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US women’s water polo team handed a rare loss at the Paris Olympics

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US women’s water polo team handed a rare loss at the Paris Olympics
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US women’s water polo team handed a rare loss at the Paris Olympics

2024-07-30 01:08 Last Updated At:01:11

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — The U.S. women's water polo team was handed a rare loss at the Paris Olympics on Monday, falling 13-11 to Bea Ortiz and Spain in a rematch of the final at the Tokyo Games.

The U.S. is going for its fourth consecutive gold medal. No team — men or women — has won four straight water polo titles at the Olympics.

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Spain's head coach Miguel Angel Oca Gaia and United States' head coach Adam Krikorian hug following their women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Spain's head coach Miguel Angel Oca Gaia and United States' head coach Adam Krikorian hug following their women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Supporters of Spain team celebrate after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Supporters of Spain team celebrate after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Supporters of Spain team celebrate after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Supporters of Spain team celebrate after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Spain's Anni Espar Llaquet, right, is blocked by United States' Kaleigh Gilchrist during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Spain's Anni Espar Llaquet, right, is blocked by United States' Kaleigh Gilchrist during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Jovana Sekulic, left, and Spain's Nona Perez Vivas battle for the ball during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Jovana Sekulic, left, and Spain's Nona Perez Vivas battle for the ball during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Spain's Paula Leiton Arrones celebrates after scoring during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Spain's Paula Leiton Arrones celebrates after scoring during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' head coach Adam Krikorian leaves after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' head coach Adam Krikorian leaves after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

It was the program's second loss at the Olympics since it dropped the 2008 final. It went 5-0-1 in London, 6-0 in Rio de Janeiro and 6-1 in Tokyo.

“It’s a long tournament," U.S. coach Adam Krikorian said. "We’ve got to learn from it and hopefully, if we get in that situation again, we can be a bit more poised.”

After its 10-9 loss to Hungary in group play in 2021, the U.S. ripped off four straight wins by a combined score of 63-26. That included a dominant 14-5 victory over Spain in the final.

This time around, it was a much different performance.

Ortiz scored five times on eight shots for Spain, which beat France 15-6 in its Group B opener on Saturday. Maica Garcia Godoy had two goals, and Paula Leiton Arrones also scored while taking advantage of the United States' youth at the center position.

“It feels great, but this is not the goal of the tournament,” Spain's Anni Espar Llaquet said. “It was an important game and we want to try to get ranked first in the group, but this means nothing.”

The U.S. began its Olympic schedule with an impressive 15-6 victory over Greece. It dropped to 18-2 this year ahead of Wednesday's game against Italy.

Rachel Fattal scored early in the third quarter to trim the U.S. deficit to 7-6. But Ortiz responded with four consecutive goals in a dazzling stretch.

“We should have been able to adjust a little quicker and when we did, you could see us slowly but surely crawling our way back," U.S. attacker Kaleigh Gilchrist said. “If we could have done a few things differently in the third quarter, who knows? But that’s the way it goes.”

The U.S. closed to 11-10 when Gilchrist scored with 5:35 left. The American team then had a chance to tie the game, but it committed a turnover.

Llaquet scored a big goal for Spain with 4:10 remaining, and goaltender Martina Terre stopped U.S. star Maddie Musselman's penalty shot to help close it out.

“I like penalties," Terre said. "They scored their first two, but the third one was my chance to finally stop that ball. I was grateful to save it, but I’m critical of myself. I need to be better and save more balls in the future.”

Jordan Raney scored a team-high two goals for the United States. Goaltender Ashleigh Johnson scored in the final seconds, but she made 13 saves on 26 shots in an uneven performance.

“I’m incredibly proud of how we came back, but I wasn’t pleased with how we handled being down there in the first place," Krikorian said.

“We got away from what the plan was. We stopped trusting each other a bit, and that’s how they were able to widen the gap.”

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Spain's head coach Miguel Angel Oca Gaia and United States' head coach Adam Krikorian hug following their women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Spain's head coach Miguel Angel Oca Gaia and United States' head coach Adam Krikorian hug following their women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Supporters of Spain team celebrate after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Supporters of Spain team celebrate after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Supporters of Spain team celebrate after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Supporters of Spain team celebrate after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Spain's Anni Espar Llaquet, right, is blocked by United States' Kaleigh Gilchrist during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Spain's Anni Espar Llaquet, right, is blocked by United States' Kaleigh Gilchrist during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Jovana Sekulic, left, and Spain's Nona Perez Vivas battle for the ball during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Jovana Sekulic, left, and Spain's Nona Perez Vivas battle for the ball during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Spain's Paula Leiton Arrones celebrates after scoring during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Spain's Paula Leiton Arrones celebrates after scoring during a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' head coach Adam Krikorian leaves after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' head coach Adam Krikorian leaves after a women's water polo Group B preliminary match between USA and Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

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Everything you need to know about the 2025 Sundance Film Festival

2025-01-23 00:08 Last Updated At:00:11

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — As many in the entertainment industry navigate the devastating effects of the California wildfires, some will soon be decamping to cleaner air in the mountains. The annual Sundance Film Festival begins Thursday in Park City, Utah.

