAS (HUN) — head coach
On winning gold:
“It was good and we really started well but did not play so well in the second half. Our goalkeeper had a fantastic game and that helped a lot.”
Periklis DAMASKOS (GRE) — head coach
Unavailable
Game 15: 11:30, men, bronze medal, AUSTRALIA 21 CHINA 1
AUSTRALIA: James CLARK, Jeremy DAVIE (1), Adam POLIVKA (2), Wade EAMES (3), Michael DE GAIL (3), James FANNON (1), Lyndon CRANLEY (1), Aaron YOUNGER (2), Jack COLLIER (1), Paul SINDONE (2), Jakeb BURTON (2), Matthew GILES (2), Edward SLADE (1). Head Coach: Simon DALEY.
CHINA: LI Zhenhui, LIANG Nianxiang, HUANG Weijie, CHEN Junxian, HU Qingxi, CHEN Qidong (1), LIANG Yuxin, WU Zhirong, WEN Jiashan, DONG Kangkang, LI Yongxuan. Head Coach: WU Yabao.
Referees: Megan VARLOW (AUS), Ilias DAMIANAKIS (GRE).
Quarters: 3-0, 6-0, 7-0, 5-1
Australia claimed the bronze medal with a romp born of frustration at having made the gold-medal final. Only goalkeeper and captain James CLARK did not score a goal for Australia as the other goalie, Edward SLADE made his mark early in the fourth period. China made Australia work in the first quarter but the superior firepower and size meant Australia could steal the ball at will and make plenty of scoring chances.
FLASH QUOTES:
Simon DALEY (AUS) – head coach
On the tournament:
“It was good to get the feel of the best European teams, especially Hungary. Third is not where we wanted to finish but now we have to work hard in the next eight months (before the world championships in Croatia).
“It has been a phenomenal tournament with four teams. The timing was brilliant and to see Greece and Hungary before the world championships and to get a feel for international water polo on home soil, which does not come around enough.”
On how his players performed:
“The object today was just go out and play without pressure and respect China. For me as a coach it gave me a chance to see how players performed against teams like that.”
Michael DE GAIL (AUS) – driver
On playing China for bronze:
“It was obviously an anticlimax after a tough loss to Greece (knocking Australia out of the final). However, we were still playing for our country. They gave us a pretty good fight in the first quarter but we had to push and counter attack. It was a disappointment not being in the gold-medal final.”
On the lead-up to the world championships:
“Hungary knows we are not far behind and will try and knock them off in Croatia. The object is to win the tournament (in August).”
Aaron YOUNGER (AUS)
On finishing third:
“It’s not really where we wanted to finish but we let ourselves down against Greece. We now have eight months before the real tournament where we hope to lift our game and produce better water polo.”
On the Chinese:
“They are very nippy and always in your face. They were an opposition you had to keep your eye on.
On motivation for the game:
“We proved where we should have been and not playing for bronze. We had no target but we kept our focus on defence and kept them goalless until the final minute.”
WU Yabao (CHN) — head coach
On the tournament:
“It was a good learning experience because there was not much pressure (to win) and the players could produce their best. We had no pre-arranged goals coming into the tournament, which allowed the players to relax and enjoy the games. All the players are enthusiastic about water polo and have enjoyed their time here.”
LI Zhenhui (CHN) — goalkeeper
On whether playing the tournament made him a better player:
“I thought we accomplished our goals and we learnt a lot about our actions and positioning in the water and particularly about how other teams hold the ball on attack.”
On what he would take back to China:
“I have improved on every aspect of my game but we need to improve our strength and our skills to compete at this level.”
Game 14: 10:00, women, gold medal, AUSTRALIA 10 HUNGARY 9 in extra time (FT: 9-9)
AUSTRALIA: Serena REID, Zoe ARANCINI (4), Genevieve VENOSTA, Stephanie THOMAS, Isobel BISHOP, Sarah GRUNBERGER, Rachel FLINT (1), Breanna APPEL (2), Kayle LEATHEM, Ashleigh SOUTHERN (1), Emma Jo GRAHAME (1), Claire PIERCE, Kelsey WAKEFIELD. Head Coach: Peter SZILAGYI.
HUNGARY: Reka SZILAGYI, Patricia JANCSO (3), Dora ANTAL (2), Dora CZIGANY, Anna KERTES, Rita KESZTHELYI (4), Nikoletta PENGO, Blanka BERTA, Dora KOVACS, Petra PARDI, Hanna Anna KISTELEKI, Noemi SOMHEGYI (1), Aniko GYONGYOSSY. Head Coach: Andras MERESZ.
Referees: Ilias DAMIANAKIS (GRE), Nikolaos BOUDRAMIS (GRE).
Quarters: 3-3, 3-4, 2-1. 1-1, 1-0, 0-0
Hungary emerged from extra time to win the gold medal over a plucky Australia who had plenty of opportunities to win but could not beat the strong defence. The only time Australia was behind was in the first period of extra time when Hungarian heroine Rita KESZTHELYI scored her fourth goal 30 seconds from time. Australia held a 3-1 lead in the first and 6-4 in the second but Hungary kept coming back. Hungary drew level at three, four, six, seven, eight and nine, the last at 6:24 in the final quarter. Neither side could penetrate and Hungarian goalkeeper Aniko GYONGYOSSY had a stint in the field in the later part of the game only to head back into goal before full time. The winning goal came on extra, two minutes after Australia’s Zoe ARANCINI had her penalty attempt blocked by Gyongyossy. Twice Australia had extra in the second period of extra but no goal came.
