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Spain made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning their first-ever gold medal in women’s water polo, overcoming Australia with a thrilling 11-9 victory. The Spanish team, which had previously secured silver medals in both the London 2012 and Tokyo 2021 Games, finally clinched the top spot on the podium, showcasing their growth and determination.
The final was a tightly contested affair at La Défense Arena, with both teams demonstrating exceptional skill and resilience. Australia initially took the lead with Alice Williams scoring the first goal, but Spain quickly responded with a goal from Paula Leiton Arrones, setting the tone for a back-and-forth battle. By halftime, Spain held a narrow 3-2 lead, with Maica García Godoy scoring just before the break.
In the second half, Spain extended their lead with a strong offensive performance, led by Bea Ortiz, who scored four goals in total. Despite a late push from Australia, where they narrowed the gap to just two goals, Spain’s defense, anchored by goalkeeper Martina Terre, who made 15 crucial saves, proved to be the deciding factor.
This victory marked a significant achievement for Spain, capping off a perfect run in the tournament where they held four of their opponents to single-digit goals. Australia, although disappointed to miss out on the gold, celebrated their silver medal as their first Olympic podium finish since 2012. The match also highlighted the influence of Australia’s coach Bec Rippon, who became the first female coach to lead a team to an Olympic water polo medal.
The Spanish team’s triumph not only solidified their status as a dominant force in women’s water polo but also broke the long-standing stranglehold of the United States, who failed to medal for the first time since the event was introduced at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
