The Australian Women’s Water Polo team, featuring three Sydney Uni Women’s Water Polo Club (SUWWPC) representatives, has finished runner-up at the World Championships in Barcelona, going down 8-6 to host nation Spain in the final.
Playing in front of a packed and raucous crowd, the Stingers found the conditions as difficult as the opposition who are also Olympic silver medallists. Spain may have also gained the best of the 50-50 calls from the European referees, but the effort from the Australian team was nothing short of outstanding.
SUWWPC’s three representatives in the Stingers team – Hannah Buckling, Keesja Gofers and Lea Barta all played their part throughout the tournament. Buckling and Gofers are also SUSF Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holders.
Although falling at the last hurdle the Stingers had six new players following the London Olympics and to improve their ranking from third to second is a great sign for the future.
The vital statistic for the match for the Australians was a six from 28 shot conversion rate, with the Spanish defense and their goalkeeper continually keeping the Stingers at bay. On the other hand, the Spaniards had eight goals from 20 attempts.
Buckling, Gofers and Barta will now take a well-earned rest before resuming club duties and the next national team assignment, the Holiday Cup in Los Angeles in December.
