Half Full?

In Day 2 action of the Olympic Games in Beijing the Canadian men's water polo team dropped their opener against the third ranked Spanish team 16-6.

Despite being pummeled by Spain’s hard playing defense, the Canadian men need to be applauded not only for matching the blows in the first half, but also because this is the first time the national men's water polo team has ever officially qualified for the Olympic Games.

In 1972 the team was invited to the Munich Games after one of the qualified countries declined. Four years later Canada was automatically given entry due to the perks of hosting the event. Moscow’s boycotting of the 1984 Games gave Canada their last appearance in an Olympic pool.

The road to Beijing started in March for the men when they traveled to Romania for a 12 team, last chance qualifying tournament. The Canadians needed to finish in the top four to secure a spot in Beijing.

With a new found hunger that was instilled by coach Dragan Jovanovic the Canadian men defeated the hometown team 9-8.

“Dragan has been the catalyst. I hate to say it but there’s probably been some more talented teams that have come before us but there was always a little something missing,” Nathaniel Miller told the Toronto Sun. “Dragan brought that winning mentality. It’s not about winning this game or that game, it’s about how you perform, how you approach a game. And even in loses, making sure you are doing things and you are behaving like a winner.”

The Canadian women failed to qualify.

Aaron Feltham, 26, of Ottawa was Canada's lead scorer of the game with a pair of goals; the second earned on a penalty shot in the final quarter with less than a minute on the clock.

Jean Sayegh of Quebec City, Kevin Graham of Regina, Thomas Marks of Calgary and Justin Boyd of Calgary each scored their first Olympic goal today. Boyd's extra point was earned on a fourth-quarter penalty shot.

The men are set to meet up with Montenegro in tomorrow's action.