Now the world champions will try to become the first women’s team to defend an Olympic title whereas Italy is playing for its first medal since winning gold at the 2004 Athens Games.
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The Americans are now guaranteed to medal in all five Olympics that have featured women’s water polo. They have great centers, shooters everywhere so we knew it was going to be a challenge.
The Italians defeated Russian Federation by five goals in the group phase and won by a slightly closer margin of 12-9 in Wednesday’s first semifinal, making their move in the second and third quarters by outscoring their opponent 6-2. Italy also is a ideal 5-0 in Rio, winning by a combined score of 51-31. But a 7-goal loss didn’t get Hungary down, as they bounced back and defeated Australia 13-11 in the quarters – so they’re likely ready to come back with a vengeance in the semis!
“We started this tournament horribly, not how we wanted to play”, USA outside hitter Taylor Sander said.
“The U.S.is the strongest and they have the most and biggest, strongest players in all the Olympic Games”, Hungary coach Attila Biro said.
HollywoodLifers, do you think the USA will be able to beat Hungary again?
Hungary added two more in the period sandwiched around a Kami Craig goal as the United States held a 12-8 lead going to the fourth.
Men’s volleyball: The fifth-ranked Americans topped second-ranked Poland 25-23, 25-22 25-20 on Wednesday, building serious momentum at Maracanazinho arena after dropping their initial two matches to Canada and Italy before stunning Brazil and finishing off France. Although Russia was able to put up nine, it was the Italian offense, led by Arianna Garibotti, that did what was needed to move on.
Italy’s women’s water polo team finished sixth in the 2008 Olympics, and seventh in 2012. “Now we don’t want to stop (this) dream”. Maddie Musselman and Kiley Neushul also had two goals each.
The Americans had allowed only 17 goals in their previous four Olympic games. Down 9-5 midway through the fourth, Russian Federation tried to mount a comeback, getting two goals from Evgeniya Ivanova and Ekaterina Prokofyeva on an extra player shot. Garibotti’s long-range goal gave Italy a 5-4 lead with 1:37 left in the first half, and it never trailed again. Teammate Roberta Bianconi added two goals, both on penalty shots.
“She said, ‘You have earned the right to be where you are, ‘ ” the water polo star recalled a few days later.
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Russian Federation again tried to cut into the lead when Anna Grineva flicked a shot in from just in front of the goal on another extra player shot with two minutes remaining.
