Basser, Russell

Sport:
water polo

Country Represented:
Australia

Years Competed:
1984

Olympic Info:
Basser was a member of the Australian water polo team at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. In the preliminary round, the Australians were placed in Group C and lost to France, 10-6, but tied Italy, 8-8, (Basser led his team with 3 goals) and defeated Japan, 13-2 (Basser had two goals) to finish tied for second in the group with 3 points (France finished first). Italy also finished with 3 points, but Australia advanced to the final round because they had a better goal differential (+7 to +4).

In the final round, Australia played four of the other five teams that qualified (they did not play France again, but the score of their preliminary meeting was counted in the standings). After leading the Aussies in scoring in the preliminary round, Basser was held to only one goal in the final round as Australia lost to Yugoslavia (9-6), the United States (12-7), tied Spain (10-10 -- Basser scored his lone goal in this game), and defeated Holland (8-7). With only one win and one tie, the Australians finished with three points in the final round, officially in fifth place.

Career Highlights:
Basser is a graduate of the University of Melbourne in Medicine and is currently a doctor. He was a torchbearer in Australia for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Origin:
Australia

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