The 41st edition of Robert Redford’s brainchild will, as always, be a year of discovery and discussion. There are timely films:

— “Free Leonard Peltier,” which will premiere just days after former President Joe Biden commuted the sentence of the Indigenous activist nearly half a century after he was imprisoned for the 1975 killings of two FBI agents.

— Oscar-winner Mstyslav Chernov’s“2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a joint production between The Associated Press and Frontline about an attempt to liberate an occupied territory in Ukraine

— Several films about trans rights including “Heightened Scrutiny,” about civil rights lawyer Chase Strangio. It's a topic even more pressing after President Donald Trump signed executive orders Monday rolling back protections for transgender people.

There are even some controversies brewing: “The Stringer,” from documentary filmmaker Bao Nguyen, calls into question who took the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Napalm Girl” photograph. Retired AP photographer Nick Ut and the AP, which conducted a six-month investigation into the allegation, are contesting it vigorously and lawyers have asked for it to be pulled from the program.

“The film is an investigation,” said Eugene Hernandez, the director of the festival, who is moving forward with plans to screen it. “I think it will be a really important conversation that will come out over the next few days after the film is seen by more people.”

Don’t worry, it’s not all heavy. There’s drama of course, even a film about starting over after a fire (“Rebuilding,” with Josh O’Connor), horror, satire, literary adaptations, comedy, documentaries about famous faces, and some that simply defy categorization.

“There’s some really funny stuff in the program,” Hernandez said. One of those Hernandez cited is “Bubble & Squeak,” about a married couple accused of smuggling cabbages into a nation where they’re banned.

For first time filmmakers, Sundance can be their chance to break through in a big way. That happened last year for “Dìdi” filmmaker Sean Wang. Some films that debuted last January are still in the awards conversation, like “A Real Pain” and “A Different Man.” For actors, the festival is both a casual respite to awards season glitz (snow boots are more likely on red carpets than high heels) and can be a chance to show audiences a new dimension of their talent.

“It’s a strong year of renewal for our artist community,” Hernandez said. “And we have a lot of really great voices and stories that we get to unveil in the coming days.”

Here’s everything you need to know:

Sundance runs from Jan. 23 through Feb. 2. There are about 90 features premiering across the 11 days, with screenings starting early in the morning through midnight. Award-winners will be announced on Jan. 31.

Stars with films premiering include Jennifer Lopez, Benedict Cumberbatch, Diego Luna, Conan O’Brien, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Ayo Edebiri, Olivia Colman, André Holland, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, Bowen Yang, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Lily Gladstone, Dev Patel, Emily Watson, John Lithgow, Marlee Matlin, John Malkovich, Rose Byrne, Chloë Sevigny, Josh O’Connor, Ben Whishaw, Dylan O’Brien, Lili Reinhart and Willem Dafoe.

One of the greatest things about Sundance is that it’s often the under-the-radar movies that become the breakouts.

But some of the higher-profile premieres going into the festival include: Bill Condon’s “Kiss of the Spider-Woman,” starring Lopez; Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s documentary “SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)”; “Opus,” a horror about the cult of celebrity with Edebiri and John Malkovich; Andrew Ahn’s “The Wedding Banquet,” with Bowen Yang and Kelly Marie Tran; the war satire “Atropia,” with Alia Shawkat; “Pee-wee as Himself,” about the late Paul Reubens; “Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore”; and Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman’s doc “The Alabama Solution,” about a cover-up in one of America’s most notorious prison systems.

Festival organizers have been in dialogue with filmmakers, staff, audiences and donors about the effects of the fires, supporting and accommodating where possible including pushing back deadlines to allow filmmakers more time to finish. The festival will also have a QR code displayed before screenings for information on sharing resources or contributing to relief efforts.

“As hard as the last week has been, this will be a moment to come together,” Hernandez said. “The community’s really responding to support those who need it most right now. I think that’s going to be a profound aspect of this year’s festival.”

For the most part, yes. Starting in 2027 the festival will no longer be primarily based in Park City. It may stay in Utah but would operate mainly out of Salt Lake City. Other finalists are Boulder, Colorado, and Cincinnati, Ohio. The Sundance Institute is expected to announce its final decision in the first quarter of 2025.

“Park City as the home of Sundance is such a special place,” Hernandez said. “I look at it optimistically because we have two more exciting years in this current configuration. I think we’re going to make the most of those two years and make them as memorable and meaningful as we can.”

Access to the movies premiering at Sundance doesn’t necessary require an expensive trip to Park City anymore. The festival has fully embraced an online component for many of their films.

What started as a necessary COVID-19 adjustment has become a vital part of the program. From Jan. 30 through Feb. 2, audiences can stream much of the program online. Prices start at $35 for a single film ticket and go up to $800 for unlimited access.

Otherwise, films that secure distribution can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year to hit theaters or streaming services. Steven Soderbergh's “Presence,” which premiered last January, is just hitting theaters this week.

For more coverage of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival visit: https://apnews.com/hub/sundance-film-festival

The marquee of the Egyptian Theatre is shown Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

The marquee of the Egyptian Theatre is shown Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Park City, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

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