FLASH QUOTES:
Peter SZILAGYI (AUS) — head coach
On missing the gold medal.
“It is most annoying and we only trailed in extra time, which is not good. But it was our first international final for this team and we forced the Hungarians to go to extra time. On this stage they are better than us as they beat us twice in a row. It is the beginning of a long journey to Siberia (for the world championships) in August.”
On the tournament:
“I was happy with some of the performances in the tournament and the training camp beforehand and also unhappy with some. The girls need to learn how to prepare for a training camp so that we can have success in August.”
Zoe ARANCINI — captain and four-goal scorer
On heading into extra time:
“I was pretty nervous but the team was quite strong and knew we could beat them.”
On the match:
“It was pretty physical. It was a strong, physical and good match.”
On losing the gold medal:
“It’s disappointing but we did go to extra time and we were always close. There’s always a next time so we will now work on some things.”
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — head coach
On winning the final:
“We are so happy because Australia are very, very good and very, very clever. I wish everybody could get gold medals.”
On the tournament:
“We come from Europe and the temperature is minus 20 degrees. We come here and the weather is good. We played four games for four wins. We are happy. We hope we can come back to the AYOF.”
Aniko GYONGYOSSY (HUN) — goalkeeper and centre forward
On her ability to play both positions:
“I started my career at centre forward and then moved to goalkeeper. I like both positions. I like shooting and saving goals.”
On the victory:
“I am very happy that we won. I tried my best all game.”
Game 13: 08:30, women, bronze medal, CHINA 9 GREECE 13
CHINA: LIU Jingsi, ZHU Jiyi (2), GAO Weiyi (1), FU Shiqian, ZHANG Yang, WANG Minxia, ZHANG Mengyang, LI Shujin, LI Shuwei (4), XI Yueliang (1), SUN Huizi (1), QIAO Leiying. Head Coach: FAN Wei.
GREECE: Eleni GOULA, Eleni Niki SAMARA, Eleni KITSOU, Antonia VASILA, Evdokia TETZALIDOU (5), Kleopatra Eleni CHATZIALEXI, Georgia KOULIERAKI, Christina TSOUKALA (4), Maria PANOUSAKI, Eleni FARNAKI (1), Magdalini TZIMA (3), Ioulia GARYFALLOU, Dimitra STAMATIADOU. Head Coach: Konstantinos PETRAKIS.
Referees: Nicola Johnson (AUS), Megan VARLOW (AUS).
Quarters: 1-2, 2-3, 3-5, 3-3
Greece came away with the bronze medal in a spirited game where skilful play was rewarded. Greece thanked the return of Beijing Olympian Christina TSOUKALA who has been sidelined for two games through illness. Tsoukala scored her four goals in the first three quarters before China double-teamed her. This left Evdokia TETZALIDOU to smash in three of her five goals in the final period. Greece was never headed and was 5-1 ahead in the second period at one stage and stretched the margin to 9-3 midway through the third quarter. At 12-6, Greece had the game won but lowered its guard and let in three goals in just over a minute before shutting up shop and adding another in the final minute.
FLASH QUOTES
FAN Wei (CHN) — head coach
On the match:
“Today Greece played very good. We lost a lot of chances but our players tried their best.
On the tournament:
“Firstly, I have no regrets. My purpose was to train our team and it has been good training for the future. We have learnt from other (top) teams.”
On the main aim for the year:
“To finish in the top three at the world championships (in Russia in August). We will try our best in more competitions and gain more experience.”
“Today we were more aggressive. We were better”, said Greek player Eleni Goula.
Konstantinos PETRAKIS (GRE) — head coach
On the match:
“It was the fourth training today. The first day we didn’t have any tactics when we got into the pool because it was our first time as a team playing together.”
“You see every player is a piece of the puzzle. You have to put them in the right position to make a good team.”
On the tournament:
“It was a very good festival. It was a good opportunity for all the teams to be together. To visit and see the beautiful city of Sydney we thank you a lot.”
Aussies lose twice at Olympic Youth Festival Sydney (January 16).— Australia had a day to forget at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival water polo tournament at Parramatta Swimming Pool today.
Firstly the women lost to Hungary 10-9 after being a goal up with less than two minutes remaining and secondly the Aussie men lost to world champion Hungary 8-6.
While a loss for the Aussie women was not important as they will clash with Hungary in tomorrow morning’s gold-medal final, the men’s loss was fateful.
Australia needed to beat Hungary by five goals and force a three-way tie along with Greece and go into the final on goal differential, always a tough ask.
Hungary will now play Greece for gold and in the bronze-medal play-off, Australia will play China, who lost 29-3 to Greece today.
The women’s bronze-medal match, starting at 8.30am, will see third-placed China take on winless Greece.
Game 12: 19:30, men, AUSTRALIA 6 HUNGARY 8
Referees: Michael HART (AUS), Nikolaos BOUDRAMIS (GRE).
