As if it were a gesture of fate, the women's water polo team qualified for the World Cup finals yesterday after beating Australia, the country they defeated to take gold in 2013 in Barcelona, the only time the Spanish have been world champions. Now, the last obstacle to glory will be the Netherlands (tomorrow, 11 a.m.), Italy's executioner in the semi-finals and the rival against whom Miki Oca's team lost on their debut in Japan. In the national combined, no one can take the medal, eleventh of this selection in a major tournament, and neither the place in Paris 2024, their fourth Games in a row.
Since that historic day in the Picornell pool, Spain has always won the oceans. This time, he only enjoyed the triumph with a minute remaining. He was able to sentence Nona Pérez earlier in an attack in superiority, but it was Bea Ortiz who raised an insurmountable lead of three goals. Arancini, already out of options for the Aussies, made the final 10-12.
The Spanish forged the victory in the first quarter. Elena Ruiz, chosen MVP with four goals, opened the scoreboard and was seconded by the buoy Paula Leitón and Judith Forca, Spain's top scorer in Fukuoka with 18 goals, two against the Australians, the second one was quite beautiful, with Vaseline. Spain closed the opening eight minutes with a three-goal advantage (2-5) and did not let the result adjust. Australia, a physical opponent, was held back by the Spanish choral defense, which was only outmatched in superiority. Six Oceanic goals were when the opponent was inferior and two from penalties, the first at the end of a second quarter in which they reduced the difference (6-8).
The third period began with two goals from Ruiz that gave the maximum advantage (6-10). The match seemed to be falling apart, but Australia increased the intensity and the Spanish lost their cool. Spain, fought in a thousand battles, was not disturbed. She strengthened herself back and offensively played with control, as Anni Espar suggested to her teammates before the final match.
With 8-10, after two goals in superiority, one from a successful Kearns, the Aussies lost the opportunity to get close to a goal before a fourth final that began with a goal from Maica García (8 -11). Spain was able to seal the victory, but Williams, with a penalty, cut the deficit to two goals. Mistakes followed and Australia, more hasty, ended up accepting their fate against a Spain that will play its fourth World Cup final, the third in the last four editions.
