Roberta Bianconi (front) of Italy celebrates during the women's water polo quarterfinal between China and Italy at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 15, 2016. Italy beat China with 12:7. (Photo: Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)
The Chinese women's water polo team lost to Italy 12-7 (1:1, 3:1, 4:2, 4:3) at the Rio Olympic Games on Monday.[Special coverage]
The Chinese team was winless in Rio and failed to make the semifinals. They were beated by Spain 12-8, lost to the United States 12-4 and defeated by Hungary 13-11. Italy made the semifinals after the match.
"We lost our way towards the end and we couldn't find a way back. We rushed our play and we were too much in a hurry at times. We needed to be more patient. We played well at the start but their goalkeeper was very strong and we just didn't play as well as we did during the group matches," said Zhang Cong, who cried after the game.
"This is my first Olympic Games and also maybe my last. This might have been my only chance to do well. I don't want people to feel sorry for me as I have done my best. I will see how I feel after tomorrow and then make a decision about my future," said the girl.
Also on Monday, the United States beat Brazil 13-3, Hungary defeated Australia 13-11, and Russia beat Spain 12-10.