Quarters: 1-3, 1-1, 3-4, 1-0
Hungary secured top slot in the tournament with a tight victory over Australia, who needed a five-goal victory to go through to the gold-medal final. It wasn’t to be as Hungary had too much firepower, an older team and more experience. There were 13 goal-scorers for the 14 goals as Hungary controlled the first half. Australia opened up in the third period and won the last but it just wasn’t enough, meaning Hungary will play Greece for the gold and Australia has to be content with a bronze-medal clash against China.
FLASH QUOTES
Simon DALEY (AUS) — head coach
On the team fulfilling his expectations:
“They absolutely did to my expectations and they showed true Australian spirit in giving the current European youth champions a real crack.”
On the world championships in Croatia in August:
“It’s been a real learning experience for the team in feeling out the strong opposition we will encounter.”
Wade EAMES (AUS) — left-hander
On the Australian game plan against Hungary:
“It was to stick it to them as much as possible and to play a more European style of water polo with a heavy press and getting up high for blocks.”
On what would have given Australia victory:
“As the coach said, it’s just the last five centimetres to the goals. The shots were correct but they just would not go in.”
James CLARK (AUS) — captain and goalkeeper
On if the team was emotionally prepared for the Hungarians:
“All the boys were really pumped before the game. It was our last preliminary game to hopefully get to the final and against the European champion team.”
Marcell Meixner
About the game?
There was good defence and good attacks so everything was ok.
What did you think of the aussies?
They are really good it was a hard game and they are really really good players
Andras Gabor Antal
We had to players on number 8 and number 4 so we didn’t let them shoot.
Expectations tomorrow?
Of we will win tomorrow. It will be a hard game but will beat them.
Szilard Derekas Coach
Thoughts on game?
It was a really good game
Why was it different to other games?
We had to do better than the aussies.
Game 11: 18:00, men, CHINA 3 GREECE 29
Referees: Megan VARLOW (AUS), TIAN Shuan (CHN).
Quarters: 0-8, 2-8, 1-4, 0-9
China felt the full wrath of Greece who used the match as a warm-up for the gold-medal final. China, whose players all hail from the same school, struggled against the 
onslaught of a stronger and more savvy Greek combination. The quarter scores score how strong they were despite a slower third period. CHEN Qidong once again topped China’s scoring but even he was not finding the space as in the previous two matches. Four Greek players scored four or more goals and only two field players failed to find the net.
FLASH QUOTES:
Periklis DAMASKOS (GRE) — head coach
On the match:
“It was an easy game. China is a very new team. They are trying to make better for the future and are working hard.”
On the final tomorrow:
“We will try to well if we win or lose. It will go either way.”
Konstantinos GENIDOUNIAS (GRE) — right wing
On the victory:
“It was a pretty easy victory. The Chinese are not very experienced so it was easy for us to do well.”
On the fact they all come from the same school in China:
“It’s very impressive that they all come from the same school and are able to play at this level.”
Kyriakos PONTIKEAS (GRE) — driver
On the final against Hungary:
“It will be a hard match tomorrow but we will do our best to win.”
WU Yabao (CHN) — head coach
On his team’s effort:
“We are all learning every game. We are all very young with only one play over 18 and the rest under-16 and we are all from the same school.”
HU Qingxi (CHN) — shooter
On how he thought his team went:
“It’s better than the previous two games and we are slowly adapting to the conditions and situations in the tournament.”
LI Zhenhui (CHN) — centre forward
On the tournament:
“It’s a good experience playing the best teams in the world and in tomorrow’s game we will play our best but who we play is not a problem.”
Game 10: 16:30, women, AUSTRALIA 9 HUNGARY 10
Referees: Michael HART (AUS), Ilias DAMIANAKIS (GRE).
Quarters: 2-2, 2-2, 2-3, 3-3
It was not the result Australia wanted but then again it was a prelude to tomorrow’s final. Hungary takes the bragging rights into the gold-medal final but either team could have won in what was a fast-moving, powerful encounter between two crack teams. 
Australia had to level three times before taking the lead in the second quarter only to see Hungary level by halftime. Hungary gained a two-goal margin the third but by the third minute of the final quarter Australia led 8-7. Australia’s standout player, co-captain Breanna APPEL, drew a penalty foul at 1:52 remaining but handed the ball over to Ashleigh SOUTHERN to convert for 9-8. It looked Australia’s game but Dora KOVACS into an open goal from the deep right and then Nikoletta PENGO from the deep left, also on extra, gave Hungary the match. The score could have been the other way had APPEL not missed two penalty goal attempts in the third period.
FLASH QUOTES:
Peter SZILAGYI (AUS) — head coach
On the loss ahead of tomorrow’s final:
“I’m not happy. We wanted to win for sure even though we are already in the final of the competition. We made a couple of mistakes on defence and we couldn’t create opportunities in offence.”
On what will change for the final:
“We will improve tomorrow. We will look at the video of the match) and see which part was working and what wasn’t.”
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — head coach
On the game?
“It was very difficult. The Australian team is very strong and very clever. But I think my team in the last few weeks can be stronger and more clever than Australia.”
On tomorrow’s game:
“We come to Australia from Hungary, which is about 20,000 km away. We came to win gold. The next match will be like this one. We will win maybe by one or more goals.”
Game 9: 15:00, women, CHINA 13 GREECE 12
Referees: Nicola Johnson (AUS), TIAN Shuan (CHN).
