Brazil won two gold medals at the water polo tournament at the 12th South American Games, held in Asuncion (Paraguay).
The Brazilians beat Argentina in both finals. The female team of Brazil recorded a convincing 14:8 victory, while the men’s final offered a lot of excitement. Brazil defeated Argentina after a penalty shootout (13:12).
2022 South American Games, men’s water polo tournament
The tournament in Asuncion was the third men’s water polo competition at the South American Games. Water polo debuted in 2010. The tournament wasn’t held in 2014 but was back on the competition program at the previous SA Games in 2018. Argentina won gold medals in 2010 and 2018, beating Colombia in the final both times. Brazil’s biggest success before the 12th Games was bronze in 2010.
Group stage
All six participating teams in the group stage played in one group. Brazil and Argentina recorded four convincing wins each, while the derby between these two teams was scheduled for round 3. Argentina beat its biggest rival 10:8 and secured 1st place. There were a lot of goals in almost all matches, but one encounter produced a “football” result. Chile defeated Uruguay 3:2.
Round 1: Uruguay – Paraguay 32:2, Brazil – Chile 15:0, Colombia – Argentina 6:11
Round 2: Colombia – Chile 6:11, Uruguay – Brazil 2:25, Argentina – Paraguay 25:0
Round 3: Chile – Uruguay 3:2, Paraguay – Colombia 0:31, Argentina – Brazil 10:8
Round 4: Argentina – Uruguay 21:1, Brazil – Colombia 16:7, Chile – Paraguay 27:1.
Round 5: Argentina – Chile 20:3, Colombia – Uruguay 10:6, Brazil – Paraguay 12:2.
Standings: 1.Argentina 10, 2. Brazil 8, 3. Colombia 6, 4. Chile 4, 5. Uruguay 2, 6.Paraguay 0.
Knockout stage
The top four teams from the group advanced to the semifinals. Neither Argentina nor Brazil had problems in the semis. Argentina trashed Chile (20:2), while Brazil beat Colombia (17:6)
Argentina, encouraged by a win over Brazil in the group stage, started very well in the final and took a 2:0 lead. But Brazil, led by Gustavo Guimaraes, took control and built a 9:6 lead late into the third quarter. Guimaraes, who has played in several clubs in Europe, scored even seven goals in the final. Still, Argentina leveled at 9:9. Guimaraes responded with his 7th goal to give the Brazilians a 10:9 lead. In the last minute, Argentina’s Bonomo equalized, and the match entered a shootout. Brazil was more successful in the penalty drama and celebrated a 13:12 victory.
Gustavo Guimaraes (BRA) Photo:Satiro Sodre/CBDA-Facebook
Colombia won bronze with a convincing 18:6 victory over Chile.
Fifth place match: Uruguay – Paraguay 15:2 (3:1, 5:1, 2:0, 5:0)
Semifinals
Argentina – Chile 20:2 (5:1, 5:0, 4:0, 5:1)
Brazil – Colombia 17:6 (5:3, 2:0, 4:1, 6:2)
Bronze medal match
Chile – Colombia 6:18 (3:3, 1:5, 0:4, 2:6)
Chile: Sarimento 2, Castro 2, Diaz 1, Vera 1.
Colombia: Saldarriaga 5, Echeverry 4, Munoz 3, Cuervo 3, Salinas 2, Ranfigo 1.
FINAL
Argentina – Brazil 12:13 (3:3, 2:3, 2:3, 3:1, PSO 2:3)
Argentina (scorers in regular time): Camnasio 4, Galimberti 3, Corsi 1, Bonomo 1, Martino 1
Brazil (scorers in regular time): Guimaraes 7, Coutinho 1, Freitas 1, Pedroso 1.
2022 South American Games, women’s water polo tournament
Before the SAG in Asuncion, only one female water polo tournament at the South American Games was held. It happened in 2010, when Brazil won gold ahead of Venezuela (silver) and Argentina (bronze)
Group stage
Seven teams were split into two groups in the first stage of the competition. There were no surprises. Brazil and Argentina finished atop their groups.
GROUP A
Round 1: Brazil – Chile 28:2
Round 2: Brazil – Peru 19:2
Round 3: Peru – Chile 10:6
Standings: 1. Brazil 4, 2. Peru 2, 3. Chile 0.
GROUP B
Round 1: Colombia – Venezuela 10:11, Argentina – Paraguay 44:5
Round 2: Colombia – Paraguay 42:6, Argentina – Venezuela 13:6
Round 3: Colombia – Argentina 10:16, Paraguay – Venezuela 10:30
Standings: 1. Argentina 6, 2. Venezuela 4, 3. Colombia 2, 4.Paraguay 0.
Knockout stage
Brazil demolished Venezuela in the semifinals (16:3). Argentina scored 16 goals in the semis, as well as Brazil, but conceded much more. However, the Argentinians’ win wasn’t in question. They defeated Peru 16:12.
Brazil earned a solid lead early in the final. After the first quarter, the Brazilians led 5:2. By the end, they extended the margin to eight (14:8).
Peru edged out Venezuela in the third-place match that ended in a penalty shootout (18:17).
Fifth-place match: Colombia – Chile 21:6 (7:0, 5:2, 4:1, 5:3)
Semifinals
Brazil – Venezuela 16:3 (5:0, 5:2, 4:1, 2:0)
Argentina – Peru 16:12 (4:3, 4:1, 5:4, 3:4)
Bronze medal match
Venezuela – Peru 17:18 (4:2, 2:2, 5:7, 3:3, PSO 3:4)
Venezuela (scorers in regular time): Carangudo 4, Escolana 4, Hernandez 2, Torres 2, Agelvis 1, Olza 1.
Peru (scorers in regular time): A.Lopez Deza 5, E.Lopez Deza 3. C.L.Rodriguez 3, R.S.Rodriguez 1, Nientos 1, Garnica 1.
FINAL
Brazil – Argentina 14:8 (5:2, 3:2, 3:2, 3:2)
Brazil: Belorio 4, Dias 2, Coutinho 2, Abla 2, Leao 2, Marrani 1, Ferreira 1.
Argentina: Agnesina 2, Bacigalupo 2, Comba 2, Ruiz Castellani 1, Riley 1.
