DOHA, Qatar — Olympic hopes remain for the Canadian women’s water polo team despite a 12-9 loss to Spain in the quarterfinals of the World Aquatics Championships on Monday.
Canada got a boost after Greece defeated Italy 14-12 in the final quarterfinal on Monday.
This result meant that three of the four teams advancing to the semifinals of the world tournament, Greece, the United States, and Spain, have already qualified for this year’s Paris Games. Countries that have not yet qualified will be given two Olympic spots in Doha.
Hungary will advance to the semi-finals and earn one of the spots, with the second place going to either Canada or Italy, who will compete for fifth through eighth places with Australia and the Netherlands.
Australia and the Netherlands have already qualified for Paris.
On Wednesday, Canada takes on Australia and Italy takes on the Netherlands. The winner will play for fifth place on Friday, and the loser will play for seventh place.
Italy defeated Canada 12-8 in the group stage on Thursday.
In Monday’s game, Canada struggled from the start, trailing 7-2 at the half.
Canada fought back with an improved second half and defeated Spain 6-4. However, they succeeded in making up the difference.
Montreal’s Axel Crevier was Canada’s top scorer with three goals. Winnipeg’s Shay La Roche added two goals, Toronto’s Velika Bakok, Montreal’s Elise Lemay-Lavoie, and Serena Brown of Pointe-Claire, Kenya, who is originally from Grifalda, Greece and has Canadian citizenship through her mother. and Marilia Mimides scored one goal each. .
Spain’s Judith Forca Ariza led all scorers with five goals.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2024.
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