We wrote about the first betting odds for the water polo tournament at the Olympic Games three months ago.
In April, the online gambling company Bet365 assessed that Hungary men and the USA women were the favorites for the gold medals.
Today, a few days before the start of the Games, Hungary and the USA are still atop the lists projected by the bookmakers. Still, the odds have been changed since April.
In April, the bookmakers offered odds of 3.00 for Hungary to win the title. According to Bet365’s predictions, Hungary has slightly less chance than it had in April (odds are 3.50). Three months ago, Serbia, Italy, and Spain shared places 2nd – 4th in the favorites list. Today, Serbia is in 2nd place, very close to Hungary (odds 3.75), while Italy, Spain, and Croatia share places 3rd – 5th. Montenegro won the World League in June, and consequently, the Montenegrins are given bigger chances to take the Olympic title (odds 9.00 comparing to 12.00 in April).
The USA men finished 2nd in the World League, which affected raising their chances, but the Americans are still far from the top.
USA women, who won the World League in May, are the overwhelming favorites of the female tournament, with lower odds than in April (1.20), while Spain, the Netherlands, and Hungary share places 2nd – 4th (odds 10.00).
Men’s tournament odds (to win the gold medal), July 21
Hungary 3.50 (odds in April 3.00)
Serbia 3.75 (odds in April 4.50)
Italy 5.00 (odds in April 4.50)
Spain 5.00 (odds in April 4.50)
Croatia 5.00 (odds in April 5.00)
Montenegro 9.00 (odds in April 12.00)
Greece 28.00 (odds in April 28.00)
USA 101.00 (odds in April 201.00)
Australia 501.00 (odds in April 501.00)
Japan 1001.00 (odds in April 1001.00)
South Africa 2001.00 (odds in April 2001.00)
Kazakhstan 2001.00 (odds in April 2001.00)
Women’s tournament odds (to win the gold medal), July 21
USA 1.20 (odds in April 1.61)
Spain 10.00 (odds in April 5.50)
Netherlands 10.00 (odds in April 8.00)
Hungary 10.00 (odds in April 9.00)
Australia 13.00 (odds in April 8.00)
ROC (Russia) 14.00 (odds in April 9.00)
Canada 81.00 (odds in April 501.00)
China 1001.00 (odds in April 501.00)
Japan 1001.00 (odds in April 1001.00)
South Africa 2001.00 (odds in April 2001.00)
Men’s tournament (July 24 – August 8)
Group A: South Africa, United States, Hungary, Greece, Japan, Italy
Group B:Australia, Croatia, Serbia, Spain, Kazakhstan, Montenegro
Women’s tournament (July 23 – August 7)
Group A: Australia, South Africa, Netherlands, Spain, Canada
Group B: ROC(Russia), Japan, Hungary, United States, China
