The Australian men's water polo team have made a disappointing start to their FINA World League Super Finals campaign in Italy, suffering a 7-5 loss to the home side.
The Aussie Sharks appeared to have the match well in hand at halftime in Bergamo on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST), as they took a 3-1 lead into the break.
Jarrod Gilchrist, Joel Swift and captain Rhys Howden had put points on the board, and the stand-out defence, particularly goalkeeper Joel Dennerley, looked set to guide the Australians to victory.
But a barrage of Italian goals, starting just one minute into the third quarter, left Australia blindsided, as the hosts put on five unanswered goals and local fans found their voices after the quiet first half.
Italy came out screaming again in the final quarter, taking their total to seven before Australia's Nathan Power and Aaron Younger added two more - but it was too little, too late.
The super finals are this season's main precursor to the 2015 FINA World Championships, which begin in Kazan, Russia, at the end of July.
Australia next face USA on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) before the final group stage match against Serbia, the winners of the last two world league super finals, on Thursday (Friday AEST).
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