Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-08-19 18:52:57

(BEIJING, August 19) — After a day filled with shocks and upsets, the Netherlands have reserved their place to play the United States for the Women’s Water Polo gold medal at the Yingdong Natatorium on Thursday, August 21, while Australia will play Hungary for the bronze.

The first semifinal saw the Netherlands earn the right to play in their first Olympic final with a heart-stopping 8-7 victory over 2005 world champions Hungary on Tuesday.

The pool-side celebrations said it all as the Netherlands returned to the world stage after finishing fourth at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and failing to qualify for Athens 2004.

The Netherlands dominated the sport in the pre-Olympic era of the 1980s and 1990s and the youthful side, under the direction of head coach Robin Van Galen, has the opportunity to add Olympic gold to eight World Cup crowns and one world championship.

Hungary led 2-1 at quarter time but a Netherlands team surge in the second quarter put them 4-3 ahead.

Agnes Primasz leveled at 4-4 early in the fourth period, but that was the last time Hungary were level.

The Netherlands went two ahead twice in the third quarter, but Aniko Pelle scored her second goal 20 seconds from the final break and the Hungarians trailed 7-6.

With nearly six minutes remaining Marieke Van Den Ham scored her third goal on extra-man advantage to make it 8-6. Pelle replied with her third, a drilled shot from outside at 2:33 on the clock.

Hungary took a timeout with 22 seconds left but turned the ball over soon after, leaving the Dutch to retain possession and an opportunity to realize their Olympic dream.

After the second semifinal, the US team will play in the gold medal match after crushing Australia’s gold medal hopes with a 9-8 score in the second semifinal.

Playing tight defensive Water Polo, keeping the Australians wondering who to pass to next, the United States excelled in the game, making patient passes and taking the right shots.

Australia was hurt by a poor extra-man performance, scoring just once from nine chances.

Neither team gave an edge during the first half of play, drawing level 2-2 in the first quarter and 4-4 at half-time.

In the third quarter, the United States, keeping the Australians to one goal and scoring three times themselves, took their biggest lead at 8-5.

Australia came back in the fourth quarter to score the first three goals the quarter.

But Brenda Villa scored the final goal, putting away another extra-man advantage goal and keeping the Unites States’ title hopes alive.

In the 5-6 Classification match, China pronounced their arrival on the world stage, beating defending Olympic champions Italy 10-7 to take fifth place.

China ware spearheaded by Gao Ao, who led her team with four goals in the match, three by way of five-meter penalty shots.

Italian Elisa Casanova had very little time in the pool after receiving another shot to the nose, leaving her on the bench in support. Her standout performance in center forward has left a mark on the tournament.

While the teams were being introduced before the match, Italy seemed to have tears in their eyes for captain Martina Miceli, because this was to be her last Olympic match - and could be her last international.

After losing to Italy 10-9 in the earlier round of play, China wanted to show Italy that they were out for the win, taking the first period 3-1. Liu Ping scored her team’s third goal with just 18 seconds left on the clock.

Scoring in the last seconds of the quarter seemed to be the theme of the game, with China’s Sun Huizi scoring with just five seconds left in the second quarter to lead 5-4.

Italy also scored late in the third quarter when Miceli scored with four seconds left to give the Italians their first lead of the game, 7-6.

Then China shut out Italy 4-0 in the fourth quarter and proved that their good play in Beijing 2008 was no fluke.