18.07.2012

The Australian men’s water polo team has gone down to three-time defending Olympic champions Hungary 8-4 at the Vodafone Cup in Budapest.

Despite losing in what was their final hit out prior to the London Olympic Games the Aussie Sharks did enough to secure the silver medal in the four team tournament after a strong win over world champions Italy and a draw with Spain earlier in the week.

With a huge home crowd behind them at the Alfred Hajos Swimming Stadium, Hungary jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second quarter before Aidan Roach got Australia on the board.

Hungary refused to give an inch though and held a three goal advantage for much of the second half although senior Australian players Jamie Beadsworth and captain Sam McGregor got the Sharks within two strikes on a couple of occasions.

A one goal from eight conversion rate in extra-man attack meant the Australians were always going to struggle to haul in the locals and the match ended with the four goal margin.

Hungary ended with the gold, Australia silver, Spain the bronze and Italy fourth place.

Olympic debutant Johnno Cotterill said the side would take a lot of positives from the three-Test tournament as they turn their attention to London.

“It’s always disappointing to lose but as with other games this week we showed progress tonight and we truly believe we can go to the next level in London,” Cotterill said.

The Sharks will now train with the Hungarian team over the next three days before heading to London where they will play their first game against Italy on July 29.

Aussie Sharks

Joel Dennerley, Richie Campbell, Tim Cleland, Johnno Cotterill, Jamie Beadsworth, Rhys Howden, Sam McGregor, Thomas Whalan, Billy Miller, Gavin Woods, Aidan Roach, Aaron Younger, James Clark

Rested: Joel Swift

Result: Australian 8 lost to Hungary 4

Qtrs: 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, 1-2

X man for: 1 from 8

X man against: Hungary 5 from 11

AUS Scorers: J Beadsworth, S McGregor, A Roach, A Younger

AUS Best: S McGregor, T Whalan, J Beadsworth

Sharks draw with Spain to go top of ladder

The Aussie Sharks, Australia’s London Olympic bound men’s water polo team, have fought back from two goals down in the last quarter to snatch a 7-all draw against Spain at the Vodafone Cup in Hungary.

The confidence building result against the in form Spaniards, whom they will play in the Group stage at the Olympics, follows yesterday’s 10-9 upset of fellow Olympic opponents and reigning world champions Italy.

Australia now sit atop the Vodafone Cup standings going into their final game of the tournament against three-time defending Olympic champions Hungary, at 2am (AEST) on Wednesday morning.

In what was a tight clash throughout, Spain led 3-2 at quarter time, 4-3 at the main break and 6-4 with one term to play before the Australian comeback that saw late goals from centre forward Jamie Beadsworth and rising star Aidan Roach, who converted a penalty with less than two minutes remaining.

Roach said the side showed plenty of courage to fight back and grab the tie.

“We started well but dropped our intensity in the middle of the game,” Roach said. 

“But (to draw) showed a lot of character to come back from two goals down.” 

Australian head coach John Fox was already looking ahead to the next game and the challenge of the Hungarians.

“You're never happy with a draw but I was pleased with the way it was battled out today,” Fox said. 

“I'm looking forward to playing Hungary tomorrow with a full strength squad.”

After the game against the hosts the Sharks will spend three days training with the Hungarian team before heading to London. Australia’s first Olympic game is against Italy on July 29.

Aussie Sharks

Joel Dennerley, Richie Campbell, Tim Cleland, Johnno Cotterill, Jamie Beadsworth, Rhys Howden, Joel Swift, Sam McGregor, Thomas Whalan, Aidan Roach, Aaron Younger, James Clark

Rested: Billy Miller, Gavin Woods

Result: Australian 7 drew with Spain 7

Qtrs: 2-3, 1-1, 1-2, 3-1

X man for: 5 from 12

X man against: Spain 3 from 12

AUS Scorers: R Campbell 2, A Roach 2, J Beadsworth, S McGregor, J Cotterill

AUS Best: J Beadsworth, A Roach, J Clark

Aussie Sharks score important victory over Italy

The Australian men’s water polo team, the Aussie Sharks, have received a timely boost to their Olympic campaign defeating London rivals Italy 10-9 in the opening game of the Vodafone Cup in Hungary.

