LONDON 2012: Coach Fekete upbeat after Olympic test event opener

Posted: Thursday 3rd May 2012 | 22:56

BRITISH head coach Szilveszter Fekete knows his women's water polo side are in for a tough week - but insists they'll be better for the experience of an Olympic test event schedule that is certainly testing.

Fekete watched Great Britain lose 10-4 to Pan Pacific Championships Australia, one of the leading medal contenders at this summer's Olympics.

And they've got matches with World Cup champions USA and water polo powerhouses Hungary to come in the next two days.

“We had opportunities that we didn’t take but I think generally it was a good performance,” said Fekete.

“We had good intensity, good movement and a very organised defence.

“Australia is always a hard game. This season they have won every tournament they have participated in and I think at this moment they are one of the best teams in the world.

“So I think it was a good performance up until the last four or five minutes.”

Great Britain certainly more than held their own until Australia's superior quality told in the final quarter but they were still delighted to get a first taste of this summer's 5,000 seater Olympic venue.

“We started with a bit of nerves but once we got into the game it went alright,” said Fiona McCann.

“The Australians are a great opposition – they’re really strong. It was a fantastic game to play because now we know what’s going to hit us when we come to the Olympics and we can learn from this to prepare for the Games.

“When we first walked through the door, we were all a bit taken aback but once we’d got through the line-up, everyone was buzzing.

“The atmosphere was great and it wasn’t even full tonight so when the Olympics come it’s going to be fantastic.”