Sharks 'happy to take underdog tag' ahead of blockbuster World Cup

Australia's men's water polo team, the Sharks, are heading into the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Finals with a familiar sense of being the underdog. Their campaign begins Thursday against formidable opponents, the reigning world champions Spain. While many might find the prospect daunting, the Sharks are accustomed to defying expectations.

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I think if you were to ask anyone else in the world outside of our group, they would call us underdogs. But I think you ask any one of us in our group, we'd give you a very different answer. As Australians, as we all know, we're more than happy to take the underdog tag. I actually think Australians relish that.

"I think if you were to ask anyone else in the world outside of our group, they would call us underdogs," goalkeeper Nic Porter told ABC Sport. "But I think you ask any one of us in our group, we'd give you a very different answer. As Australians, as we all know, we're more than happy to take the underdog tag. I actually think Australians relish that."

The Sharks are drawing confidence from their surprising performance at the Paris Olympics. There, they stunned Serbia, the eventual gold medalists, with a decisive 8-3 victory in the group stages. "The way we approached the game against Serbia was, we had no fear," Porter recalled. "And I think we must do the same in this tournament."

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The way we approached the game against Serbia was, we had no fear. And I think we must do the same in this tournament.

Coach Tim Hamill also highlighted the significance of their victories in Paris, particularly against Hungary, the most successful nation in men's Olympic water polo history, and host nation France, both by 9-8 scorelines. "That was a special night, the French night," Hamill said. "Among others, that was really special."

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That was a special night, the French night. Among others, that was really special.

Looking ahead to the match against Spain, Porter stressed the importance of a strong opening. "The key for us and everything that we're focusing on now is those first four minutes against Spain. Dominate those first four minutes and then let's have a look at the rest of the game after that. I think if we can start really hot with a home crowd backing us, supporting us, giving us a bit of extra energy, I think it's going to be a really difficult night for the Spanish."

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The key for us and everything that we're focusing on now is those first four minutes against Spain. Dominate those first four minutes and then let's have a look at the rest of the game after that. I think if we can start really hot with a home crowd backing us, supporting us, giving us a bit of extra energy, I think it's going to be a really difficult night for the Spanish.