Days like today are never fun. Both our men and women come into this tournament with the plan of winning all of their games. While thus far we have seen some ties and losses none meant the end of the road in the way of winning medals until today when we started the quarterfinals. The Women's squad lost today to Russia 9-7 in a match they seemed firmly in control of in the first half only to have it go the other way in the second half. The loss means that the team won't play for a medal which in the last 11 years has not happened very often, in fact it almost never happens. This will be the first World Championships the team doesn't finish fourth or better since 1998 and also halts a streak of having won every major FINA title in the last two years. I think the loss kind of magnifies the success, it is a little more surprising since it rarely happens. That said the big prizes are still out there to be had, a berth to the Olympics this fall at the Pan American Games and then hopefully the Olympics themselves next year.
The men are on deck tomorrow with a great opportunity to put themselves in a great spot to secure an Olympic berth. A win and they are into the top four, provided Serbia can also get into the top four that will assure the USA of an Olympic berth which would be a huge step to get out of the day. For a little clarification the top three men's teams earn Olympic berths but if the winner of the World League Super Final, who also earned a berth, were to finish in the top three, then the top four get to head to London. With Serbia already booking their ticket for 2012 by winning World League it opens things up if they can keep winning.
In other women's news both Australia and the Netherlands lost in their quarterfinals and Canada/China will be added to that mix making for one heck of a 5th-8th bracket.
That is about for today, Eastbound and Down Season 2 which I've long been waiting to see is scheduled to be on HBO Pacific later tonight so at least the day can end on a positive note. Back with men's action tomorrow.
In other women's news both Australia and the Netherlands lost in their quarterfinals and Canada/China will be added to that mix making for one heck of a 5th-8th bracket.
That is about for today, Eastbound and Down Season 2 which I've long been waiting to see is scheduled to be on HBO Pacific later tonight so at least the day can end on a positive note. Back with men's action tomorrow.
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