Australia's women's water polo team have fallen short in their bid for a first world title since 1986 after losing to hosts Spain in Friday's final.
After a slow start, the Stingers were always playing catch-up and trailed from start to finish in an 8-6 loss.
Olympic silver medallists Spain claimed their first world title, much to the delight of an enthusiastic home crowd in Barcelona.
Australia picked up world championship silver but the result inflicted more pain on the women's water polo heavyweights.
They suffered a heartbreaking loss to eventual champions the US at the London Olympics before taking bronze.
Australia trailed 2-1 after the first quarter, 5-3 at halftime and maintained a two-goal margin heading into the final quarter.
However, Spain never allowed the Stingers to mount a serious comeback.
Zoe Aranchi, Glencora McGhie, Rowena Webster, Ashleigh Southern, Holly Lincoln-Smith and Isabel Bishop all scored for Australia.
Hungary beat Russia 10-8 in the bronze medal match.
Australia's men's team lost in the quarter-finals, falling in a heartbreaking extra-time defeat to Olympic champions Croatia on Tuesday.
Stingers coach Greg McFadden was disappointed but proud of his side's effort.
"Spain played very well. Their keeper had an outstanding game and we couldn't convert our opportunities," McFadden said.
"Our defence was very good and that's what we've been working on.
"But Spain has been together for three years, they've won a world junior championship, they played in the gold medal final at the Olympics and they're a very experienced team and are used to playing in this hostile environment.
"For our girls, they've only been together three months, and it's been a fantastic effort so we can hold our heads high and are very proud of everyone."
