Russia wrests away water polo bronze medal from Canadian women in Athens

Canada will depart the World League Super Final following a 14-10 loss to Russia in the bronze-medal game, having gained valuable game experience ahead of the women’s Olympic water polo tournament in Tokyo next month.

Canada loses only 2 World League Super Final games ahead of Tokyo Olympics

CBC Sports · Posted: Jun 19, 2021 3:15 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 19, 2021

Russia broke open a tightly contested bronze-medal game Saturday, taking a 9-5 lead n the third quarter over Canada, pictured, on the way to a 14-10 victory at the World League Super Final in Athens. (Twitter/@fina1908)

Canada will depart the World League Super Final without a water polo medal but having gained valuable game experience ahead of the women's Olympic tournament next month in Tokyo.

The Canadians dropped a 14-10 decision to Russia in the bronze-medal match on Saturday in Athens.

🇨🇦🤽‍♀‍4th place - 4e place<br><br>Congratulations!! - Félicitations!!<br><br>Tokyo, here we come!!! Tokyo, nous arrivons!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/waterpolocanada?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#waterpolocanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/cZ3iON52k3">pic.twitter.com/cZ3iON52k3</a>
—@waterpolocanada

Russia, which also won bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, had lost 12-10 to Canada in the preliminary round in Greece.

"Russia plays a fast pace game. We will need to be ready," head coach David Paradelo said before Saturday's game.

WATCH | Emma Wright paces Canadian attack in medal loss:

Canada falls to Russia in Women's World League Super Final bronze medal match

3 years ago

5:28

Russia edged Canada 10-8 to claim the bronze medal in the FINA Women's World League Super Final bronze medal match in Athens.

The Canadians, who have yet to finalize their Olympic roster, were ready and stayed with the Russians until they pulled away in the third quarter with a 9-5 lead.

Canadian women drop semis to Hungary at water polo World League Super Final

Emma Wright led Canada's offence with three goals while Monika Eggens, Kelly McKee, Hayley McKelvey, Gurpreet Sohi and Axelle Crevier also scored.

🇨🇦🤽‍♀‍What a stop by goaltender Clara Vulpisi !- Tout un arrêt par la gardienne de but Clara Vulpisi! <a href="https://t.co/lPuNNVyPbi">pic.twitter.com/lPuNNVyPbi</a>
—@waterpolocanada

It was only the second loss for the Canadians, who lost 14-10 to Hungary in Friday's semifinals.

The United States outscored Hungary in the fourth quarter for a 14-8 victory in Saturday's gold-medal game.

More Olympic Sports coverage

Canada opens the Olympic tourney July 24 against Australia at the Tatsumi Water Polo Centre.

WATCH | Canada suffers semifinal loss to Hungary:

Canada to play for bronze after semis loss to Hungary at Water Polo World League Super Final

3 years ago

4:53

Kyra Christmas' hat trick wasn't enough, as Rita Keszthelyi scored four goals and Hungary defeated Canada 14-10 in the semifinals of the FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final in Athens.

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