🛒 Shop the best Water Polo Gear now! →
🤑 10% off on selected briefs & merch 🤑
Support the Total Waterpolo mission!
TW-Brandmark-Whitex2
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results

    National

    • Montenegro
      • Montenegrin League 2024/25
      • Montenegrin Cup 24/25
      • Montenegrin League 23/24
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 24/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 23/24
      • Qualifications
    • Slovenia
      • Slovenian League 24/25
      • Slovenian League 23/24
    • Hong Kong
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Women
      • Hong Kong 24/25 – Men
    • Austria
      • Austrian League 2025 – Men
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Women
      • Austrian League 23/24 – Men
    • Lithuania
      • Lithuanian League ’24
    • Latvia
      • Latvian Championship 2024
    • France
      • French League 23/24 – Men
    • Spain
      • Spanish League 23/24 – Men
    • Hungary
      • Hungarian League 23/24 – Men
    • Italy
      • Italian League 23/24 – Men

    International

    • SINGAPORE 2025
      • Women
      • Men
    • LEN Champions League
      • Men 24/25
      • Men 23/24
    • DSV 98 Cup 2025
    • World Cup 2025
      • Men
    • AWL
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
      • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic League Men 2024/25
      • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
      • Nordic League Women 2024/25
      • Nordic League 2023/24
      • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
    • NCAA
      • Men’s Finals 2024
      • Men’s Finals 2023
    • Oympic Games
      • Tokyo 2020
        • Women
        • Men
      • Paris 2024
        • Olympic Tournament – Men
        • Olympic Tournament – Women
    • World Championships
      • Doha 2024
        • Women
        • Men
      • Fukuoka 2023
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2022
        • Women
        • Men
    • European Championships
      • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
      • Zagreb / Dubrovnik 2024 – Men
      • Split 2022
        • Women
        • Men
      • Budapest 2020

    Amateur & Junior Divisions

    • Summer Cup 2025
    • Nordic League U16 2024/25
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
    • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
    • Masters Cup 2025

    Total Waterpolo Arena livescoring app: Stay in the game with real-time updates and stats for your next tournament.

    Contact Us
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • DSV 98 Cup 2025
      • Summer Cup 2025
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop

    WearWaterpolo™ Webshop

    • Webshop
    • Men’s Briefs
    • Women’s Suits
    • Apparel
    • Game Balls
    • About

    Partner up with Total Waterpolo, the leading international water polo network worldwide and take your team gear to the next level. Our products are made to endure the harshest conditions from pro leagues around the world to your local squad rivalries. We can't wait to join your team!

    Get Total Waterpolo for your Team
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017
CHL 24/25
Support Us

Second world gold for Netherlands – return to top after 32 years

July 28, 2023

Photo: Orange Pictures

The Netherlands won its second-ever world champion title and the first one after 1991.

The Dutch defeated Spain in a thrilling final of the 20th World Championships in Fukuoka. The match ended in a penalty shootout – 17:16 . The Dutch had a 3-goal lead in the final quarter. Spain came back and leveled the score (12:12), but it fell in a penalty shootout.

Italy won the bronze medal, beating Australia in a 30-goal game – 16:14.

The bronze-medal match was the only of today’s clashes that ended after 32 minutes.

The former world champion Team USA defeated Hungary in a penalty shootout (15:13) to finish in 5th place.

The penalty drama decided 7th place. Canada beat Greece 14:12 after each team scored 10 goals in the 32 minutes of play.

Spain’s teenager Elena Ruiz was voted the MVP of the tournament. The best goalkeeper is Laura Aarts (Netherlands) and the best scorer is Judith Forca (Spain), who netted 24 goals.

Elena Ruiz, the MVP of the tournament All photos: Orange Pictures

20th World Water Polo Championship (Fukuoka, July 17 – 29), Women, Day 7

Final

Netherlands – Spain 17:16 (4:3, 2:3, 3:1, 3:5, PSO 5:4)

The tournament ended where it started. The Netherlands beat Spain in the first round of the group stage. The Dutch recorded a 7:6 win two weeks ago. Today, a penalty shootout was needed to determine a winner.

The game produced a lot of twists and turns. The Dutch were closer to a victory in regular time since they had a 3-goal lead at the finish.

