The draw for the Olympic Games Qualification tournaments, that will be played in Trieste (women) and Rotterdam (men), was held in the FINA’s headquarters in Lausanne today.
Men’s qualifications (Rotterdam, March 22nd – 29th)
Twelve teams will compete at the men’s qualification tournament in Rotterdam (March 22nd – 29th). The draw split them into two groups of six teams. After the group stage, the top four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals (1A – 4B, 1B – 4A, 2A- 3B, 2B – 3A).
The best three teams from the tournament in Rotterdam (finalists and the bronze-medal winner) will qualify for the Olympic Games. The favorites are three European teams: Montenegro, Croatia and Greece.
Group A
Greece
Montenegro
Brazil
Canada
Georgia
Asia 1*
Group B
Croatia
Germany
Russia
Argentina
Netherlands
Asia 2*
Women’s qualifications (Trieste, March 8th – 15th)
In the women’s qualifications, ten teams will take part. The competition formula is the same as at the men’s tournament. After the group stage, the top four teams will continue the competition in the quarterfinals.
But, only the best two teams (finalists) will earn Olympic berths. Host Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary and Greece are the serious contenders for the two Olympic tickets.
Group A
Italy
Netherlands
France
Asia 2*
Slovakia
Group B
Hungary
Greece
New Zealand
Israel
Asia 1*
(The pots for the draw were determined according to the ranking at the 2019 World Championships)
*FINA still hasn’t announced what would happen with the Asian qualification. The Asian Championships should be the continental qualification tournament, and Kazakhstan was determined as the host. But, Kazakhstan canceled the competition, which was scheduled for this week (February, 12th – 16th), to prevent a coronavirus spread.
The Asian champion (both men and women) will qualify for the Olympic Games, while the 2nd-placed and the 3rd-placed team have the right to participate in the World qualifications. This rule applies both for men’s and for women’s tournaments.
According to unofficial information, the ranking at the water polo tournament at the Asian Games will be used to determine the Asian qualifications.
Rankings at the previous Asian Games (Indonesia 2018)
Men:1.Kazakhstan, 2.Japan, 3.Iran, 4. China.
Women: 1. China, 2. Kazakhstan, 3. Japan, 4. Thailand.
If FINA and IOC confirm the information about the Asian Games, Kazakhstan and China will qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. According to the FINA’s rules, the highest placed team in each of the five Continental Championships will each obtain a quota place. Men’s team of Iran and China and female squads of Kazakhstan and Thailand will be invited to play at the World qualification tournaments. (Japan is already qualified as a host)
Teams qualified for the Olympic Games and available berths
Men
Qualified teams
Serbia– World League winner
Italy – World champion
Spain – silver medal at the World Championships
USA – gold medal at the Pan American Games
Australia – Oceanian Continental Selection
Hungary – European champion
South Africa – the representative of Africa
Japan – host
Available berths
Champion of Asia
Top three teams from the qualification tournament in Rotterdam (March 22nd – 29th)
Women
Qualified teams
USA – World League winner
Spain – silver medalist at the World Championships
Russia – silver medalist at the European Championships
Canada – silver medalist at the Pan American Games
Australia – Oceanian Continental Selection
South Africa – African Continental Selection
Japan – host
Available berths
Champion of Asia
Top two teams from the qualification tournament in Trieste (March 8th – 15th).