Quarters: 3-4, 4-2, 2-3, 4-3
China overcame Greece in a tense and exciting battle in what determined third and fourth rankings ahead of tomorrow’s medal play-off. China went 3-1 up in the game but Greece levelled at three, four and six as China turned a goal up. Greece went on the offensive in the third period and shot to 9-7 ahead. Greek diligence and desire came through with two wuick goals late in the period for 9-9. Greece had trouble with the powerful Olympian QIAO Leiying, who added another three goals in the period for a tally of six as her team went 12-10 and 13-11 up with 90 seconds remaining. A late Eleni FARNAKI goal made it close but not close enough.
FLASH QUOTES
Konstantinos PETRAKIS (GRE) — head coach
On losing to China:
“It was just a training game mainly, for both of us.”
On whether he gained any knowledge for the return clash tomorrow:
“I want to make them better day by day. Some parts were better but we have problems in other parts but it is OK for the moment and we will play better tomorrow (in the bronze-medal decider).”
Magdalini TZIMA (GRE) — four-goal scorer
On whether she was disappointed with the loss:
“No, because we want to win but tomorrow is the main aim and we will win then.”
Dimitra STAMATIADOU (GRE) — goalkeeper
On the team’s performance ahead of the bronze-medal play-off:
“Today we played well but we can play better. We have not had enough training before (this event). Tomorrow is very important and we will win.”
On why the team did not win today:
“Because we do some little mistakes but we will try not to do them tomorrow. We know what they are and we will work on them.”
FAN Wei — head coach
On the performance:
“We performed really well this game and Greece played really well, too. We are very happy.”
On what are they are expecting tomorrow:
“We are looking forward to our victory.”
LIU Jingsi (CHN) — driver
On the game:
“It is our first time that we played Greece but we have watched the game between Australia and Greece and we know that our abilities are on the same level and we know that it is going to be a fight this game. I do not have a good position so in the beginning it was difficult to fight but in the end I became better.”
On tomorrow’s game:
“I didn’t expect to take a medal home because they came here for practical experience. They are really looking forward to take a bronze medal home. If we perform how we did today I think we are going to win.”
Final Points Tables
MEN
P W D L F A Pts
Hungary 3 3 - - 58 21 6
Greece 3 2 - 1 48 27 4
Australia 3 1 - 2 41 24 2
China 3 - - 3 15 90 0
WOMEN
Hungary 3 3 - - 49 33 6
Australia 3 2 - 1 49 28 4
China 3 1 - 2 38 49 2
Greece 3 - - 3 29 45 0
Greece upset Australian men at AYOF
By Russell McKinnon, AWPI Media Manager
Sydney (January 16).—
Greece upset Australia 10-8 on day two of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival water polo tournament at Parramatta Swimming Pool tonight.
The Aussie men watched Greece shoot to a 10-7 lead in the final quarter after being tied 7-7 at the last break.
The Aussies now need to beat competition leader Hungary tomorrow to finish in the top two and contest Sunday’s gold-medal final, probably against Hungary.
The Australian women fared better with a 13-8 victory over Greece while China pressed Hungary all the way before losing 20-15.
Australia and Hungary will play each other twice, in the final preliminary game tomorrow and in the final on Sunday.
Match reports:
Game 8: 19:30, men, AUSTRALIA 8 GREECE 10
Referees: Michael HART (AUS), Ilias DAMIANAKIS (GRE).
Quarters: 2-1, 2-4, 3-2, 1-3
This was the one that got away from Australia. Greece proved to be the better and more accurate team on the night while Australia had a multitude of shots, which could not make the net. Australia led the game early but Greece went ahead late in the second quarter. Australia drew level at six and seven by the end of the third period. Then, in the space of a minute, centre forward Leontios KOUKIS fired in two goals midway through the fourth. Dimitrios LAPPAS rubbed salt in the wound with an open goal on extra inside the final minute for a three-goal margin before Wade EAMES rocketed in a goal from deep left-hand catch in the final second off extra, leaving Australia with the daunting task of having to beat Hungary tomorrow for a place in the final.
FLASH QUOTES
Periklis DAMASKOS (GRE) — head coach
On how his team won the match:
“We tried to play but as we had no good preparation in this period we will take some good things for the future. To win in this period is not so interesting but when you win it is important.”
On the winning goals:
“We had two good centre-forward goals (to go two ahead) and we played better in defence.”
Dimitrios Georgios LAPPAS (GRE) — driver
On the match:
“It was a very good game and we played hard. We put in the goals when it mattered most. We increased the score to win.”
Konstantinos GENIDOUNIAS (GRE) — driver
On the victory:
“It was a really tough game but we all enjoyed it and were most enthusiastic. We were not necessarily the best team but our shots went in the goal while they had many chances.”
Simon DALEY (AUS) — head coach
On the loss:
“It’s disappointing, obviously. They capitalised on their chances and we just couldn’t get it into the back of the net. The better team won on the day.”
On the clash with Hungary tomorrow:
“One game against the Hungarians is going to come down to goal averages. It’s going to be a big hurdle but we can get over it.”
Adam POLIVKA (AUS) — left-hander
On the difference between teams:
“We kept up our game plan the whole way through and kept up our intensity but in the end they just wanted it a little bit more.”
On shot execution:
“We just need to practise our execution under the pump, which will pave the way for victory.”
