In Rio, they’re guaranteed at least second.
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In women’s water polo, Maggie Steffens scored four times, and the United States clawed its way back to the Olympic final with a rugged 14-10 victory over Hungary on Wednesday. “Hungary’s a very physical team, that’s what makes them great”. The stadium speakers blared “Volare” when the Italians scored and “YMCA” when the Americans scored.
With unstoppable spikes and ace serves by their top scorer Ivan Zaytsev, the Italians took the hard-fought first set. Hungary’s Anna Illes let go a long range shot at 1:30 but it landed in Johnson’s hands. “And anytime I was losing focus or getting too emotional, I would think about him and what he would tell me: ‘Man, you are wasting this moment”.
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. Maddie Musselman scored on two power plays and Kaleigh Gilchrist made it 8-4 with 3:06 left in the third.
Italy got by Russian Federation by mounting a stalwart defense and scoring at every opportunity.
The return trip to the gold medal game will be the U.S.’s fourth time fighting for gold in five Olympic appearances.
A shot from close to half-pool from Elisa Queirolo with a minute remaining put Italy up four goals, and Russia’s last hope shot as the clock wound down still wasn’t enough.
With a gold medal at stake Friday she played her best game of the tournament, saving nine of 13 shots, including a penalty try.
Thanks to the Water Polo Pioneer from Miami, South Florida athletes have now won five Olympic medals in Rio.
Germany and Sweden were playing in the gold-medal match for the first time. If they win, it will be just the second medal won by the Russian women in the Olympics. The victory was especially meaningful for coach Adam Krikorian, who guided the team with a heavy heart after the shocking death of his brother just two days before the opening ceremony. The bronze medal game will take place Friday at 10:20 a.m. ET. The 26-year-old cleared 4.85 meters to earn Greece’s first-ever medal in the event.
Hannah Buckling had three goals for Australia. Goalkeepers Lea Yanitsas and Kelsey Wakefield combined for nine saves on 13 shot attempts. Former Saint Mary’s College guards Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova scored 24 and 15 points for the Aussies, who have been as impressive as any team in Brazil.
Brazilian police say Lochte was lying when he said he and three other swimmers were robbed. Gorlero has double-digit saves in every Rio game except one. They’ll face China Friday at 9 a.m. ET in the 7th place game. The reigning world champions were never headed in a final that brought together the only two teams who had gone undefeated in all five of their previous games at Rio 2016. Teammate Maica Godoy added two goals.
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China found the ideal time for their first win of the Rio Games, defeating Brazil 10-5 to finish in 7th place.
