Aussies thump Brazil 11-4

The Stingers are still hurting.

But the Australian women's water polo team were still able to inflict some pain of their own, thrashing hosts Brazil 11-4 in their Rio Olympic classification clash on Wednesday.

The Stingers are still reeling from bowing out of the medal race following a heartbreaking quarter-final penalty shootout loss to Hungary.

They were chasing their third straight Olympic medal at Rio.

And they vented their frustration on the unsuspecting hosts at the Rio Aquatics Centre.

Hat-tricks by Zoe Arancini and Ash Southern helped Australia book a playoff for fifth on Friday with either China or Spain.

Australia eased their way into the game, holding a 2-1 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The lead blew out to 5-2 by halftime before Australia iced the result with a 4-1 third term.

Meanwhile, Italy on Wednesday won through to their first Olympic women's water polo final since they won Athens 2004 gold.

Arianna Garibotti scored five goals to help Italy down Russia 12-9 in their semi-final.

They take on the winner of Wednesday's other semi-final between Australia's conquerors Hungary and favourites the United States.

Italy have bounced back after sixth and seventh placings at Beijing and London respectively.

"The final is the dream," Italy coach Fabio Conti said.

"Every player, every athlete, every coach wants to reach that dream and now we have to make sure the dream doesn't stop."