James FANNON (AUS) — centre back
On what Australia needs to improve on:
“Our shots need work, especially past the blocker, which is a bit lazy out top.”
On the poor defence:
“We need to help crash back quicker. There were too many kick-outs with the centre back isolated.”
Aaron YOUNGER (AUS) — centre back
On scoring five goals for 13 from two matches:
“They were team goals. It just happened that people were working for me and the goals became open.”
Game 7: 18:00, men, CHINA 6 HUNGARY 34
Referees: Nicola JOHNSHON (AUS), Megan VARLOW (AUS).
Quarters: 2-9, 0-7, 1-7, 3-11
China was completely outclassed by the powerful Hungarians as the score suggests. China had trouble progressing the ball up the pool and rare forays inside the Hungarian five-metre zone meant meagre returns. Hungary could have scored more if it was put under more pressure as many shots hit the wood or were excellently saved by Chinese goalkeeper LI Zhenhui. The Chinese showed their enthusiasm with three of their six goals in the final quarter but Hungary’s 11-goal haul in the period was a tournament high. For Hungary it was no more than a training session while for China it shows the huge chasm that it must bridge to get into the top echelon of world water polo.
FLASH QUOTES
WU Yabao (CHN) — head coach
On competing against the best team in the world:
“I think it was a great privilege for the players, who are only 15 and 16 to see the real ability of a champion team at close range. They learned a lot. In the last quarter they were still playing.”
On scoring six goals against Hungary:
“To score six against a world champion team was very good. I am very satisfied and the team showed great spirit to score three of those in the last quarter, fighting for the best result.”
On the history of playing Hungary:
“I don’t think we have ever played Hungary at this level before. They are top and we are well below.”
On whether China will attend this year’s world championships:
“I hope so. The players are motivated. We will go back to trainings and fight really hard to make up the difference.”
Gabor SZABO (HUN) — assistant coach
On the game:
“It was good training and preparation for tomorrow’s game against the Australians.”
Barabas BOTOND (HUN) — goalkeeper
On the high score:
“We just kept going the whole game.”
On coming to Australia and win a game by 28 goals:
“It was frustrating to come so far but it will still be good preparation for this year’s world championships (in Croatia).”
Krisztian LASCZKOVICS (HUN) — left-hander
On his thoughts for the next game against Australia:
“Tomorrow will be a very tough game but if we continue to play the way we are playing, we should win.”
Mark ERNYEI (HUN) — centre forward
On who impressed on the Chinese side:
“Number six for China (CHEN Qidong) was quite skilful but we were too strong and too fast.”
Game 6: 16:30, women, AUSTRALIA 13 GREECE 8
Referees: Nicola JOHNSON (AUS), Nikolaos BOUDRAMIS (GRE).
Quarters: 2-4, 3-1, 3-1, 5-2
Australia had to come back from 4-2 down after leading 2-1. It wasn’t until just before the halftime hooter that Stephanie THOMAS brought Australia on level terms. Australia raced back into the lead in the third period and continued the performance in the final spell. Kelsey WAKEFIELD kept solidly for the Aussies in a game where co-captain Zoe ARANCINI, a three-goal scorer on day one, sat out the match with an ear infection. Greece, also with two players sidelined through illness, improved dramatically on the first day but without the ill Olympian Cristina TSOUKALA, tied with two players gaining three major fouls, weakened the team.
FLASH QUOTES
Peter SZILAGYI (AUS) – head coach
On the match:
“It was a difficult game and there was pressure on the players to gain a spot (starting line-up) in the final. Unfortunately, one of our main players (Zoe Arancini) couldn’t play but the team played for her and turned the game around. I was pretty happy with my team.”
Breanna APPEL (AUS) — captain
On the team’s shooting:
“It was pretty good but was not as consistent in the first as the second.”
On the tournament so far:
“It’s a great opportunity to play other countries and get international experience.”
Stephanie THOMAS (AUS) —driver
On the difference over yesterday’s game with China:
“We had to go in with a different mindset but we put it together and came up with the result. I feel we really worked well as a team.”
Rachel FLINT (AUS) — driver
On the Greeks:
“Greece is a tough team but we came together as a team and managed to win in the end.”
Sarah GRUNBERGER (AUS) — driver
On winning their second match:
“We got off to a tough start but built up our confidence and ended up winning. We both came out hard, especially the Greeks, so we had to change our plan.”
Konstantinos PETRAKIS (GRE) — head coach
On the match:
“Yesterday was our first game and it was a start. Now it is our second game and it was better. With two sick players it made it harder. Australia is a very strong team.”
Ioulia GARYFALLOU (GRE) — driver
On the match:
“It was difficult we did our best but with two players out it was hard work.”
Eleni FARNAKI (GRE) — driver
On losing to Australia:
“It was a very interesting game and we played with passion but there were too many mistakes and we will play better tomorrow.”
Evdokia TETZALIDOU (GRE) — driver
On the high number of mistakes:
“We played well but with too many mistakes and we will have to lift to win our last games if we wish to win a medal.”
Game 5: 15:00, women, CHINA 15 HUNGARY 20
Referees: Megan VARLOW (AUS), TIAN Shuan (CHN).
