Chinese water polo records historical silver medal
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Xinhua, July 30, 2011
The women's water polo team of China recorded the best result by clinching the first-ever silver medal at the 14th FINA World Champships in Shanghai on Friday.
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| China looked to make history again in the pool at the FINA World Aquatic Championships in Shanghai. The home side faced Greece for the gold medal showdown in women's water polo. |
China, who never bettered their 11th place finish in the Championships, was defeated by Greece at 9-8 in the final but already created history.
Trailing the European runner-up 6-9 in the last four minutes of the final quarter, China succeeded to narrow the gap to 7-9 with three minutes remaining.
Sun Yujun scored the morale-boosting goal with one minute 38 seconds left, making it 8-9 for the host and arousing the thunderous cheers from the near-full home stands.
However, in the last chance of offence, China failed to break the opponent's tight defence.
At the whistle, the winning players of Greece cried and hugged with each other after their coach jumped into the pool with clothes, showing the charm and sensation of the sport.
Though the defeat seemed bitter, Chinese girls should raise their heads.
Starting the sport only in 2004, the women's national team had stormed to the first-class level in the world, which was definitely a miracle for a team discipline.
"It's a pity that the team failed at the last moment. I think it's a great chance to win the gold at worlds," said Liu Qinlong, the team leader of China.
"The coach is very strict with the players and it's not easy to win the silver. We will get prepared for the London Games. Winning the gold medal in the Olympics is always our dream," he added.
China's Spanish coach Jane Giralt Juan also showed his regrets. "In this moment, I am a little not happy. But silver medal is good. It's not easy (for us)."
The top scorer trophy of the tournament was awarded to China's playmaker Ma Huanhuan.
Eleni Kouvdou of Greece received the best goalkeeper trophy.
Russia settled for the bronze medal after they beat Italy 8-7 in an earlier clash.
