Greece edged hosts China 9-8 in the water polo final Friday to secure their first ever women's gold medal in any sport at the world aquatics championships. In a tight contest in Shanghai in front of 1,600 spectators, the Europeans struck first but the teams were all square at 2-2 after the first period.
Greece scored twice to lead 4-2 at the halfway point, and maintained their two-goal lead during a high-scoring third period in which both sides scored four times. The killer blow for China came early in the fourth period when Greece scored again to go ahead 9-6, and although China pulled two back in a frantic finish, they could not find the equaliser.
"It was a close match. Although it's a pity that we did not win the gold, we've drawn lessons from these matches and I'm sure the Chinese girls will make progress in future," said China coach Pan Shenghua. "We are looking forward to good results at next year's London Olympics." In the match to decide third place, Russia clinched their third bronze in a row by beating Italy 8-7.
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