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Russia wrests away water polo bronze medal from Canadian women in Athens

Russia broke open a tightly contested bronze-medal game Saturday, taking a 9-5 lead n the third quarter over Canada, pictured, on the way to a 14-10 victory at the World League Super Final in Athens. (Twitter/@fina1908 - image credit)
Russia broke open a tightly contested bronze-medal game Saturday, taking a 9-5 lead n the third quarter over Canada, pictured, on the way to a 14-10 victory at the World League Super Final in Athens. (Twitter/@fina1908 - image credit)

Canada will depart the World League Super Final without a water polo medal but having gained valuable game experience ahead of the women's Olympic tournament next month in Tokyo.

The Canadians dropped a 14-10 decision to Russia in the bronze-medal match on Saturday in Athens.

Russia, which also won bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, had lost 12-10 to Canada in the preliminary round in Greece.

"Russia plays a fast pace game. We will need to be ready," head coach David Paradelo said before Saturday's game.

WATCH | Emma Wright paces Canadian attack in medal loss:

The Canadians, who have yet to finalize their Olympic roster, were ready and stayed with the Russians until they pulled away in the third quarter with a 9-5 lead.

Emma Wright led Canada's offence with three goals while Monika Eggens, Kelly McKee, Hayley McKelvey, Gurpreet Sohi and Axelle Crevier also scored.

It was only the second loss for the Canadians, who lost 14-10 to Hungary in Friday's semifinals.

The United States outscored Hungary in the fourth quarter for a 14-8 victory in Saturday's gold-medal game.

Canada opens the Olympic tourney July 24 against Australia at the Tatsumi Water Polo Centre.

WATCH | Canada suffers semifinal loss to Hungary: