Sharks relish challenge 27 July 2012

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• Billy Miller of Australia shoots during the 2012 World League Finals in Kazakhst...

WATER POLO: Can Australia turn its recent good form into an Olympic medal? That’s the question about to be answered by our men’s water polo squad.
Australia recently has beaten world champions Italy and drawn with European power Spain, teams they will meet at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Now, Australia’s focus falls to an elusive medal that has eluded it during 14 previous Olympic campaigns.
First up is Italy, an opponent that has traditionally resulted in nail-biting results. And that opening contest is one coach John Fox is relishing.
“They are the world champions and we are primed for that game,” Fox said.
“All of the pressure will be on them, and we will hunt them. It is a fantastic challenge and one we are all looking forward to.”
While the first game is always crucial at an international tournament, everyone associated with the Australian team recognises it is the first of many critical contests.

“Every game is basically going to be a one-goal game,” Fox noted.
“It is about making sure that one goal falls in our favour. It has been like that for a couple of years. We can match it with all the best teams, and we have to turn those performances into wins. We expect to play well in every game that we play.”
After the Italy game Australia will also face Kazakhstan, Spain, Croatia and Greece.
Australia will likely need at least two wins to advance to the knockout quarter final stage.
It is a feat that the team feels is likely.
"We've had some good results recently," debut Olympian James Clark said.

"Those results have given us confidence going into the Games. We're ready to play Italy in the opening game."

Richie Campbell, who also competed at Beijing, has confidence that this team can earn a spot on the podium for the first time.

"We want a medal for sure," Campbell said.

"Every game is going to be tough, it's the Olympics. We will take every game as if we are playing the best team in the world."
Australia has twice finished fifth in Olympic competition - at Los Angeles (1984) and Barcelona (1992).
Their best result at a World Championship was a fourth in 1998.