The Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers are through to the semifinal of the World Aquatics Championships in Japan, after a thrilling quarter final saw them take down European heavyweights Greece 9-8.

Greece entered the match as match the favourites after topping the table in the group stages. But the Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers showed they were more than up for the challenge.

Despite trailing 3-4 at the end of the first quarter, the Aussies managed to take control of the game to lead 7-5 at half time.

Heading into the final quarter the Aussies had a one goal lead, 9-8, with nothing separating the two sides and both teams managing to keep each other scoreless.

For the final 13 minutes of the game, neither side was able to score and the Stingers relentless defence proving difficult for the Greeks to breakthrough.

In the final second, the Greeks gained possession, making their way towards the goal, but the Aussies formidable defence, led by goalkeeper Gabi Palm, put the pressure on forcing a turnover. The Aussies, keeping their composure, were able to run down the clock and secure the win.

Dual Olympian and Ord Minnett Aussie Stingers Captain Zoe Arancini, a New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder, said her side is thrilled to make it into the top four and edge closer to their chance to play for gold.

“It’s been a long time since [we made] the top four, so this is a huge deal for us and for the [women’s] program as well. The girls have worked so hard for this and I’m proud to see it come to fruition,” Arancini told AAP.

“Our defence was outstanding. We had big blocks and Gabi [Palm] was outstanding in the cage and our centre backs were doing their job.  We want to ride this momentum,” she said.

With both teams unable to score in the final quarter and the clock ticking down Arancini said it was those big moments they prepared most for.

“It was huge and immensely intense. But that’s what you train for, those moments and credit to the girls they grinded it out. It was a tough win, but a win is a win, and we are all so happy,” Arancini told AAP.

“We were tough in our defence and that transitioned into our attack. We took our opportunities, and we converted those shots early on,” she said.

For Head Coach Paul Oberman, the victory was about playing the game they had set out to play.

“It was about belief in ourselves.  We had the right game plan, and we had the right tactics,” Oberman told AAP.

“Our composure was really good in our attack as well as keeping the belief in our defence.

“The girls did a fantastic job in that last quarter. We created some really good opportunities… we just kept going and ground it out and I think that’s the mark of a good team.

“It was a very good game and Greece are a very good team, they were second at the European Championships last year.  So, for us it’s just a good game for us to beat a European team and to get some belief in ourselves.”

Tokyo Olympian Tilly Kearns (NSWIS, and pictured above) was named player of the match, proving vital in both her defensive efforts and scoring two goals. Rising star Alice Williams has had a standout World Championships, adding another two goals tonight, to take her total at this event to nine.

Australia has a tough road to the gold medal match as they now look to regroup ahead of the semifinals on Wednesday 26 July (7:30pm AEST) where they will meet Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalists Spain.

Story courtesy of Water Polo Australia

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