Simone van de Kraats

Spain had a better start and took a slim lead at the beginning. Still, the Netherlands was 4:3 up at halftime. But, Spain opened the second quarter with a 3:0 blast. Garcia leveled from an extra player. Elena Ruiz, who was later voted the tournament’s MVP, converted two penalty shots to give the Spaniards a 6:4 lead in the 12th minute.

However, the European champions didn’t keep the momentum. The Netherlands caught up with them with two powerplay goals (Van der Kraast and Joustra) and the teams were on the same starting line before the second half – 6:6.

The third quarter started with a counter-attack goal from Judith Forca and Spain went in front – 7:6, as it turned, for the last time.

Brigitte Sleeking of the Netherlands

Both teams struggled in the attack in the following few minutes. But, midway through this period, the Dutch started ruling the field. Sleeking leveled at 7:7 in the 21st minute. By the 26th minute, the Netherlands added three straight goals. Simone van der Kraast netted a beautiful goal from almost eight meters to make it 10:7 with 06:31 minutes left on the clock. It seemed that there was no way back for the Spaniards.

Still, the European champions got back into the game quickly – with three goals in less than two minutes. Paula Crespi narrowed the gap to one with two action goals, and Ortiz leveled at 10:10 from a 6 on 5 in the middle of the final period.
In the remaining time, the sides traded the goals. Two minutes before the end, Rogge fired the ball from a distance and gave the Dutch a 12:11 lead. Her team kept that minimal advantage almost until the end. Still, 35 seconds before the buzzer, the Spaniards earned a woman-up. Judit Forca leveled at 12:12 with 15 seconds to go. Sabrina van der Sloot had her shot blocked at 00:02 and a penalty shootout determined the winner for the first time in the history of the World Women’s Championships.

Laura Aarts (Netherlands)

The Dutch were calmer at the finish of a big thriller. They scored in all five rounds. The difference was made in the 3rd round when Laura Aarts saved a shot from Bea Ortiz.

Laura Aarts was one of the heroes of the win, since she posted eight saves, including the crucial one in the shootout. The Dutch scored seven (7/11), and Spain four goals with extra players (4/9). Brigitte Sleeking and Simone van de Kraats were the best scorers in the winning team with four goals each. Judith Forca scored six for Spain.

Bronze-medal game

Italy – Australia 16:14 (5:4, 5:6, 3:1, 3:3)

Italy won its first World Championships medal after bronze in Kazan in 2015, beating Australia in a game where the “Setterossa” overcame several troubles including a red card for Valeria Palmieri late into the second quarter.

The first half was an even contest, with a few turns. Still, Australia was more often in front. However, until the 14th minute, neither of the sides had a 2-goal lead. Midway through the second period, Australia’s Casey scored for 7:6. Italy responded with three goals in a minute and a half and turned around the slim deficit to a 9:7 lead. However, Italy’s series was stopped at the finish of the quarter.

Roberta Bianconi (Italy) Photo by Albert ten Hove/Orange Pictures

Italian captain Valeria Palmieri was excluded for a brutality foul 57 seconds before the middle break (after a VAR check, the referees sent her out because of striking Bronte Halligan). Alice Williams scored from a penalty awarded after the red card. The “Aussies” leveled shortly after. But, just seven seconds before the middle break Italy regained a lead from a 5 on 4. Still, Australia’s Charlize Andrews beat the buzzer and leveled at 10:10 in the very last second of the first half.

Still, Australia didn’t take advantage of the red card for Palmieri. The “Aussies” took the lead early in the third (11:10), but after the end of the 4-minute substitution, Italy took control and produced a 5:0 run for a 15:11 lead (28th minute). Australia halved the deficit but wasn’t close to equalizing the score.

The Italians Roberta Bianconi, with six, and Claudia Marletta, with five goals, were the leaders of the winning team. Alice Williams scored three for Australia. There were a lot of power-play goals, but Italy had a better conversion – 8/10 to Australia’s 7/13.

