By Lori Ewing
PARIS (Reuters) – Spain’s women’s water polo team exacted a bit of revenge on three-times reigning champions the United States in a rematch of the 2020 Olympics gold-medal game, holding on for a 13-11 preliminary round victory at the Paris Olympics on Monday.
Spain lead Group B with six points, while the Americans are third with three.
The 13 goals conceded in the match were the most the Americans have allowed in three Olympics. The U.S. clobbered Spain 14-5 in the gold-medal game at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the most lopsided Olympics final in history.
“Well, I think obviously it was a great game by us,” said Spain’s Anni Espar Llaquet. “We’re very happy about the win, we obviously have a lot of little mistakes still that we can improve, but I think it’s a very good win.”
Bea Ortiz led the Spaniards with five goals at the Paris Aquatic Centre.
“(Ortiz) is an amazing player, she had a great game today, she was on fire, we’re very proud of her,” Espar Llaquet said. “We are a great team, but she had an amazing game.”
The last time the U.S. had conceded so many goals in the Olympics was in their 2012 opener, a 14-13 win over Hungary.
France edged Italy 9-8 for their first-ever Olympic win in Monday’s other Group B game and are second on three points.
“I’m still processing this result because it’s history for this team, the country of France, and the history of the Olympics,” said France goalie Mia Rycraw.
China play the Netherlands while Hungary clash with Canada in Monday’s later Group A games.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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