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Weinberg helps the US beat Australia 11-10 in the men's water polo quarters at the Paris Olympics

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Weinberg helps the US beat Australia 11-10 in the men's water polo quarters at the Paris Olympics
Sport

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Weinberg helps the US beat Australia 11-10 in the men's water polo quarters at the Paris Olympics

2024-08-08 06:43 Last Updated At:06:51

NANTERRE, France (AP) — Adrian Weinberg made two blocks in a penalty shootout to help the United States beat Australia 11-10 on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the men's water polo tournament at the Paris Olympics.

Hannes Daube and Alex Bowen each scored two goals in regulation as the U.S. reached the semifinals at the Olympics for the first time since 2008. Daube and Bowen also converted their penalty shots in the tiebreaker.

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Italy's Tommaso Gianazza reacts during a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy's Tommaso Gianazza reacts during a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Hungary's Soma Vogel celebrates with his teammates at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Hungary's Soma Vogel celebrates with his teammates at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy's Andrea Fondelli reacts at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy's Andrea Fondelli reacts at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy's Marco Del Lungo argues with Hungary players as they celebrate at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy's Marco Del Lungo argues with Hungary players as they celebrate at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY - Italy's Nicholas Presciutti gestures to Hungary players after Hungary won on a penalty shoot out at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY - Italy's Nicholas Presciutti gestures to Hungary players after Hungary won on a penalty shoot out at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Croatia's Maro Jokovic celebrate at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Croatia and Spain, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Croatia's Maro Jokovic celebrate at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Croatia and Spain, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Hungary's Marton Vamos celebrates at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Hungary's Marton Vamos celebrates at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Serbia's Nikola Jaksic celebrates after scoring during a men's quarterfinal match between Greece and Serbia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Serbia's Nikola Jaksic celebrates after scoring during a men's quarterfinal match between Greece and Serbia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Hannes Daube scores a goal during a men's quarterfinal match between USA and Australia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Hannes Daube scores a goal during a men's quarterfinal match between USA and Australia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Adrian Weinberg celebrates after saving a penalty during a men's quarterfinal match between USA and Australia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Adrian Weinberg celebrates after saving a penalty during a men's quarterfinal match between USA and Australia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

“It was exhausting," U.S. attacker Marko Vavic said. “Both of us fighting for our country, each trying to get to the semifinal. It’s what we’ve been dreaming about since we were kids. Everyone put it down on the line.”

It was the third straight win for the U.S., which will play Serbia on Friday at Paris La Defense Arena. Serbia is trying to become the third men’s team to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals.

Croatia will face Hungary in the other semifinal. Croatia beat Spain 10-8 in the first quarterfinal of the day, and Hungary edged Italy 12-10 in another game that went to a penalty shootout.

Serbia advanced when captain Nikola Jaksic skipped home a perfect shot from deep with 3 seconds left, lifting his country to a 12-11 victory over Greece.

“We finally looked like the team that came here to win it," Jaksic said. “We didn’t give up from the first to the last moment.”

Angelos Vlachopoulos had just tied the game for Greece with 6 seconds remaining.

“In this moment, I really hope this is a dream right now, just a nightmare and I will wake up and play again," Greece's Dimitrios Skoumpakis said. "Every guy on this team really tried a lot. We worked very hard, but this is the sport.”

The U.S. rallied after a tough sequence in the first quarter. Max Irving had a goal waved off when the game was stopped for a video review and U.S. attacker Johnny Hooper received a brutality foul, taking him out for the rest of the contest.

Luke Pavillard converted a penalty shot to give Australia a 3-1 lead. Australia also got a 4-minute power play that it turned into two more goals and a 5-2 advantage.

But the U.S. went ahead 6-5 when Daube scored with 6:03 left in regulation. After Pavillard scored two straight for Australia, Bowen's man-up goal with 32 seconds remaining tied it at 7.

Irving also connected for the U.S. in the tiebreaker before Vavic closed it out for the U.S., beating Australia goaltender Nic Porter after they played together in college at Southern California.

“I didn’t even look at him until I went up to shoot," Vavic said. "He was trying to eye me down and talk to me about the pressure before I got there.

“He was chirping me, but I just tried to keep my composure and luckily I stuck it."

Pavillard scored four times for Australia in regulation on four shots. He also converted his penalty shot in the tiebreaker.

“Full credit to the U.S.,” Porter said. “They really pulled it out of the fire there. It was our game to win, and they snatched it from us for sure.”

Krisztian Manhercz scored five times for Hungary in its quarterfinal win, and Gergo Zalanki had three goals. Manhercz and Zalanki also made their penalty shots in the tiebreaker.

Francesco di Fulvio and Gonzalo Echenique each scored three goals in the loss. When it was over, Italy’s Nicholas Presciutti directed a middle finger toward Hungary's players.

