‘Watch this space’: Defiant Aussie Stingers fall in gold-medal match to Spain but already dreaming big after historic silver

As the Australian anthem started pre-match, emotions were already kicking in for the Stingers. Regardless of the result, this match was already an achievement in itself. And like they have all Olympics, they never gave up until the very end.

Australia celebrate after winning silver in the the water polo. Picture: Adam Head

Whatever lens you look through, the Aussie Stingers’ campaign at the Paris Olympics has been one to remember.

Despite going down 11-9 to Spain in the gold medal match on Saturday, even before the game they felt like champions. They entered the pool with contagious smiles on their faces, lapping in every second of a moment 24 years in the making.

Spain’s ruthless efficiency in attack, and an inspirational showing from their goalkeeper Martina Terre, proved the difference between gold and silver. But it was another spirited performance from the Stingers who valiantly tried to mount one last comeback in a tournament filled with thrilling finishes.

Alice Williams finished with five goals for the Stingers in their gold medal final defeat. Picture: Andreas Solaro/AFP

“It’s mixed emotions,” captain Zoe Arancini said. “Disappointed not to get the gold but elated to get the silver.

“This team has worked so hard for a silver medal, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. And they’ve really embodied the Aussie spirit of fighting till the end, and I’m so proud of this group.

“I can’t quite believe (we’re on the podium). I think it’s relief, exhilaration. I think I’m still processing it.

“This is the top moment of my career and humbled to share it with a special group of girls.”

The Stingers arrived in Paris a fortnight ago prepared to cause a bit of chaos.

Three years earlier, they took the risk of bringing several youngsters to Tokyo to rejuvenate the squad. The likes of Tilly Kearns, Abby Andrews, Bronte Halligan and Gabbi Palm came out of those Games with an early reminder of the heartache they can produce after their quarterfinal defeat to Russia.

But it also provided them with invaluable experience and a better understanding of the Stingers’ ethos. That was only amplified when former player Bec Rippon was appointed coach in late 2023.

Rippon is the first female water polo coach to ever win an Olympic medal. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Rippon is Stingers to the core, narrowly missing out on a place in the team that triumphed at Sydney 2000. But she saw first-hand how that squad changed history.

They fought for their place in that arena and came out on top. Not only was she now paving new ground as the first woman to coach the team at an Olympics, but her focus became ensuring this new generation was ready to create their own legacy.

“This team has amazing players and amazing people and I knew that anything was possible if we were all on the same page,” Rippon said.

“I’m blown away by how as a group they have come together in the past six months and they’ve bought in. They’ve been a part of who we want to be and the legacy that we want to create, that creates a tight-knit unit that they are all a part of.

“I’m pretty proud of what we’ve done. When I stepped into this role … I’ve had it reminded to me that I’m the first female coach of this team at the Olympic level, and to make a final. So I think I can be proud of that.”

The overwhelming positivity of the squad has been there for all to see. Rippon has created an environment where individuality is encouraged and trust is earned.

A first gold-medal match in 24 years has the Stingers excited by what’s to come. Picture: Adam Head

“Bec was all the difference, and the coaches she brought on board,” Kearns said.

“She inspires us, I personally want to win for her every game we play and I think all the girls are the same.”

“We bought in because she came in and was like, ‘This is what I bring. This is the Aussie Stinger style’,” Arancini added. “And we were just like, ‘Hell yeah, let’s go’.”

The Stingers have achieved their second-greatest Olympic result barely six months after Rippon was appointed to the role. Winning hasn’t always been in their DNA, but for this group, it could prove infectious after the amount of fun they’ve had in this past fortnight.

They beat the USA for the first time at an Olympics since 2000. Typical foes like the Netherlands and Hungary were left in their wake.

Forged by silver, this team is now ready to become a household name in Australia. Picture: Adam Head

They’ve matched it with the world’s best in Paris, and while they’re going to take some time to celebrate, this group now has the challenge of leading a new dawn for water polo in Australia.

“In 2013, Zoe and I were in that World Championship team, we played Spain and that was the last time Australia made a gold medal match,” Keesja Gofers said.

“Coming into the Rio Olympics, I just thought that Australia was going to be on the podium. And that hasn’t been the case, it’s been a long time since we’ve been there. It’s been hard and you got to earn it and work through it.

“I know this team, it’s not done. It’s exciting. Australia, get behind us because watch this space.”

Originally published as ‘Watch this space’: Defiant Aussie Stingers fall in gold-medal match to Spain but already dreaming big after historic silver