Quarters: 4-3, 4-8, 3-4, 4-4
This was the best game so far with two teams neck and neck before the stronger Hungarians managed to take the game with a burst late in the second quarter. The game erupted into a heated exchange of players in the dying minutes with one Chinese, XI Yueliang being dragged from the water with a neck injury and others having close, striking confrontations. China surprised even itself by leading 6-5 early in the second quarter but Hungary put on a five-goal spurt to go four up and never let the margin get closer than three. One of the best goals of the game came from LI Shuwei, who stole the ball in her half, drove to the goal, stopped, turned her defender, drove again and snapped the ball into the left-hand side of the goal. While Hungary’s Dora ANTAL and Rita KESZTHELYI scored five each in the incredibly long game because of the 35 goals and 26 major fouls, Olympian duo SUN Huizi and QIAO Leiying added seven of China’s goals. Of those fouls, 17 were against Hungary.
FLASH QUOTES
FAN Wei — head coach
On the closeness of the game:
“I am very satisfied as this is the best performance so far and we did our best.”
On whether she expected to be 6-5 ahead in the second quarter:
“I did not expect that even though we have three or four players on the national (senior) squad. We surpassed our abilities.”
On what happened to XI Yueliang in the final minute:
“She left the pool with a twisted back injury.”
SUN Huizi (CHN) — Olympian
On the match:
“We made a lot of unforced errors and they are stronger than us.”
On the closeness of the game:
“This is really inspiring and more interesting than games with big margins.
On her upcoming playing career:
“I will play with Perth team Fremantle Marlins in the National Water Polo League for the next three months and I am excited to be playing in such a strong competition as we (China) played in it last year.”
Andras MERESZ (HUN) — head coach
On the match:
“It was not so clever a performance. China is a very good team so we did well to score some very good team goals.”
On the refereeing:
“I was not unhappy with the refereeing, however, the game turned into more of a boxing match in the final minutes.”
Dora ANTAL (HUN) — outside shooter
On the fighting in the final minutes:
“We wanted to play water polo. The Chinese tried to punch and kick us but we did not want to get involved.”
Dora CZIGANY (HUN) — outside shooter
On bringing reserve goalkeeper Aniko GYONGYOSSY into the field:
“It is a special tactic by our coach to confuse the Chinese attack who have to shoot through two goalies.”
Hanna Anna KISTELEKI (HUN) — left-hander
On the large Hungarian support base:
“People found out we were playing and came to support us and it really lifted the team.”
Points tables
MEN
P W D L F A Pts
Hungary 2 2 - - 50 15 4
Australia 2 1 - 1 35 16 2
Greece 2 1 - 1 19 24 2
China 2 - - 2 12 61 0
WOMEN
Australia 2 2 - - 40 18 4
Hungary 2 2 - - 39 24 4
China 2 - - 2 25 37 0
Greece 2 - - 2 17 32 0
Hungary and Australia dominate AYOF day one
By Russell McKinnon, AWPI Media Manager
Sydney (January 15).—
Hungary and Australia proved to be the dominant teams on day one of the water polo competition at the Australia Youth Olympic Festival.
The world champion Hungarians, sporting older players than the Australians in the 19 and under competition, beat Greece 16-9 in the men’s match and 19-9 in the women’s at the Parramatta Swimming Pool.
Australia thumped China men 27-6 while the Aussie women, the current world champions, won 17-10.
Hungary plays China tomorrow and Australia will be tested against Greece.
Game 4: 19:30, men, AUSTRALIA 27 CHINA 6
Referees: Nikolaos BOUDRAMUS (GRE), Ilias DAMIANAKIS (GRE).
Quarters: 6-1, 5-0, 6-3, 10-2
China found out what it is like to play one of the best teams in the world at this level. The strength, the bigger size and the ability to steal ball at will made it easy for Australia as the score suggests. The bright point for the host nation was the powerful effort of Aaron YOUNGER, the solid youngster with the power shot, netting half his total in the final quarter. The rest of the team weighed in as China had little answer for the Australians. China’s best was CHEN Qidong who worked tirelessly and was on target with five goals with four of them in the second half.
FLASH QUOTES
WU Yabao (CHN) — head coach
On the power of Australia:
“They were just too good for us.”
HU Qing Xi (CHN) — outside shooter
On only having nine players:
“We are usually in an inside pool and today in the outside pool it makes a big difference with players who are cold.”
On the size of the Australians:
“Even though they are bigger we were never afraid of them.”
Simon DALEY (AUS) — head coach
On the match:
“I thought it was an up-and-down start for us but the end result was what we were looking for.”
Paul SINDONE (AUS) — driver
On the victory:
“Skills-wise we had a lot of good training and implemented our game plan well and used our teamwork to score goals.”
On counter-attack:
“Our counter-attack is what we have been working on for the past couple of weeks and it proved quite effective tonight.”
Jeremy DAVIE (AUS) — centre forward
On Australia’s defence:
“Our strategy as a team is always to spoil the other team’s attack so we can score at the other end.”
On looking toward the matches against the European teams:
“The Europeans are bigger and stronger than the Chinese but we will stick to our game plan and forget who the opposition are.”
Game 3: 18:00, men, GREECE 9 HUNGARY 16
Referees: Michael HART (AUS), Megan VARLOW (AUS).