In what is their final Olympic lead-up tournament ahead of the London Games, the Sharks showed great improvement from their previous two outings against Italy to score a strong victory.

Minus resting stars Billy Miller and Gavin Woods, the Aussie Sharks came out of the blocks firing establishing a 3-2 lead at quarter time with Richie Campbell netting twice in a man of the match performance.

Reigning world champions Italy regained the ascendency midday way through the third period, but a third and fourth strike to Campbell and assists from Rhys Howden and Jamie Beadsworth edged the Australians clear.

Joel Swift, deputising for Woods and Miller, added two crucial goals, while captain Sam McGregor and Aaron Younger also found the back of the net.

Coach John Fox said it was a brilliantly tough effort by the team and was ecstatic to record a win against their London game one opponents.

“This was a well fought, tough win by the boys,” Fox said.

“It was an all-round team effort and gives us plenty of momentum leading into London.

“We play Italy in our first match at the Olympics so it was good to get a victory over them after some narrow defeats in recent weeks.”

The tournament, which also features Hungary and Spain, marks an end of a tough and intense preparation for the Sharks as they fine-tune systems before commencing Olympic competition on July 29.

The Sharks' next game at the Vodafone Cup is against fellow London Group A opponents Spain, at 12.15am on Tuesday morning AEST.

To view the AUS v ITA photo gallery click here flic.kr/s/aHsjAFdXL9

Aussie Sharks

Joel Dennerley, Richie Campbell, Tim Cleland, Johnno Cotterill, Jamie Beadsworth, Rhys Howden, Joel Swift, Sam McGregor, Thomas Whalan, Aidan Roach, Aaron Younger, James Clark

Rested: Billy Miller, Gavin Woods

Result: Australian 10 bt Italy 9

Qtrs: 3-2, 2-3, 3-3, 2-1

X man for: 4 from 10

X man against: Italy 5 from 15

AUS Scorers: Richie Campbell 4, Rhys Howden 2, Joel Swift 2, Sam McGregor, Aaron Younger

AUS Best: Richie Campbell, Rhys Howden, Jamie Beadsworth

Aussie Sharks to square off against Europe's best

The Australian men’s water polo team, the Aussie Sharks, will enter the final stages of their London Olympic campaign when they touch down in Hungary  later tonight to contest the 2012 Vodafone Cup.

The third edition of the tournament sees the Sharks face three-time defending Olympic champions Hungary, 2011 world champions Italy and fellow European powerhouses Spain in what is their last international stop before London.

The Vodafone Cup will mark an end of some tough and intense preparations for all four team who will have the opportunity to fine-tune systems before commencing Olympic competition on July 29.

Australia will face London Group A opponents Italy and Spain in their opening two matches before clashing with Hungary on Wednesday (AEST). The match against Italy will be particularly fierce with both teams set to clash in the first game at London.

For more information about the Vodafone Cup click here

Aussie Sharks 2012 Vodafone Cup
Jamie Beadsworth, Richie Campbell, James Clark, Tim Cleland, Johnno Cotterill, Joel Dennerley, Rhys Howden, Sam McGregor, Billy Miller, Aidan Roach, Joel Swift, Thomas Whalan, Gavin Woods, Aaron Younger

Game 1: Aussie Sharks vs. Italy, Sunday July 15 23.45pm

Game 2: Aussie Sharks vs. Spain, Tuesday July 17 00.15am

Game 3: Aussie Sharks vs. Hungary, Wednesday July 18 02.00am

*All times are AEST
**WPA will provide up to date match reports and team news from the tournament