Paris 2024: Women’s Semi-Final Matches Come Down to Shootouts, Australia and Spain Advance

2024 PARIS SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES

• Water Polo: July 27 – August 11, 2024
•  Paris Aquatic Centre/La Défense Arena — Paris, France
• Meet Central
• Full Water Polo Match Schedule

In a day full of tight games, Wednesday saw the women’s water polo semi-final matches for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Both games ultimately came down to the wire, with Spain v. Netherlands and Australia v. USA both ending in shoot-outs.

Spain def. Netherlands, 19-18

In one of the highest-scoring matches of the tournament so far, Spain managed to fend off the Netherlands in a 19-18 victory to advance to the gold medal match. Spain finished with the silver medal at the 2021 Olympic Games and is now guaranteed to at least match that finish here.

Through the first quarter, Spain was dominant on the net, quickly pulling out to a 6-1 lead over the Netherlands. With the second quarter finishing in a score of 10-5 in favor of Spain, it looked that the country had almost wrapped-up their victory. However, the tide quickly turned in the third period, as the Netherlands rapidly netted 4 unanswered goals to bring the score to 10-9, closing Spain’s lead to 1 point. Though Spain attempted to pull-away again, with Judith Forca Ariza contributing another Spanish point, the team couldn’t generate any momentum, partially due to fantastic defensive play by the Netherlands. After a goal by Simone van de Kraats pulled the Netherlands within one point of Spain again, Nina Ten Broek tied the game up with 40 seconds left in the third quarter. Ultimately, the quarter ended with the score remained tied at 11-11. At the beginning of the 4th quarter, the Netherlands actually gained their first lead of the game, but were quickly met with another goal from Spain. The pattern continued throughout the quarter, with the teams exchanging goals until regulation ended with a 14-14 tie.

A fierce shootout followed. The Netherlands shot first and netted the first goal. Then, Spain matched the goal to tie it back up. Once-again, the teams found themselves in a pattern of scoring. However, that pattern was broken when Spain’s Martina Terre was substituted into goal and saved the final shot by Brigitte Sleeking. With the chance to send her team to the gold medal match on the line, Macia Garcia Godoy swam up to the line and nailed a shot into the net, giving Spain the 5-4 advantage in the shoot-out and untimately, the victory.

Judith Forca Ariza was one of the standout players of the match, netting 5 goals for Spain on 8 attempts. Elena Ruiz Barril also scored 4 goals for Spain in the victory.

Australia def. USA, 14-13

Unlike the game between Spain and the Netherlands, neither team was able to pull out to a lead in this match, with the score remaining close through all 4 quarters. In the first quarter, it was the USA who had the slight upper-hand, quickly netting two goals. However, with only 9 seconds left in the quarter, Charlize Andrews scored for Australia to end the quarter with a 2-1 score in favor of the USA. With the first half of the second quarter remaining relatively quiet, no goals were scored until 4:20 left to play. At that point the US and Australia both scored within 20 seconds of each other, then the US rapidly punched in another 2 goals to end the period with a 5-2 advantage. However, that advantage did not last long as Australia held the US scoreless through the first 5.5 minutes of play in the third quarter, while adding 3 goals of their own, tying the score at 5-5. The USA was finally able to break-through with two last-minute goals, despite Australia adding a point of their own, with the quarter ending in a 7-6 USA lead. Early in the 4th quarter, both teams added additional goals to their tally, then with 2:54 left to play, Aussie Bronte Halligan netted a huge action shot to tie the game 8-8. Throughout the remaining minutes of play, both teams attempted to pull ahead, but they both failed to do so, ending regulation in a 8-8 tie.

In the penalty shoot-out, it was Australia who netted the first goal with Zoe Arancini scoring on Ashleigh Johnson. Maddie Musselman fought back however, scoring on Australian Gabriella Palm. The rounds continued, until the 6th round when Arancini once-again managed to net her goal, giving Australia a 6-5 lead. Musselman attempted to follow-up, but the shot was saved by Palm, earning Australia a trip to the gold medal match.

For Australia, Abby Andrews was a standout player, netting 4 goals in just over 21 minutes of play. Three of those goals came on action shots as well, giving the Australians a big push.

Schedule for Remaining Games

With Australia and Spain both advancing, they will face-off in the gold medal match on August 10. Meanwhile, the USA will face the Netherlands for the bronze medal on the same day. For the first time since 2008, there will be a new Olympic Champion crowned as the US has won the last 3 Olympic Water Polo tournaments. Meanwhile, Australia will return the the podium in any capacity for the first time since 2012.

Schedule, Women’s Medal Matches (all times in EST): 

• August 10th
  • USA v. Netherlands, Bronze Medal Match – 4:35 AM
  • Australia v. Spain, Gold Medal Match – 9:35 AM

Other Scores: 

• Women’s Classification 5-8th:
  • Italy def. Canada 10-5
  • Hungary def. Greece 12-9

Other Remaining Matches:

• August 10th
  • Greece v. Canada, Women’s Classification 7-8th, 3:00 AM
  • Hungary v. Italy, Women’s Classification 5-6th, 8:00 AM