Garibotti, Italy advance to women’s water polo final
The U.S. women’s water polo team has been an unstoppable force in Rio and won its second straight Olympic gold medal on Friday afternoon with a 12-5 win over Italy.
Russian Federation lost 12-9 to Italy in the semifinals.
Makenzie Fischer opened the score for the U.S.in the first minute of the semifinal match on a power play.
Mathewson scored the game’s first goal, 1:11 into the opening quarter, and the Americans, who haven’t lost an Olympic game since 2008, never relinquished control.
It was a fourth final in a row for Brazil, who also beat Italy in Athens in 2004 before losing to the United States in Beijing and suffering a Russian comeback four years ago in London after leading by two sets to nil.
The Americans had allowed only 17 goals in their previous four Olympic Games.
The United States won the title in London four years ago and is one of just four countries to capture the gold medal in Olympic women’s water polo, which was first held at the Sydney Games in 2000.
Gunnar Bentz and Jack Conger arrived back in the United States on Friday morning.
Italy, meanwhile, booked their spot in the final for the first time since Atlanta 1996 following their thrilling win over USA.
Friday, eight players total scored for the USA, including the first five goals coming from different players: Mathewson, Kiley Neushul, Craig, Makenzie Fischer and Rachel Fattal. Steffens leads all women’s players with 16 goals, and is converting 72.7 percent of her shots. “Now we don’t want to stop (this) dream”. The first came in in the 2004 semifinals which the Italians won on the way to a gold medal. The Germans beat Nigeria 2-0 in Sao Paulo.
There was more heartbreak for European champions Hungary as they finished fourth for a third consecutive Olympics.
After losing the last two finals, Brazil reclaimed the Olympic men’s volleyball gold medal with a 3-0 victory over Italy at the Maracazinho in Rio on Sunday. Honduras striker Alberth Elis had tied that mark against Portugal in the group stage in the Rio.
Italy had been more than twice as efficient as Brazil in spiking but their errors proved costly with their patchy display summed up by Ivan Zaytsev ploughing his serve into a team-mate on set point. “I know how my players gave it everything that they could”. That was my ultimate goal. “I love having an impact on young people”. Johnson had nine saves in the gold medal game.
Brazil goalkeeper Tess Oliveira had 15 saves.
The United States initially appeared to claim the bronze medal, but upon further review, a botched baton handoff disqualified the team. The game will take place tomorrow, just hours before the Games’ Closing Ceremony.
Australia will play Serbia, an 86-83 victor over Croatia.
But, eventually and somewhat inevitably, the USA women’s water polo team worked its way into position to go for a gold medal.
Park was playing top competition for the first time in two months because of a thumb injury. Steffens has been incredibly accurate in her shooting, making 72.7 percent of her shot attempts.
France’s chances of gold diminished last week when world No. 2 Simon Delestre had to withdraw after an injury to his horse, Hermes Ryan. With the Olympics just about to begin, Adam flew home, leaving his team behind.