The last part of our Gwangju 2019 preview is the article about the women’s water polo tournament which will start tomorrow.
The European teams have been dominating in men’s water polo since the 1st championships (Belgrade 1973). All 51 medals were won by the Europeans. A situation in women’s water polo is different.
Female water polo teams competed for the first time in Madrid 1986. From 1986 to 2017 seven gold medals were taken by European teams and six by non-Europeans.
Australia was the first world champion for women. The USA team holds the record, with 5 titles.
The USA team will be the biggest favorite in Gwangju, too. But several squads are able to reach the podium. The reigning champions will have hard exams in their effort to retain the title.
GROUP A
United States
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: gold.
2018 World League: gold.
2018 World Cup: gold.
2019 World League: gold.
Roster
Goalkeepers: Amanda Longan (USC/Santa Barbara 805), Ashleigh Johnson (Princeton/NYAC). Field players: Maddie Musselman (UCLA/CdM Aquatics), Melissa Seidemann (Stanford/NYAC), Rachel Fattal (Seal Beach, CA/UCLA/SOCAL), Paige Hauschild (USC/Santa Barbara 805), Maggie Steffens (Stanford/NYAC), Stephania Haralabidis (USC/NYAC), Kiley Neushul (Stanford/NYAC), Aria Fischer (Stanford/SET), Kaleigh Gilchrist (USC/NYAC), Makenzie Fischer (Stanford/SET), Alys Williams (UCLA/Huntington Beach WPF). Head coach: Adam Krikorian.
Netherlands
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 9th place.
2018 World League: silver.
2018 World Cup: –
2019 World League: 4th place.
Roster
Goalkeepers: Joanne Koenders (Polar Bears), Sarah Buis (UZSC). Field players: Sabrina van der Sloot, Ilse Koolhaas (both Orizzonte Catania), Nomi Stomphorst (Widex GZC Donk), Vivian Sevenich, Dagmar Genee (both UZSC), Simone van de Kraats , Iris Wolves (both Polar Bears), Maartje Keuning (CN Sant Andreu), Rozanne Voorvelt (ZVL-1886), Maud Megens (USC, Verenigde Staten), Bente Rogge (ASU, Verenigde Staten). Head coach: Arno Havenga
New Zealand
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 12th place.
2018 World League: eliminated in Preliminary Stage.
2018 World Cup: 7th place.
2019 World League: eliminated in Preliminary Stage.
Roster
Goalkeepers: Jessica Milicich, Bridget Layburn. Field players: Emily Nicholson, Bernadette Doyle, Shinae Carrington, Elizabeth Alsemgeest, Morgan McDowall, Emmerson Houghton, Katie McKenty, Grace Tobin, Kaitlin Howarth, Amanda Lemon, Kate Enoka. Head coach: Angie Winstanley-Smith
South Africa
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 16th place.
2018 World League: didn’t participate.
2018 World Cup: 8th place.
2019 World League: eliminated in Preliminary Stage.
Roster
Goalkeepers: Lauren Nixon, Zanne Smit. Field players: Yanah Gerber, Nthatisi Mora, Emma Joubert, Georgia Moir, Amica Hallendorff, Lucy Miszewski, Kate Hinrichs, Jordan Wedderburn, Nicola Macleod, Chloe Meecham, Christine Abrahamse. Head coach: Pierre Le Roux.
Group A will, probably, offer just one exciting match. An encounter between the biggest favorite for the gold, The USA team and The Netherlands, the best European team at this moment, should be a big derby. New Zealand and South Africa are far away from the Americans and the Dutch.
The USA women team is the only one which has won a medal at each Olympic tournament since female water polo was included in the Olympic family, in Sidney 2000. After two silver and a bronze medal, the Americans reached the Olympic title for the first time in London in 2012. The next year wasn’t so successful for them (3rd place in the World League and 6th at the World Championships). The American’s domination started a season later.
Since 2014, the USA team has won gold medals in all world’s competition (one at Olympic Games, 2 at the World Championships, 6 in the World League and 2 at the World Cup). The Americans are aiming the 12th title in major international competitions in a row!