Quarters: 1-6, 2-6, 3-0, 3-4
Hungary rubbed Greece’s nose in it in the first quarter with a 6-1 start that saw Hungary 5-0 up after six minutes. The pressure continued in the second quarter in which Daniel Angyal hammered in five goals with total disdain. The Hungarian coach changed team and tactics and did not score in the third period as Greece made a mini resurgence. The game petered out as both teams made use of the water polo time at this level.
FLASH QUOTES
Periklis DAMASKOS (GRE) — head coach
On the match:
“We are a very young team with players born ’91, ‘93 and ’94 and we are taking this tournament as preparation for the world championships in Croatia this (northern) summer. We did well for a young team, especially in the second half.”
Konstantinos GENIDOUNIAS (GRE) — right wing
On the match:
“We woke up in the third period and won the second half.”
Kyriakos PONTIKEAS (GRE) — defender
On the second-half revival:
“We were a bit scared at the start but we woke up in the second half and realised they were not better than us and we could beat them.”
Dimosthenis DERMITZAKIS (GRE) — left wing
On prospects for against Australia tomorrow:
“We might struggle against Australia but we will do our best to make the (gold-medal) final.”
Szilard DEREKAS (HUN) — head coach
In the first half we warmed up and made the most of our opportunities. We made our scoring chances very well. We talked a lot about this game and I think the changes we made at halftime threw the flow of the game off a bit.”
Bertalan RUSZ (HUN) — captain and left wing
On being the reigning world champions do you think the opposition is intimidated:
“Not really. I don’t play against myself. I wouldn’t know.”
On winning the match in the first half:
“Once you are 12-3 up you have no ambition. The game is won and it’s just about survival.”
Andras ANTAL (HUN) —right wing
On playing in Sydney:
“We have played in the European Youth Olympic Festival and that was good but we think this is better.”
Game 2: 16:30, women, AUSTRALIA 17 CHINA 10
Quarters: 4-0, 5-6, 4-1, 4-3
Australia rattled off a solid victory over a Chinese team headed by Sun Huizi, a member of the Chinese senior team at the Beijing Olympic Games. Australia controlled the first quarter but when Sun struck form in the second period, grabbing four goals, China was back in the game and won the high-scoring period. But Sun was shut down for the rest of the game and Australia pounced on errors, countered and almost scored at will. Two late goals by China improved its score. The goal of the match came from co-captain Breanna Appel who had the possibility of passing to her breaking co-captain Zoe Arancini, who had drawn out the Chinese goalkeeper. Appel, who had the honour of lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremony the night before and sitting on her seven-metre line, readjusted her focus and sent the ball long above Arancini to the outstretched hand of China’s Liu Jingsi who tipped the ball back into her net.
FLASH QUOTES
Serena REID (AUS) — goalkeeper
On her effort in goal
“It was pretty good. It’s fun to play the Chinese. They are really strong on the 5m line.”
Isobel BISHOP (AUS) — driver
On how the Chinese played:
“Tough to start with and they have great confidence to build on.”
Zoe ARANCINI (AUS) — outside shooter
On the chemistry within the team:
“We are doing a lot better as a team since we all travelled to Europe together (last year) and with great coaches like Peter (Szilagyi) and Taryn (Woods) it has allowed the team to get closer together and know how each other plays.”
Genevieve VENOSTA (AUS) — centre back
On the team’s training:
“We’ve been working hard on counter-attack and our extra-man. It really showed through in today’s game.”
XI Yueliang (CHN) — outside shooter
On the parochial Australian crowd:
“It worked for Australia a little but we did our best.”
On goals for the rest of the tournament:
“ We tried our best because we are from Asian countries where water sports are not very big. And we need to score more goals.”
Game 1: 15:00, women, GREECE 9 HUNGARY 19
Referees: Nicola Johnson (AUS), TIAN Shuan (CHN).
Quarters: 2-4, 3-5, 1-6, 3-4
Hungary settled into the competition in the first half and drew away in the second, hitting scoring mode with well-designed counter-attacks and smarter shooting. The Hungarians and the Greeks have older players who cannot contest the 18 and under junior world championships later this year in Siberia, Russia, as does China. The skills shown by Hungary were far superior to Greece and the swift and accurate passing and the resultant shots, especially on extra, proved telling. Hungary led 5-2 early in the second quarter but saw Greece pull to within one but at halftime the lead was four and the charge had started.
FLASH QUOTES:
Rita KESZTHELYI (HUN) — driver
On the quality of extra-man offence:
“We’ve been here for a week now and we have been mainly practising our extra-man in training.” 
Noemi SOMHEGYI (HUN) — centre back
On the third quarter and how Hungary pulled away from Greece:
“It was nothing in particular. The first two quarters were close. Maybe they tired in the second half and we were too strong in our press.”
Hanna KISTELEKI (HUN) — driver
On any problems with playing in 42C heat:
“The first half was quite bad with the sun in our eyes but the second half we got used to it better.”
Konstantinos PETRAKIS (GRE) — head coach
On the loss:
“They were much better than us. That was our first training session of the new year so what do you expect?”
Christina TSOUKALA (GRE) — driver, Beijing Olympian and four-goal scorer
On what was Greece’s downfall:
“Our team is very young and with the European league our team has not had much time to train and play together.”
Eleni KITSOU (GRE) — driver
On what was the coach’s advice when down at halftime:
“He told us to calm down, enjoy and just play the game. That’s what our tactics were.”
