Stingers get upset victory against the Dutch
Australian women have dominated aquatics events so far at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Stars like Mollie O’Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus have won golds and set Olympic records.
Unlike O’Callaghan and Titmus, no one really expected that kind of dominance from the Stingers. According to the betting sites, Australia were actually underdogs heading into their preliminary round match against the Netherlands.
Despite the Olympic betting odds, the Stingers held their own against the Dutch. Both sides were neck and neck throughout and finished regular time with the score tied at 7-7. The ensuing penalty shootout was just as intense as the rest of the match.
A miss from Australia’s Keesja Gofers put the Stingers against it early. The Dutch couldn’t capitalise though and missed their fourth penalty. Gofers missed again with her second penalty, seemingly dooming the Aussies. However, goalkeeper Genevieve Longman saved the day.
The second-choice goalie made a key save after Gofers’ miss to bring the Aussies back into the shootout. The sides both scored more perfect penalties. Heading into the tenth round, Australia led 8-7.
Longman showed up again, denying Lola Moolhuijzen’s penalty and securing the 15-14 win for the Stingers. Australia are now 4-0 against the Netherlands in Olympics women’s water polo matches.
Olympic hopes still alive
The top four teams in each Olympics women’s water polo preliminary round groups advance to the quarter finals. This means Australia is almost guaranteed to go through to the next round.
The Stingers have an undefeated record at the Olympics so far. They have beaten China and the Netherlands. The Stingers next match is against Canada on Friday, 2 August at 10:00 PM (AEST). They will be favourites in that match, but Australia are far from contenders to win gold at these Olympics.
Unlike the Sharks (the men’s water polo team), the Stingers don’t have the worst odds to win. They are close to the bottom though.
Most betting apps have Australia as one of the least likely nations to win gold in women’s water polo. The current consensus odds give the Stingers just $17.00 odds to win gold.
Three-time gold medal winners Team USA are at the top of the odds list with $1.40 odds. Netherlands ($6.00), Spain ($7.00), and Hungary ($11.00) round out the top four most likely to win gold in Paris this summer.
