Australian water polo girls win bronze playoff to Hungary
Michael Crutcher | August 21, 2008 08:40pm
http://www.foxsports.com.au/beijing_olympics/story/0,27313,24212949-5014107,00.htmlAUSTRALIA'S tournament of water polo near misses ended in joy tonight when the Stingers won the bronze medal in a penalty shootout. The game had featured two miracle plays that forced two periods of extra time and then the shootout against Hungary.
Australia's Rebecca Rippon had scored with eight seconds remaining in regulation time to tie the scores at 7-7.
The Australians took the lead in the two extra periods and were 17 seconds away from a bronze medal when Hungary's Dora Kisteleki found the net to tie the scores at 9-9.
Both teams missed two early shots in the shootout before Emma Knox blocked Hungary's last shot, sparking jubliant Australian scenes at the 12-11 result.
Coach Greg McFadden dived in fully clothed to join his players while a distraught Hungary shed tears.
It was only Australia's second Olympic water polo medal following the women's gold medal win in Sydney eight years ago.
The Stingers had been set for a shattering end to their tournament to follow the nailbiting semi-final loss to the United States and another draw with Hungary last week which had ended with coach Greg McFadden slamming the referee.
They looked set to lost 6-7 until Rebecca Rippon's laser arm revived Australia. In extra time, Bronwen Knox put Australia in fron with
Australia trailed by three goals after Hungary zipped through the second quarter with three unanswered goals in just under four minutes.
A penalty goal by Australia's Bronwyn Knox 45 seconds before halftime helped revive the Australians, who went on their own three-goal rally in the third quarter.
Suzie Fraser scored twice in 90 seconds before Kate Gynther took advantage of Hungary being two players down to draw Australia level on the stroke of halftime.
But the deadlock was broken by Hungary's Agnes Valkai a minute into the quarter and that appeared to be the match-winner for Hungary until Rippon's .
