Laurence of Australia stood tall against world champions

Did the crowd at Sydney Olympic Park watch a movie script played out in real life during the Australia-Spain World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup quarter finals?

By the end of a drama-charged penalty shootout, it could have appeared so – especially  to the locals in the stand who screamed themselves hoarse while urging their team on to their 23-21 victory in a penalty shootout. By doing so, they created an atmosphere worthy of an Australian sporting moment that should inspire generations to come.

The Aussie squad’s performance was best summed up by Olympian Thomas Hoad considered the ‘grandfather of Australian water polo,’ who, with tears welling in his eyes, encapsulated the moment’s emotion: ‘They’re the best team in the world and we beat them.’ Television commentator Jon Harker was moved by ‘the blood, the brilliance, the bravery, the tears and the joy’.

Make no mistake, this was a classic David v Goliath match-up: underdog Aussie Sharks pitted against Spain’s reigning world champions . . . an intense ferocity  . . . bulls versus matadors . . . blood in the water . . . dramatic reviews by match officials . . . Aussie heartbreak when, with seconds remaining, a goal that could’ve levelled the scores 18-all (after being at one stage four goals behind) was denied . . .  then, with the timekeeper’s finger creeping towards the fulltime buzzer, unbridled elation when Paris Olympian Matt Byrnes slammed the ball home to consign coaches, players, match officials, the crowd to the tension of a penalty shootout . . .

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It is said cometh the hour, cometh the man . . . and up popped New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Laurence Barker. Wearing the lucky number 13 on his cap, Barker looked every inch a 22-year-old with electric-like energy, seemingly no hint of self-doubt, and obvious talent as he waited calmly to defend Australia’s goal mouth from five Spanish attempts.

‘Iceman’ Barker later reveal nerves were the last thing on his mind. He instead summoned strength from the crowd, which included his mother, willing him on to succeed. While Barker embraced his date with destiny, fellow NSWIS teammate Tristan Glanznig was steeling himself to take what would be Australia’s fourth (successful) penalty shot.

What on earth could Barker have possibly been thinking with all eyes in the arena fixed on him from the stands, and battle-hardened Spaniards staring him down in the water? Each knowing all they needed to do to play in Saturday’s semi against fellow powerhouse Hungary was get the ball past him.

“I had all the confidence in him,” Glanznig said. “Having all the penalty practice against him and knowing he’s a really good penalty goalkeeper, I was just hoping he’d pull up with at least one save – and he did!  Laurence has got as much of the credit as the win as the rest of the penalty shooters, but regardless of all that it really was a team win.”

 Australia nailed their first penalty shot. Spain successfully returned fire. The home team ensured their second counted, then Spain . . . . mighty Spain . . . was denied their return shot when Fran Valera’s attempt was masterfully blocked by Barker. The Aussie ‘keeper roared with delight, clenched his fists and punched the water in celebration. The crowd – everyone – went wild.

After the match Barker was asked to reveal the thoughts that raced through his mind from the moment he was pitchforked into the fray, replacing Nic Porter, at the beginning of the final quarter.

“To be honest, I wasn’t thinking anything really,” Barker boomed above the noise, buzzing from excitement and emotion. “I was just thinking ‘watch their arms, look at the ball, watch where it’s going and save the ball,’ basically.

“And then, if I had to go up in offence [coach Tim Hamill directed Barker to leave the goals empty and join the action when the Sharks sought a last second miracle], then I had to go up.  Do what the coaches tell me, all that sort of stuff.

“I was feeling good when it came to the penalties. And so, when it came to the shootout, I was thinking, ‘I’ll probably get one here, but we’ll see how it goes’ and I ended up getting one.”

Iceman Barker also revealed the atmosphere generated by the crowd pushed him and his teammates, each of whom he credited for the win.

“It was . . . oh my God . . . I don’t even have words to explain how amazing the atmosphere is here, being at SOPAC, all the fans here. When Marcus scored that goal to even us up; it was disallowed . . . but the roar . . . I got goosebumps in the water!  It was so crazy, I don’t even have words  . . . I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW AMAZING IT WAS.”

Amid the beautiful mayhem of a special victory, Barker acknowledged his nearest and dearest in the stands.

“My mum, she’s in the crowd,” he beamed when asked to reveal the person he thought about first in the team’s moment of triumph. “She’s been my biggest supporter from day one. I love her so much.”

Glanznig, 23, said he and his fellow Sharks were motivated to give the World Cup Finals a good crack.

“It means everything,” Glanznig said of the victory. “It was such a hard fought win, and it is our first major tournament on home soil. Spain is such a consistently competitive country – and it just meant everything to play in front of your friends and family.

“Just to give everything, and just to pull away with a win with that goal in the last second [of regular time] and a penalty shootout means everything. It’s a good indication of our character.

“It’s just the Aussie fighting way, the Aussie fighting spirit. I’ve just really tried to soak it all in.”

Ecstatic Sharks skipper Nathan Power, a Newcastle boy, echoed Glanznig’s and Barker’s view that if the win was anything, it was a team victory

“Jacob Mercep absolutely stood up – all those goals he was scoring were so incredibly important in swinging the momentum for us,” he said. “Marcus (Berehulak) who has a bloody eye, has to go off and get treated, comes back taped up like a State of Origin player and stands up and performs, scoring crucial goals at the end. 

“Finally, the five boys taking penalties – they’re some of the young boys that really stepped up in a massive, massive moment. It was just incredibly cool to witness.”

Yes, it truly was . . .

Daniel Lane, NSWIS