BEIJING, Aug 19: The United States battled their way into the final of the Olympic women’s waterpolo on Tuesday with a 9-8 victory over arch-rivals Australia.

Brenda Villa scored a stunning goal in the last minute to set up a clash against the Netherlands, who defeated Hungary 8-7 in the other semi-final.

The other semi-final was equally close. Hungary took an early 2-0 lead against the Netherlands, who had beaten champions Italy on Sunday in a penalty shoot-out.

Lefke van Belkum scored three goals for the Netherlands to take them into a 6-4 lead. Team mate Marieke van den Ham also scored three.

The Hungarians threw everything at the Dutch who stayed doggedly ahead in a stamina-sapping last quarter before landing their place in the final.—Reuters