Stingers through to water polo semis Australia's women's water polo team booked a spot in the world championships semi-finals with a 9-5 victory over defending champions Greece in Barcelona on Monday. The Stingers unleashed their trademark physical defence from the opening whistle and never looked back as they built on a 3-1 first quarter to seal their first world championships semi-final appearance since 2007. Australia set up a clash on Wednesday with Russia, who eased past Canada 17-9 in their quarter-final. London Olympians Bronwen Knox, Rowie Webster, Glencora McGhie and Ashleigh South all scored twice in the Stingers' victory, with skipper Knox particularly pleased with her team's determination. I couldn't be happier with our team effort. We had such a great defence and we really worked to the finish," Knox said. We will now play Russia which will be a very tough game. I haven't been in a world championship semi-final since 2007 and a lot of these girls haven't been in one so it will be a new experience, but one we are very excited about. Hosts Spain face Hungary in the other semi, having taking out Olympic champions USA 9-6. The Australian men's team face Olympic champions Croatia in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.