This season, the USA ladies, who are coached by Adam Krikorian, clinched their 13th gold in the World League and booked the ticket for the 2020 Olympic Games.
The team, which is led by Maggie Steffens, Makenzie Fisher, Kiley Neushel, goalkeeper Ashley Johnson and other excellent players, wants a new gold.
The Dutch come to Gwangju as European Champions and the winner of the 2019 Europa Cup.
The Netherlands and the USA have already met this summer. The Americans defeated the Netherlands in the close semifinal match at the World League Super Final (8:6). The Dutch believe in themselves and they would like to take revenge for the defeat in WL. Their goal is winning the medal
Find out what Sabina Van der Sloot said in the interview for our website:
Sabrina Van der Sloot: “Every team has its weak spot”
GROUP B
Hungary
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 5th place
2018 World League: eliminated in Preliminary Stage
2018 World Cup: –
2019 World League: 6th place
Roster
Goalkeepers: Edina Gangl (UVSE), Alda Magyari (Honved/POLO SC). Field players: Dora Csabai (FTC), Greta Gurisatti (Dunajvaros), Aniko Gyongyossy (BVSC), Brigitta Horvath (Dunajvaros), Anna Illes (BVSC), Rita Keszthelyi (UVSE), Dora Leimeter (BVSC), Natasa Rybanska (UVSE), Rebecca Parkes (UVSE), Dorottya Szilagyi (Eger), Vanda Valyi (Dunaújvaros). Head coach: Atilla Biro.
Russia
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: bronze
2018 World League: bronze
2018 World Cup: silver
2019 World League: bronze
Roster
Goalkeepers: Anna Karnaukh (KINEF), Evgeniya Golovina (Dynamo Uralochka). Field players: Anna Timofeeva (UGRA), Alena Serzhantova (Dynamo – SKIF), Anastasia Simanovich (KINEF), Ekaterina Prokofyeva, Darya Ryzhkova, Evgeniya Ivanova, Evgenya Sobolyeva (all KINEF), Olga Gorbunova, Tatyana Tolkunova (both Spartak Volgograd), Marya Bersneva, Elvina Karimova ( both Dynamo Uralochka). Head coach: Aleksandr Gaidukov.
Canada
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 4th place
2018 World League: 4th place
2018 World Cup: 6th place
2019 World League: 7th place
Roster
Goalkeepers: Claire Wright, Jessica Gaudreault. Field players: Krystina Alogbo, Joelie Bekhazi, Axelle Crevier, Kyra Christmas, Monika Eggens, Shae Fournier, Elyse Lemay-Lavoie, Kelly McKee, Hayley McKelvey, Kindred Paul, Emma Wright. Head coach: David Paradelo.
South Korea
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
South Korea didn’t play at the major competitions in the past few years
Roster
Goalkeepers: Heeji Oh, Minju Kim. Field players: Chanyoung Lim, Jungeun Lee, Gaeun Lee, Yeseo Song, Daseul Kyung, Hanna Yoon Ryan, Jimin Choi, Yearin Yun, Ye Jin Kim, Nayong Kwon, Yelim Cho. Head coach: Man Keun Jin.
Group B is pretty balanced. The only underdog is South Korea, which even didn’t have a women’s national water polo team until May! Two months ago, the Korean federation gathered former swimmers to compose the squad for the World Championships.
Russia, with Ekaterina Prokofyeva (the Female Total Player Award winner for 2018) is a step closer to the 1st place than Hungary and Canada. But, Canada and Hungary also have high ambitions.
These three teams faced each other in the Group Stage at the World League Super Final in Budapest. Russia defeated Canada after penalty shootout (19:17), Hungary posted a close win against Canada (16:14), while the Russians convincingly beat Hungary (14:9). Two years ago, at the World Championships, Hungary was defeated by Canada in the quarterfinals. In the bronze-medal game, Russia was better than the Canadians.
It’s interesting that Russia has never played in the World Championships final game, but it has won 5 bronze medals. Greece clinched one gold, Canada two silver, and two bronze medals.
