At the World Aquatics Championships held in Doha, British women narrowly defeated Kazakhstan 8-6 in the 11th-12th place match, securing 11th place.
Brooke Tafazoli's hat-trick in the final quarter turned Great Britain back and ended their first World Championship in over 10 years with their best result.
Great Britain led throughout the first half, but unfortunately found themselves trailing 6-5 going into the final period.
Kazakhstan turned the game around after half-time and took the lead with three goals in the final eight minutes as the Asian Cup runners-up looked set to match their 2022 performance.
However, the British team's spirit never faltered and Tafazoli responded immediately in the fourth, hitting two long-range strikes within the first minute and a half to put Britain back in the lead.
Kazakhstan kept up the pressure in search of an equaliser, but Nick Buller's side defended well as a team, with Sophie Jackson between the sticks denying any chance of an equaliser.
Jackson made 72% of his saves overall, stopping 16 shots, including two on man-up chances in the tense final minutes.
With 30 seconds left in the game, the teams were tied at just one point until Tafazoli's rocket was too powerful for Kazakhstan keeper Mariya Martynenko to hold on and just crossed the line. A nervous VAR check ensued, but a goal was awarded to ease the nerves of the remaining Englishmen.
“It meant a lot.”
Tafazoli, who won the Athlete of the Year award, told World Swimming after the match:We went in expecting to be in the top 12, but next time we'll be 11th.th Really good.
“I was really proud of myself and all the girls to be able to contribute in this game that meant so much.
“Thank you to all my family, friends, coaches and colleagues. Many of us had jobs and had to take time off, but I am grateful for all the support back home.
“Thank you so much to everyone who woke up at 6 a.m. to watch us today.”
Great Britain seemed to be in complete control for most of the match, especially in the first game, when Annie Clapperton converted a penalty just a minute into the game.
She took a left corner kick, but just a minute later she created a good man-up chance, giving Katie Cutler space for a split-second shot.
Martynenko then broke off his line and tried to intercept a pass to Claperton inside, but the British number two was able to flick it over the post. However, she did not give it up, pressuring the keeper and blocking an attempt to clear, giving England an early 3-0 lead.
Two near-post finishes from Katie Brown and the first of four shots from Tafazoli kept the lead at two, giving Great Britain a slim 5-3 advantage at the end of the first half.
Kazakhstan then fought back in the third with two goals from Madina Rakhmanova and one from Anna Novikova, and Tafazoli hit back in the fourth to give Great Britain the victory.
Britain's final ranking is 11thth This is the highest ranking for a British team since the first women's tournament in 1986, when only nine teams took part.
Great Britain are aiming for further progress and improvement in preparation for their return to the European and world stage, having moved up two places from when they last competed in the Championship in 2013.
All matches from the World Water Polo Championship in Doha can be watched on Eurovision Sport or the Eurovision Sport app.
image: world swimming