British water polo upbeat despite heavy defeats

GREAT Britain's women's water polo team were given a salutary lesson on the hard work ahead at this weekend's FINA water polo World League in Budapest.

They edged a close-fought victory over Italy and pushed Germany close but surrendered more than 40 goals - and scored just 11 - as they were hammered 17-7 at the hands of Russia, bronze medallists at last year's World Championships, and 25-4 by an equally powerful Hungary, who finished fourth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"I think when we beat Germany, they won't beat our current team again," said centre forward Angie Winstanley-Smith.

"As soon as we get a result against one of the biggest teams, it'll start to become a regular thing. We've got so close so we just need to push through now.

"I think it's more to do with self-belief. We need to think that we can beat anyone - we need to believe in ourselves. It's coming though - we just need that one result.

"We're competitive in every match now. In 2007, we were losing by ten goals to teams like Germany and we've bridged that gap to the top teams in a really short space of time.

"They have all improved, but we've improved more."

Despite the two heavy defeats, world class performance manager Joanna Wray also sees cause for optimism ahead of the next round of World League fixtures in Italy.

"The girls are now playing at this top level with Russia, Germany, Hungary and Italy, and although some of the scores didn't look so good on paper, the matches were excellent and we were always in the games," she insisted.

"The match against the Germans was so nail biting, it was so close throughout the match with a goal here and a goal there.  The girls showed great teamwork in defence and have really improved working together in this way.  

"Even in the last few months since last going away with the girls in March I can see such an improvement in their play."