Rita Keszthely (Hungary) believes that fans will enjoy watching the encounters between these three squads:
Rita Keszthelyi: “I believe that everyone is beatable”
GROUP C
Greece
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 7th place
2018 World League: didn’t participate.
2018 World Cup: didn’t qualify
2019 World League: eliminated in Preliminary Stage.
Roster
Goalkeepers: Ioanna Stamatopoulou, Marina Kotsioni. Field players: Christina Tsoukala, Ioanna Chydirioti, Nikol Eleftheriadou, Christina Kotsia, Aikisti Avramidou, Alexandra Asimaki, Maria Patra, Alkisti Benekou, Eirini Ninou, Eleftheria Plevritou, Eleni Xenaki. Head coach: Georgios Morfesis.
Spain
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: silver
2018 World League: 5th place
2018 World Cup: 4th place
2019 World League: eliminated in Preliminary Stage.
Roster
Goalkeepers: Laura Ester (Astrapool CN Sabadell), María Elena Sanchez (CN Sant Andreu). Field players: Paula Leiton, Maica García, Anna Espar, Judith Forca, Bea Ortiz ( all Astralpool CN Sabadell), Paula Crespi, Maria Pena (both CN Sant Andreu), Marta Bach (both La Sirena CN Mataró), Clara Espar, Roser Tarrago ( both CE Mediterrani), Irene Gonzalez (Hawai-USA). Head coach: Miguel Angel Oca Gaia.
Kazakhstan
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 15th place
2018 World League: eliminated in Preliminary Stage.
2018 World Cup: didn’t qualify
2019 World League: eliminated in Preliminary Stage.
Roster
Goalkeepers: Alexandra Zharkimbayeva, Azhar Alibayeva. Field players: Tomiris Kenebayeva, Aizhan Akilbayeva, Anna Turova, Kamila Zakirova, Darya Roga, Anna Novikova, Darya Muravyeva, Anastassiya Yeremina, Zamira Myrzabekova, Anastassiya Mirshina, Viktoriya Khritankova. Head coach: Marat Naurazbekov.
Cuba
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: didn’t qualify
2018 World League: didn’t participate.
2018 World Cup: didn’t qualify
2019 World League: didn’t participate.
Roster
Goalkeepers: Mairelis Zunzengui Morgan, Arisney Ramos Betancourt. Field players: Dalia Grau Quintero, Madonni Chavez Pena, Thaimi Gonzalez Tamayo, Daniuska Carrasco Leyva, Mayelin Bernal Villa, Jennifer Plasencia Suarez, Arisel Gonzalez Sanchez, Cecilia Diaz Mesa, Dianela Fria Tellez, Lisbeth Santana Sosa, Aliannis Ramirez White. Head coach: Jorge del Valle Gutierrez.
Two former World champions Greece (gold in 2011) and Spain (gold in 2013) are contenders not just for the 1st place in Group C, but for medals too.
Greece and Spain have experienced players, that play in strong clubs. Greece is led by Alexandra Asimaki (who led Greece towards the gold in 2011), Alkalis Avramidis… Spanish stars are Laura Ester, Bea Ortiz. Spain and Greece shouldn’t have problems in the games against Cuba and Kazakhstan.
Greece and Spain met once in this season, in the consoling match for the 5th place in the Europa Cup (Spain won 17:14). Both teams didn’t manage to reach the World League Super Final, and both want to end the season with a medal and with the ticket for the 2020 Olympic Games.
Bea Ortiz, the top scorer of the 2018 European Championships, believes that Spain can be a surprising team in Gwangju:
Bea Ortiz: “We have a lot to show at this World Championship”
GROUP D
Italy
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 6th place
2018 World League: didn’t participate.
2018 World Cup: –
2019 World League: silver
Roster
Goalkeepers: Giulia Gorlero (Fiamme Oro / L’Ekipe Orizzonte), Federica Eugenia Lavi (Rapallo Pallanuoto), Field players: Elisa Queirolo (Plebiscito Padova), Rosaria Aiello, Arianna Garibotti, Roberta Bianconi (all Fiamme Oro / L’Ekipe Orizzonte), Valeria Palmieri (L’Ekipe Orizzonte), Giulia Enrica Emmolo (Fiamme Oro / Rapallo Pallanuoto), Silvia Avegno, Giulia Viacava (both Rapallo Pallanuoto), Chiara Tabani, Domitilla Picozzi, Izabella Chiappini (all SIS Roma). Head coach: Fabio Conti.
