On the one hand, Australia beat the United States by just one point, 14-13. On the other hand, the Spaniards also won by one point against the Netherlands, 19-18.

The United States were shy in the first quarter, leading 2-1. And they widened the gap in the second, at 5-2, in what looked like it was going to be the game-winner. But in the third quarterAustraliacame back to within one point, compared to seven for the Americans, and the quarter ended 8-8. 

It had to go to a penalty shoot-out, which went in Australia's favour, 6-5. The rush of the final quarter and the penalty shoot-out were reflected in the final score of 14-13.

In a narrow victory, the Spanish women's water polo team has achieved its gradual progress through the stages to reach the final, which will be played on Saturday 10th.

On Thursday, the Spanish women, Olympic silver at Tokyo 2020, beat the Dutch by one point, with a 19-18 result that took them through to the quarter-finals after a week in which they have been gaining positions in Water Polo.

The Spaniards dominated two of the quarters of the match, and there were draws in the third and fourth, beating the Netherlands on penalties, with the final result of 5-4.

Under the guidance of coach Miguel Angel Oca and captained by Pili Peña, the Spaniards continue to live up to the expectations generated after their triumph at the European Championship in Eindhoven and the bronze medal at the World Cup in Doha earlier this year.

It was an intense day for water polo because, beyond the road to the final and the gold, the parts of the competition that remained beyond the podium were closing.  Italy beat Canada 10-5, and Hungary beat Greece 12-9.