The reigning Olympic champion USA defeated Hungary by 5-4 (3-2) in women’s water polo quarter-finals at the Paris Games, advancing to the semifinals. There they will face the Australian team, which earlier today won its quarter-final against Greece with 9-6 (4-3).
The USA, champions of the last three women’s water polo tournaments at the Olympics, advanced in Paris thanks to a strong team performance and two goals from three shots by Maggie Steffens. Tara Prentice, Rachel Fattal and Jewel Roemer each added one. For the Hungarian women, Rita Keszthelyi, Dora Leimeter, Kamilla Farago and Krisztina Garda scored. However, the latter scored only one out of ten shots.
In the other semi-final, Spain will face the Netherlands, and for the “tulips” this is a top achievement since Beijing 2008.
The Spanish women took a comfortable victory against Canada with 18-8 (10-4) in the first quarterfinal after Elena Ruiz scored four goals. The team has never reached an Olympic final, while the Dutch women have one title, won in Beijing in 2008.
The Netherlands beat Italy 11-8 (4-5).