5th-place game

USA  – Hungary 15:13 (4:2, 1:3, 5:4, 1:2, PSO 4:2)

The outgoing champion Team USA beat Hungary in the 2022 World Championships final rematch. Today’s game had no big importance, unlike the one in Budapest. The gold medal wasn’t at stake, but both teams were motivated to finish the tournament with a victory. Still, both sides had ups and downs.

Rita Keszthelyi of Hungary, Maggie Steffens of USA

The first quarter saw Team USA taking a 3:0 and 4:1 lead. But, Hungary responded with a 5:0 series. A minute and 14 seconds before the middle break, Dora Leimeter put the Europeans ahead – 5:4. Rachell Fattal ended USA’s goalless phase that lasted for almost 11 minutes and the teams were tied at 5:5 at halftime.

Team USA earned a 2-goal lead several times during the second half (7:5, 8:6,10:8, 11:9). Raney made it 11:9 from a 6 on 5 in the 26th minute and the Americans couldn’t find the net in the following minutes. Rebecca Parkes converted an extra player for 10:11 in the middle of the quarter . Two minutes and 12 seconds before the end, Farago leveled at 11:11. It was also a power-play goal. Both teams had 6 on 5s in their last possessions in the match, but nobody scored a winner, so the game continued in a penalty shootout.

Bayley Weber (USA), Kamilla Farago (HUN), All photos by Orange Pictures

Hungary didn’t score in the first two rounds of shots. Farago hit the post and USA’s goalie Ashleigh Johnson saved a shot from Hajdu. Those were the only two misses in a shootout; the Americans claimed the win and 5th place.

The best scorer was Hungary’s Rita Keszthelyi, with five goals. Jordan Raney contributed to USA’s victory with four goals.Amanda Longan, who was in front of the USA’s goal in the regular time, made nine saves. Alda Magyari posted seven saves for Hungary.

7th-place game

Canada – Greece 14:12 (4:1, 1:4, 4:1, 1:4, PSO 4:2)

The series of thrilling games and penalty shootouts on the last day of the women’s tournament started with the 7th-place game.

In the first quarter, Canada dominated the game, but Greece dictated the pace in the second period and the first half ended with a 5:5 score. The third period was a replay of the first quarter. Canada regain control of the game. The North Americans took a 6:5 lead, the Greeks leveled at 6:6. Then, the Canadians scored three straight goals to head into the fourth period with a 9:6 advantage. What Canada did in the third, Greece repeated in the fourth period.

Canada head coach David Paradelo All photos by Orange Pictures

At the beginning of the quarter, the sides exchanged goals and Canada kept a 10:7 lead for a while. However, Greece produced a comeback with three unanswered goals in the last 03:12 minutes. Eleni Xenaki found the net from a center-forward position with 12 seconds remaining and set the final score of the regular time – 10:10.

Canada’s goalkeeper Jessica Gaudreult posted two saves in a shootout. Her colleague Ioanna Stamatopoulou blocked one shot and Canada finished in 7th place.

Final standings

1.Netherlands
2.Spain
3.Italy
4.Australia
5.USA
6.Hungary
7.Canada
8.Greece
9.France
10.Israel
11.New Zealand
12.South Africa
13.China
14.Japan
15.Kazakhstan
16.Argentina

All medal winners

1986 (Madrid): 1. Australia, 2. Netherlands, 3. United States
1991 (Perth):  1. Netherlands, 2. Canada, 3. United States
1994 (Rome): 1. Hungary, 2. Netherlands, 3. Italy
1998 (Perth): 1. Italy, 2. Netherlands, 3. Australia
2001 (Fukuoka): 1. Italy, 2. Hungary, 3. Canada
2003 (Barcelona): 1. United States, 2. Italy, 3. Russia
2005 (Montreal): 1. Hungary, 2. United States, 3. Canada
2007 (Melbourne): 1. United States, 2. Australia, 3. Russia
2009 (Rome): 1. United States, 2. Canada, 3. Russia
2011 (Shanghai): 1. Greece, 2. China, 3. Russia
2013 (Barcelona): 1. Spain, 2. Australia, 3. Hungary
2015 (Kazan): 1. United States, 2. Netherlands, 3. Italy
2017 (Budapest): 1. United States, 2. Spain, 3. Russia
2019 (Gwangju): 1. United States, 2. Spain, 3. Australia
2022 (Budapest): 1. United States, 2. Hungary, 3. Netherlands
2023 (Fukuoka): 1. Netherlands, 2. Spain, 3. Italy

For more news and the World Championships schedule, visit Total Waterpolo’s 2023 World Championships page.