Australia
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 8th place
2018 World League: 7th place
2018 World Cup: bronze
2019 World League: 5th place
Roster
Goalkeepers: Lea Yanitsas (UNSW Wests), Gabriella Palm (Qld Thunder). Field players:Zoe Arancini (Melville), Elle Armit (Drummoyne Devils), Isobel Bishop (Sydney Uni), Hannah Buckling (Sydney Uni), Keesja Gofers (Sydney Uni), Bronte Halligan (UCLA), Bronwen Knox (Qld Thunder), Lena Mihailovic (Ferencvros), Amy Ridge (UNSW Wests), Maddy Steere (Michigan), Rowie Webster (Balmain Tigers). Head coach: Predrag Mihailovic.
China
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 10th place
2018 World League: 6th place
2018 World Cup: 5th place
2019 World League: 8th place
Roster
Goalkeepers: Lin Peng, Wenxin Dong. Field players: Xinyan Wang, Xiaohan Mei, Dunhan Xiong, Guannan Niu, Ning Guo, Huan Wang, Cong Zhang, Zinan Zhao, Danyi Zhang, Xiao Chen, Jing Zhang. Head coach: Dali Gong.
Japan
Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2017 World Championships
2017 World Championships: 13th place
2018 World League: 8th place
2018 World Cup: didn’t qualify.
2019 World League: eliminated in Preliminary Stage.
Roster
Goalkeepers: Rikako Miura,Minami Shioya. Field players: Yumi Arima, Akari Inaba, Shino Magariyama, Chiaki Sakanoue, Miku Koide, Maiko Hashida, Yuki Nizawa, Minori Yamamoto, Misaki Noro, Marina Tokumoto, Kotori Suzuki. Head coach: Makihito Motomiya.
This will be an interesting group. Italy and Australia are favorites, but China won’t be an easy opponent to the two teams which had a lot of success at previous FINA’s competition.
China is the only Asian (male or female) water polo team which has managed to reach the podium at major intercontinental competitions. The Chinese won the 2013 World League. They were runners-up at the 2011 World Championships and took the bronze medal at the 2010 World Cup.
The group play will be opened by a derby Australia – Italy. The “Aussie Stringers” want to take revenge for the loss to Italy at the World League Super Final in June (9:11). China played in the same group as Italy and Australia at that tournament. The Asians lost both matches (8:10 to Australia and 7:10 to Italy).
Japan, the host of the next Olympic Games, might produce a surprise.
Keesja Gofer, one of the Australian stars, has confidence in her team, but she said that “Stringers” wouldn’t have easy tasks in the group:
Keesja Gofers: “I have full confidence in my girls!”
History
-Ten nations have won medals in the history of the World Championships for ladies.
-The most decorated is the USA team with 5 titles (2003, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2017), 1 silver medal (2005), and two bronze medals (1986, 1991).
-Besides the USA, Italy and Hungary have more than one title of champion. The Italians were the best at the Championships in 1998 and 2001 and took one silver (2003) and two bronze medals (1994 and 2005). Hungary won the titles in 1994 and in 2005, one silver (2001) and one bronze (2013).
-Other medal winners:
Netherlands – gold (1991) and four silver medals (1986, 1994, 1998, 2015).
Australia – gold (1986), two silver (2007 and 2013) and a bronze (1998).
Spain – gold (2013) and silver (2017).
Greece – gold (2011).
Canada – 2 silver (1991, 2009) and two bronze medals (2001 and 2005).
China – silver (2011).
Russia – five bronze medals (2003, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2017).
For more information about the Water Polo World Championship in Gwangju 2019 visit our tournament page or follow our social media channels – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