Eleni GOULA (GRE) — goalkeeper
On outside shooting being a strong point for both teams:
“Yes. At home they shoot against me from far away a lot and today the Hungarian girls’ shots were especially strong.”
Backyard Olympian in the making
Sydney (January 14).—
For 16-year-old Ash Southern, playing a high-powered Olympic-sponsored event is a far cry from her normal training routine.
The Queensland youngster, who hails from the 1000-strong Cardwell — two hours south of Cairns — finds training in a regular water polo pool ahead of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, a novelty.
Sydney (January 14).— For 16-year-old Ash Southern, playing a high-powered Olympic-sponsored event is a far cry from her normal training routine.The Queensland youngster, who hails from the 1000-strong Cardwell — two hours south of Cairns — finds training in a regular water polo pool ahead of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, a novelty.
Sydney (January 14).— For 16-year-old Ash Southern, playing a high-powered Olympic-sponsored event is a far cry from her normal training routine.The Queensland youngster, who hails from the 1000-strong Cardwell — two hours south of Cairns — finds training in a regular water polo pool ahead of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, a novelty.
She normally trains in her family’s backyard pool where dad Trevor has built a water polo goal as there is no regular water polo competition in Cardwell.For swimming fitness she shoots down to the Cardwell Crocs Swimming Club where she was a competitive swimmer.
Southern began playing flippa ball at the Cardwell State School and was plucked to attend a development camp in Townsville.
Weekly training visits to Townsville later and Ash — short for Ashleigh — was playing for Queensland at 14 and under level from the age of 11.
At the age of 13 she represented Queensland at the national 16 and under championships and last year made her first overseas trip, to Europe, with the national 16 and under team.
At 187cm tall, she plays the demanding centre-forward role and says: “Because I’m so big I play the hole position and throw around the smaller kids.”
Asked if she was the first person to represent Australia from Cardwell, she said: “No. My brother Trevor (named after his father) has also played for Australia at youth (water polo) level. He has finished school and now is living and training in Brisbane.”
Ash thinks she will also make the move to Brisbane to join her brother.
“When the London Olympics come around I will be almost 20 so I desperately want to represent my country at the Olympics. To do that I will have to move.”
The water polo competition for the AYOF, which contains the national junior men’s and women’s teams of Australia, China, Hungary and Greece, starts at Parramatta Swimming Pool at 3pm tomorrow and continues until Sunday.
Caption: The junior men's team played Greece in a scratch match at St Ignatius College, Lane Cove, today and both teams used Australian caps.
Big Hungarian influence on Australian Youth Olympic Festival
Sydney (January 14).—
The Hungarian influence will stretch further than just the junior men’s and women’s teams contesting the Australian Youth Olympic Festival water polo competition this week.
While Hungary is the best water polo nation on earth with the men ranked one, the women fourth, the junior men first and the junior women third, Australia will taste some of that Hungarian elitism.
Coaching the Australian junior women in Sydney from tomorrow is Peter Szilagyi, who completed a season with the Hungarian senior women in 2006 before taking up a role as Western Australian Institute of Sport head water polo coach.
He will face his former homeland on Saturday in the four-nation, four-day water polo programme, which starts at Parramatta Swimming Pool tomorrow.
Szilagyi did coaching stints in South Africa and New Zealand before being recalled to control the Hungarian women for an interim period.
Australia is the third-ranked nation in the world with the men ranked eighth, the women third, the junior men fifth and the junior women No 1.
China is starting to make an impact on world water polo with the women finishing fifth at the Beijing Olympic Games.
The Greek junior men won the world title in 2001 and were ninth at the 2007 world championships, the same year the Greek junior women claimed 13th place.
Games get underway from 3pm tomorrow with Hungary clashing with China and Australia playing Greece. The two women’s games start the programme followed by the men’s matches.
Youngsters to fore at Australian Youth Olympic Festival
Sydney (January 12).—
Australia’s best young water polo players will pit themselves against some of the world’s leading stars during the Australian Youth Olympic Festival at Parramatta Pool this week. The Australian junior boys’ and girls’ teams will play against world powerhouse Hungary, China and Greece in the four-nation event.
The Hungarian men’s team won the last three Olympic Games while Hungary is the reigning world junior champion.
The water polo starts on Thursday with four matches daily. The first three days see games start at 3pm while the finals begin at 8.30am on Sunday.
Programme:
Day 2 - 15/01/2009
15:00 - 16:30 GRE v HUN - Women
16:30 - 18:00 AUS v CHN - Women
18:00 - 19:30 GRE v HUN - Men
19:30 - 21:00 AUS v CHN - Men
Day 3 - 16/01/2009
15:00 - 16:30 CHN v HUN - Women
16:30 - 18:00 AUS v GRE - Women
18:00 - 19:30 CHN v HUN - Men
19:30 - 21:00 AUS v GRE - Men
Day 4 - 17/01/2009
15:00 - 16:30 CHN v GRE - Women
16:30 - 18:00 AUS v HUN - Women
18:00 - 19:30 CHN v GRE - Men
19:30 - 21:00 AUS v HUN Men
Day 5 - 18/01/2009
08:30 - 10:00 Bronze Medal Women
10:00 - 11:30 Gold Medal Women
11:30 - 13:00 Bronze Medal Men
13:00 - 14:30 Gold Medal Men
