Paris Olympic Games Moreton Bay Coverage – August 7

Alice Williams and Charlize Andrews, from North Brisbane Polo Bears at Albany Creek, are just one win from a shot at Olympic gold.

The duo helped Australia to a comfortable 9-6 victory over Greece this morning and will face the US in the water polo semi-finals on Thursday at 3.35am AEST.

Stingers players, including Alice Williams, were emotional at the end, realising an Olympic medal is within their grasp.

“Great win for the Australians,” commentator John Harker said on 9Now, “the worst that will happen is they will play for bronze.”

On the Australian Olympic website, dual Olympian Bronte Halligan added: “It could not have gone any better for us. We’re playing fun, exciting, relentless water polo.

“This arena is insane and exciting to be a part of. We’re so proud of our efforts.”

However, their ultimate goal is gold to match the team of Sydney 2000, which included Naomi McCarthy, who now coaches at Polo Bears.

On the other side of the draw Spain beat Canada 18-8 and will face Netherlands, 11-8 winners over Italy, in the first semi-final tomorrow at 10.39pm AEST.

Williams was again the key figure for the Stingers, scoring five times from seven shots to take her tournament tally to 15.

Australia started the quarter-final unbeaten in the Olympic tournament, including wins on penalties against Hungary and Netherlands in Pool B.

The Stingers made a fast start which saw them 3-0 up after the first quarter against a side ranked four in the world before the Paris Games.

Greece rallied to 3-3 but after Williams’ second penalty shot put the Stingers ahead again and they worked hard to stretch that lead in the final quarter.