USA claim water polo world title in Rome

UNITED STATES defended their women's water polo title at the World Championships in Rome.

However, Adam Krikorian's side - who have won three of the last four championships - were made to fight all the way by a determined Canadian team, before edging a 7-6 victory.

Kelly Rulon's penalty shot with just over three minutes remaining was ultimately decisive.

But Canada had a late chance to equalise, Elizabeth Armstrong beating away Tara Campbell's ferocious shot with seconds remaining.

Canada were inspired by a four-goal haul from Emily Csikos but it was not enough to prevent the USA - who had Elsie Windes expelled from the game in the second quarter - making up for their failure in last year's Olympic final.

"Canada played an outstanding water polo,” said Krikorian.

“Most people in the world didn't give enough credit to Canada and maybe they are going to progress even more towards London 2012.

"I don't know if we played our best game but we played enough well to win and that is all that matters.

"We have a positive, competitive and intelligent group. Even after we lost to Russia in the prelimins, we continued to believe and stayed focused on our goal. We did a great job."

Elsewhere, Russia claimed bronze with another narrow victory, edging past Greece 10-9.