NANTERRE, France (AP) — The U.S. dominance in women’s water polo ended Thursday night due to a flurry of turnovers and a terrific defensive performance by Gabi Palm and Australia.

Palm fended off Maddie Musselman in the penalty shootout and the Aussies returned to their glory days with a dramatic 14-13 win in the semi-finals. Olympic Games in Parisending the United States’ attempt to win a fourth consecutive gold medal.

Australia won gold in the first women’s water polo tournament at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, and also won bronze medals in 2008 and 2012. Since then, however, the team has not made it to the Olympic podium again – until now.

“It’s very special to be able to forge our own path in history and continue that legacy,” Palm said.

Australia next faces Spain, who advanced with a 19-18 penalty shootout win over the Netherlands. The gold medal match will take place on Saturday at the La Defense Arena in Paris.

The United States led 5-2 at halftime and 8-6 at the start of the fourth quarter, but struggled on offense for the second straight game. The Americans needed 17 saves from Ashleigh Johnson to beat Hungary 5-4 in the quarterfinals.

Due to Australia’s superior size and length, the USA only managed three goals in the second half.

“I’m just incredibly proud of how we fought and fought,” said US coach Adam Krikorian. “We worked our asses off. … As combative as we were, the Australians were just as combative.”

For the USA, it was the second defeat at the Paris Games and the third at the Olympics overall since they lost the final to the Netherlands in 2008. In London, the game ended 5-0-1, in Rio de Janeiro 6-0 and in Tokyo 6-1.

The USA will play the Netherlands for bronze on Saturday. No team – neither men’s nor women’s – has won four consecutive water polo titles at the Olympic Games.

“We just have to get better and show how resilient we are and how much better we can be,” said US captain Maggie Steffens. “It’s going to be a tough game.”

Australia won 6 of 6 penalties before Palm Musselman saved the decisive goal. Abby Andrews converted her try in the tiebreaker after starting the Australian comeback with four goals in the third quarter – each from a similar point.

Australia was swept by the United States in a three-game series in California in April.

“I’ve never beaten the U.S. in a major tournament – World Cup, World Cup – nothing,” Andrews said. “It was crazy. This is all about belief. We knew we could do it and we did it.”

Spain’s best player was Judith Forca, who scored five goals in regulation time and also converted her attempt in the shootout. Bea Ortiz, Elena Ruiz, Paula Crespi and Maica García Godoy also scored and Spain won 5 out of 5 in the tiebreak.

Goalkeeper Martina Terre saved Brigitte Sleeking’s penalty before García Godoy sealed the victory.

The victories by Spain and Australia marked the first two times at the Olympic Games that a women’s semifinal was decided by penalty kicks.

Spain improved to 6-0 and is now aiming for the country’s first gold medal in women’s water polo. In the final in London they lost to the USA and Tokyo.

“We don’t want silver again. We’re only here for the gold,” said Anni Espar Llaquet. “It’s been a long road. It’s been a hard road to get here.”

“We have one more game, we have dreamed about this for several years, and I think now is our time to shine.”

Simone van de Kraats scored four goals for the Netherlands as they beat Spain 8-7 to win the European Championship in January. Vivian Sevenich, Nina ten Broek, Lieke Rogge and Kitty Lynn Joustra each scored twice.

The Netherlands got off to a rocky start and Forca scored to make it 6-1 late in the first period. But Spain’s attack seemed a bit sluggish in the third period and the Netherlands got back on their feet.

Ten Broek converted some well-placed lobs and after three rounds the score was 11:11.

“I’m sad that we lost the game, but at the beginning of the game nobody believed that we could equalize and almost win,” said Dutch player Sabrina van der Sloot. “That’s why I’m really proud of my team and the way we fought back.”

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AP Olympiad: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games