“We could not have asked for a better bracket to play in,” commented team captain and two time Olympian Tony Azevedo. “We are ready to take them (Australia) down tonight. It’s always going to be tough to play a strong team in their home town because they have a lot of emotion behind them and they come out to win. But our team is more confident than ever. We really clicked in New Zealand and I know we’ll go farther than people think.”
As for Head Coach Ricardo Azevedo, he knows his guys are good enough to advance and he has assembled a strong support staff of doctors, sports psychologists and physical therapists to ensure his team is as mentally and emotionally sound as they are physically fit to play.
At this morning’s practice session in the same pool as the Australians, Team USA seemed almost too at ease alongside their eminent rivals. “We’re here to play OUR game,” claimed Coach Azevedo. “We’re aware of the other team, but we don’t alter our game plan because of them.”
With all 13 athletes following their own individual pre-game ritual, it was clear that the men were all focused on their role in tonight’s game. While some paired up to swim laps and loosen up for the long night ahead of them, others who knew they would need to execute at the goal warmed up their shooting arms. Towards the end of practice, the team came together for some more shooting practice. They looked good. And they looked confident.
Australian Team Preview
With the addition of three returning veterans from the 1996 Olympics, Australia will play at home with 11 returning Olympians. Considered one the fastest teams in the world, Australia will be a tough draw and a strong contender for this year’s championship title. Their Junior program is equally as strong, medaling twice in the last two FINA Junior World Championships. Key players to watch include Thomas Whalan (2 Olympics), Gavin Woods (3 Olympics), Daniel Marsden (4 Olympics), Sam McGregor (1 Olympics) and Pietro Figlioli (1 Olympics) all of whom play in Europe and bring tremendous fire power and speed to the Australian’s game.
About USA Water Polo: USA Water Polo, Inc. is a non-profit corporation organized for the purpose to serve as the national governing body for the sport of water polo in the United States under the auspices of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). For more information please visit www.usawaterpolo.com.
