Tears of joy for Stingers as heroic shootout save from Gabi Palm puts Australia in gold medal match

PARIS: A brilliant goalkeeping display from Gabi Palm has put Australia into the gold medal match after the Stingers mounted a heroic comeback to down the USA in a thrilling semi-final shootout after trailing 5-2 at half-time.

The Australians were outplayed in the first half and struggled to break the shackles with the USA employing a high defensive press, but an incredible four-goal third quarter from Abby Andrews put the game back within reach, with the Stingers trailing 7-6 with one period to play.

Two fourth quarter goals from Bronte Halligan was enough to force the game into a shootout at 8-8 and the first 11 attempts on goal by both teams were successful.

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With Australia leading the shootout 6-5, it came down to one final duel, and it was the outstretched right arm of Palm that made the decisive play, blocking the shot of USA's Maddie Musselman to end the game.

Tears followed as the Stingers embraced each other poolside before hyping up the fans at La Defense Arena.

"Oh my god, that last save. I was next to shoot in the sudden death and I've never been so glad to have (Palm) behind me because holy...," a relieved Andrews told Nine after full-time.

Zoe Arancini added: "I'm just ecstatic, I'm over the moon, I don't think it's all registering to be honest.

"I think we celebrate this win then we get ready for the gold medal match, which is just unbelievable."

Arancini praised a "very special group", revealing the values that the Stingers are living by as they go for gold in Paris.

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"Our goal was to be fun, energetic, ruthless and I think we've shown that," she said.

"We've got one more game to go, so that's what we're going to bring."

Certainly after full-time the Stingers brought the fun, with the team standing on the poolside platform together and jumping around in delirious celebration, while the crowd in front of them brought the energy.

But the ruthlessness was lacking until the game turned in the third quarter, with Andrews and Halligan raining goals on the Americans just when the powerhouse water polo nation appeared to have the game under lock and key.

Earlier, Australia had been frustrated by the swarm of the USA defence, often settling for weak shot attempts as the shot clock approached its expiry, while impressive American 'keeper Ashleigh Johnson made some superb saves on the few occasions she was called into meaningful action.

But at the other end, Palm was every bit as brilliant, making some incredible close range saves and saving a first quarter penalty when the US was dominant.

"I really just hone in on the ball, clear my mind and just focus on what I can do," she said after the game.

The heart-stopping win gives Australia its first gold medal shot in women's water polo since Sydney 2000, when the Stingers won a dramatic final against the USA, breaking the deadlock in the last second of the game.

Australia has since won two Olympic bronze medals in women's water polo but now have a huge opportunity to add a second gold when they play Spain on Saturday night (AEST).