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

Italy's Tommaso Gianazza reacts during a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy's Tommaso Gianazza reacts during a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Hungary's Soma Vogel celebrates with his teammates at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Hungary's Soma Vogel celebrates with his teammates at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy's Andrea Fondelli reacts at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy's Andrea Fondelli reacts at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy's Marco Del Lungo argues with Hungary players as they celebrate at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italy's Marco Del Lungo argues with Hungary players as they celebrate at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY - Italy's Nicholas Presciutti gestures to Hungary players after Hungary won on a penalty shoot out at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

EDS NOTE: OBSCENITY - Italy's Nicholas Presciutti gestures to Hungary players after Hungary won on a penalty shoot out at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Croatia's Maro Jokovic celebrate at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Croatia and Spain, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Croatia's Maro Jokovic celebrate at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Croatia and Spain, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Hungary's Marton Vamos celebrates at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Hungary's Marton Vamos celebrates at the end of a men's quarterfinal match between Italy and Hungary, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Serbia's Nikola Jaksic celebrates after scoring during a men's quarterfinal match between Greece and Serbia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Serbia's Nikola Jaksic celebrates after scoring during a men's quarterfinal match between Greece and Serbia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Hannes Daube scores a goal during a men's quarterfinal match between USA and Australia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Hannes Daube scores a goal during a men's quarterfinal match between USA and Australia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Adrian Weinberg celebrates after saving a penalty during a men's quarterfinal match between USA and Australia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Adrian Weinberg celebrates after saving a penalty during a men's quarterfinal match between USA and Australia, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

LONDON (AP) — A British teen pleaded guilty Monday to murdering three girls and attempting to kill 10 other people in what a prosecutor said was a “meticulously planned” stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.

Axel Rudakubana, 18, entered the surprise plea as jury selection had been expected to begin at the start of his trial in Liverpool Crown Court.

The July 29 stabbings sent shock waves across the U.K. and led to a week of widespread rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland after the suspect was falsely identified as an asylum-seeker who had recently arrived in Britain by boat. He was born in Wales.

The attack occurred on the first day of summer vacation when the little girls at the Hart Space, a sanctuary hidden behind a row of houses, were in a class to learn yoga and dance to the songs of Taylor Swift. What was supposed to be a day of joy turned to terror and heartbreak when Rudakubana, armed with a knife, intruded and began stabbing the girls and their teacher in the seaside town of Southport in northwest England.

“This was an unspeakable attack — one which left an enduring mark on our community and the nation for its savagery and senselessness," Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor Ursula Doyle said. “A day which should have been one of carefree innocence; of children enjoying a dance workshop and making friendship bracelets, became a scene of the darkest horror as Axel Rudakubana carried out his meticulously planned rampage.”

Prosecutors haven’t said what they believe led Rudakubana — who was days shy of his 18th birthday — to commit the atrocities, but Doyle said that it was clear he had a “a sickening and sustained interest in death and violence.”

Rudakubana had consistently refused to speak in court and did so once again when asked to identify himself at the start of the proceedings. But he broke his silence when he was read the 16-count indictment and asked to enter a plea, replying “guilty” to each charge.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and additional charges related to possessing the poison ricin and for having an al-Qaida manual.

Rudakubana faces life imprisonment when sentenced Thursday, Justice Julian Goose said.

Defense lawyer Stanley Reiz said that he would present information to the judge about Rudakubana's mental health that may be relevant to his sentence.

The surviving victims and family members of those killed were absent in court, because they had expected to arrive Tuesday for opening statements.

Goose asked the prosecutor to apologize on his behalf that they weren't present to hear Rudakubana plead guilty.

He pleaded guilty to murdering Alice Da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6.

Eight other girls, ranging in age from 7 to 13, were wounded, along with instructor Leanne Lucas and John Hayes, who worked in a business next door and intervened. Fifteen other girls, as young as 5, were at the class but uninjured. Under a court order, none of the surviving girls can be named.

Hayes, who was stabbed and seriously wounded, said he still had flashbacks to the attack and was “hugely upset at the time that I wasn’t able to do more.”

“But I did what I could in the circumstances,” he told Sky News. “I’m grateful to be here, and by all accounts I’ll make a full recovery, at least physically. … I’m going to be OK and others won’t be, and that’s really where I I think the focus of attention should be.”

Police said the stabbings weren’t classified as acts of terrorism because the motive wasn’t known.

Several months after his arrest at the scene of the crime, Rudakubana was charged with additional counts for production of a biological toxin, ricin and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism for having the manual in a document on his computer.

Police said they found the evidence during a search of his family's home in a neighboring village.

The day after the killings — and shortly after a peaceful vigil for the victims — a violent group attacked a mosque near the crime scene and pelted police officers with bricks and bottles and set fire to police vehicles.

Rioting then spread to dozens of other towns over the next week when groups made up mostly of men mobilized by far-right activists on social media clashed with police during violent protests and attacked hotels housing migrants.

More than 1,200 people were arrested for the disorder and hundreds have been jailed for up to nine years in prison.

In this Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook, Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana appears on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where he has pleaded guilty to killing three young girls and wounded 10 other people in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP)

In this Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook, Southport stabbings suspect Axel Rudakubana appears on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where he has pleaded guilty to killing three young girls and wounded 10 other people in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Elizabeth Cook/PA via AP)

People queue at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Axel Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

People queue at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Axel Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

A prison van believed to contain Axel Rudakubana arrives at Liverpool Crown Court in Liverpool, England, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025 where Rudakubana is charged with killing three girls and wounding 10 other people in a stabbing rampage at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in England last summer.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

FILE - Police officers watch members of the public outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)

FILE - Police officers watch members of the public outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)

FILE - Tributes are seen outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)

FILE - Tributes are seen outside the Town Hall in Southport, England, Aug. 5, 2024 after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club the week before. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, File)

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