More articles about the World Championships

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more video content, subscribe to our Youtube Channel and Tik Tok account

Ivan Curcic
Ivan Curcic

Related posts

Rino Buric Photo: Orange Pictures

June 24, 2025

[CONFIRMED] Rino Buric to Pro Recco


Read more

Krisztian Manhercz (Hungary) Photo by K.Vulovic/Water Polo Federation of Montenegro

June 23, 2025

Hungary wins tournament in Sicily ahead of Italy, Spain, and Greece


Read more

Marco Del Lungo Photo by Laszlo Balogh/Total Waterpolo

June 22, 2025

[CONFIRMED] Marco Del Lungo to Savona


Read more

SUPPORT US ON PATREON

If you share our passion for water polo worldwide, consider becoming a cherished contributor to our cause, with as little as 5$/month.

SUPPORT US


Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

✕
  • 0
    [CONFIRMED] Rino Buric to Pro Recco
    June 24, 2025
  • Hungary wins tournament in Sicily ahead of Italy, Spain, and Greece
    June 23, 2025
  • [CONFIRMED] Marco Del Lungo to Savona
    June 22, 2025
  • Home
  • Water Polo News
  • WearWaterpolo Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Project Superstar – TW Camp
  • BIWPA
  • Custom Team Equipment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
© 2021 Total Waterpolo. All Rights Reserved.
✕
CroMasters '24
Support Us
  • News
  • SINGAPORE 2025
    • Men’s tournament
    • Women’s tournament
  • Results
    • Champions League
      • Season 24/25
      • Season 23/24
      • Season 22/23
    • International
      • World Cup 2025 Men
      • European Championships
        • Eindhoven 2024 – Women
        • Croatia 2024 – Men
        • Split 2022
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2020
        • Barcelona 2018
      • World Championships
        • Doha 2024
          • Women
          • Men
        • Fukuoka 2023
          • Women
          • Men
        • Budapest 2022
          • Women
          • Men
      • Olympics
        • Tokyo 2020
          • Women
          • Men
        • Paris 2024
          • Women
          • Men
      • NCAA
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2024
        • NCAA Men’s Finals 2023
      • Pacific Cup 2024
    • National
      • Montenegro
        • Montenegrin League 2024/25
        • Montenegrin Cup 2024/25
      • Austria
        • Austrian League 2025 – Men
        • Austrian League 2024 – Women
        • Austrian League 2024 – Men
      • Nordic League
        • Nordic League Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League Women 2024/25
        • Nordic League U16 2024/25
        • Nordic Trophy Men 2024/25
        • Nordic League 2023/24
        • Nordic Trophy 2023/24
      • Hong Kong
        • Hong Kong Women’s League 24/25
        • Hong Kong Men’s League 24/25
      • AWL
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2024/25
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2023/24
        • Alpe Waterpolo League 2022/23
      • Slovenia
      • Lithuania
      • Latvia
      • Hungarian League 2023 – Men
      • French League 2023 – Men
      • Spanish League 2023 – Men
      • Italian League 2023 – Men
    • Masters
      • Masters Cup 2025
      • VAL League 2024/25
      • Sabac Masters 2024
      • Masters Cup 2024
      • Budva Masters 2024
    • Junior
      • DSV 98 Cup 2025
      • Summer Cup 2025
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U12
      • HaBaWaBa Spain 2025 – U10
      • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus 2025
      • Next Generation 2024 – Men
      • Next Generation 2024 -Women
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U10)
      • HaBaWaBa Easter 2024 (U12)
      • HabaWaba Spain Plus 2024
      • Plejade
      • Dobri Dupin
  • Transfers
  • Shop
  • Total Player
    • Total Player 2024
    • Total Player 2023
    • Total Player 2022
    • Total Player 2021
    • Total Player 2020
    • Total Player 2019
    • Total Player 2018
    • Total Player 2017

We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalized content. By clicking "Accept All Cookies" or continuing to browse this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT