Team USA and Hungary qualified for the quarterfinals after the second day of the women’s tournament at the World Championships in Singapore.
The two previous world champions, the titleholder Team USA and the 2023 champion Netherlands, faced off in the highlighted match of the day. The Americans led for most of the time and recorded an 11:9 victory, which secured them the top spot in Group B
Hungary cemented 1st place in Group C and improved its goal difference with a 33:13 victory over Japan.
It’s very likely that Australia and Spain will also qualify for the quarterfinals after the group stage.
Today, Australia defeated Italy in the crucial match in Group B. The “Aussies” recorded a four-goal win (19:15). Spain cruised to a 23:6 victory over France in Group D.
The winning teams scored more than 20 goals in most of today’s matches. Greece recorded the most convincing win, defeating Croatia 31:7.
2025 World Women’s Water Polo Championships, Day 2
A
Group A
Australia – Italy 19:15 (4:3, 4:2, 6:4, 5:6)
Australia: A. Andrews 5, Williams 4, Kearns 3, C.Andrews 3, Ballesty 2, Hallingan 1, Jackovich 1
Italy: Ranalli 6, Bianconi 2, Bettini 2, Cocchiere 2, Leone 1, Giustini 1, Meggiato 1.
Italy performed significantly better than in their opening match against New Zealand. However, the Olympic silver medalists showed that they were a more serious contender for a medal than Italy.
Australia gained a crucial advantage in the first half and successfully thwarted all of Italy’s comeback attempts in the third and fourth periods. In the fourth minute, Italy achieved its first and only lead of the game when Ranalli converted a penalty shot, putting her team ahead 3:2. However, this was followed by a 4:0 run from Australia, with Daniela Jackovich finishing that streak by scoring from the center-forward position in the 10th minute (6:3). Ranalli then reduced the deficit to two goals at 4:6. Still, Australia responded with two more goals, extending the lead to 8:4.
Alice Williams (AUS) and Alessia Millo (ITA) Photo by Albert ten Hove/MTB-Photo
Early in the second half, the Italians managed to narrow the gap to two goals on two occasions (6:8 and 7:9), but were unable to make further progress. Australia secured its victory decisively between the 19th and 23rd minutes, scoring five goals while conceding just one, which gave them a commanding 14:8 lead. Aby Andrews was in the leading role in that interval, with three goals. While Italy continued to fight to come back, Australia maintained control of the game.
Both teams had identical and very good percentages for extra-player shots (8/13), but the difference came from action goals. Australia scored 10 action goals, with many coming from the centre-forward position and close-range shots. Italy managed to net only five from 6-on-6 possessions. Australia’s goalkeeper, Gabriella Palm, performed well with 11 saves.
New Zealand – Singapore 22:7 (8:2, 5:1, 3:2, 6:2)
New Zealand: McDowall 8, Houghton 3, Nicholson 2, Gault 2, Spark 2, Doyle 1, Quin 1, Shorter-Robinson 1, Howart 1, Dunn 1.
Singapore: Tio 4, Yap 1, Hui Lee 1, Ong 1.
Singapore did not pose any significant challenge to the “Kiwis.” While New Zealand is not part of the water polo elite, it boasts a more experienced team, headed by Morgan McDowall, and a much longer tradition than the host country.
New Zealand has qualified for the crossover round, and on Day 3, it will aim to make a good impression in the Oceanic derby against Australia.
Standings: 1. Australia 6, 2. New Zealand 3, 3. Italy 3, 4. Singapore 0.
B Group B
Netherlands – USA 9:11 (2:3, 3:4,1:2, 3:2)
Netherlands: L. Rogge 3, Van de Kraats 2, Keuning 1, B.Rogge 1, Sevenich 1, Joustra 1.
USA: Ausmus 3, Lineback 2, Neushul 2, Roemer 1, Gazzaniga 1, Sekulic 1, Pearson 1.
The duel between the 2024 world champion USA and the Netherlands, the titleholder from 2023, was a rematch of the bronze-medal match at the Paris Olympics, where the Netherlands triumphed with a score of 11:10. Both teams have evolved since last summer, but the Dutch retained more key players on their roster.
Team USA Photo by MTB-Photo
The Dutch scored the first goal in the match, but after winning the first quarter 3:2, the Americans were always in front. Ryann Neuschul converted a man-up opportunity, giving the Americans a 2-goal lead for the first time (4:2). From that point until midway through the quarter, the teams exchanged goals. The Dutch managed to cut the deficit three times, but the USA responded immediately each time. Three and a half minutes before the halftime break, Anna Pearson extended Team USA’s lead to 7:5, which remained the score at the end of the first half. The Americans had a chance to increase their lead to three goals when they had a 6-on-4 advantage, but Sevenich blocked a shot from Fynn.
Early in the third period, the Netherlands missed a 6-on-4 attack, leading to an extended period without goals at either end of the pool. Ausmus finally broke the deadlock in the 20th minute, converting a penalty shot to give the USA an 8:5 lead. The Dutch struggled to create good shooting opportunities against the Americans’ disciplined and strong defense. After Jovana Sekulic scored from a distance, making it 9:5, the USA took a significant step towards victory. Sevenich responded for the Dutch on the next possession with a nice backhand shot, narrowing the gap to 6:9 by the last break.
Joustra kicked off the fourth quarter with a goal, bringing the score to 7:9, but in the following possession, Gazzinga found a gap in the Dutch defense to score, extending the lead to 7:10. The Netherlands closed the gap to two goals again, but the USA quickly regained a 3-goal advantage at 11:8. Three minutes before the end, USA’s experienced goalkeeper Amanda Longan saved a penalty shot from Van de Kaarts, which was practically the Netherlands’ last opportunity to make a comeback. A minute and a half before the final whistle, Lieke Rogge scored from deep right, cutting the score to 9:11. However, the USA maintained control of the game with patient play and secured their place in the quarterfinals.
China – Argentina 29:9 (9:4, 6:1, 6:1, 8:3)
China: Zhou 4, Shao 4, Nong 4, Zhang 3, Yan 3, Yan 3,X. Wang 2,Li 2, S.Wang 1, H.Wang 1, Q. Zhang 1, J. Zhang 1.
Argentina: Perasso 2, Sampedro 2, Auliel 2, Bacigalupo 2, Riley 1.
China recovered from an 8-goal defeat to the young USA team, a loss that was anticipated, though many thought China could have made the game more competitive.
Sanfeng Nong (CHN) and Carla Comba (ARG) Photo by Albert ten Hove/MTB-Photo
The Chinese players, coached by Miki Oca, who led Spain to the Olympic gold, were disciplined and precise in their attacks, but they were overly aggressive in their defense. China committed a total of 19 personal fouls – too many for the game against an underdog. However, Argentina scored only six goals with a 6-on-5 advantage, and no Chinese player received more than two exclusions.
Standings: 1. USA 6, 2. Netherlands 3, 3. China 3, 4. Argentina 0.
C
Group C
Hungary – Japan 33:13 (8:3, 8:2, 9:3, 8:5)
Hungary: Hajdu 7, Valyi 6, Keszhelyi 5, Rybanska 5, Varro 4, Szilagyi 2, Domsodi 2, Leimeter 1, Farago 1.
Japan: Arima 4, Kawaguchi 2, Sunabe 2, Nishiyama 2, Kobayashi 1, Ura 1, Ninagawa 1.
After a 10:9 win over Greece on Day 1, Hungary demolished Japan in today’s morning session. It became the first team to secure the top spot in its group, qualifying for the quarterfinals.
Rita Keszthelyi of Hungary Photo by Albert ten Hove/MTB-Photo
Hungary had a solid 5-goal lead after the first quarter. However, during the first several minutes, the teams were in an even contest. Japan took a 1:0 lead. Hungary replied with three straight goals in less than two minutes, but the Asians managed to reduce the gap to one twice (2:3, 3:4). Still, Hungary made a 4:0 run in the final 02:20 minutes of the first quarter. At the beginning of the quarter, the top scorer, Hajdu, added another goal to make it 9:3. Hungary secured three points in the first half, but it was determined to score as many goals as possible, which resulted in a 20-goal win.
Croatia – Greece 7:31 (1:9, 4:7, 1:7, 1:8)
Croatia: Srhoj 3, Rozic 1, Jankovic 1, M.Butic 1, Skelin 1.
Greece: Tricha 5, Santa 5, V.Plevritou 4, Giannapoulou 3, Myriokefalitaki 3, Xenaki 3, Ninou 3, Koureta 2, Patra 1,E. Plevritou 1, Tornarou 1,
Greece didn’t need a lot of time to break Croatia’s resistance. The Greeks opened the match with three goals from counterattacks (they scored 11 goals from counterattacks today). After that, they added two more goals (5:0) before Croatia got on the scoreboard. Already in the 11th minute, the rivals were separated by ten goals (11:1).
Athina Giannopoulou (GRE) Photo: MTB-Photo
The Croats, who were without one of their best players, Jelena Butic (who got injured in the match against Japan), did their best and didn’t let Greece significantly increase its lead in the rest of the first half.. However, the World Cup winner demonstrated its power after the middle break.
Standings: 1. Hungary 6, 2. Greece 3, 3. Japan 3, 4. Croata 0.
D
Group D
Spain – France 23:6 (6:3, 5:2, 6:0, 6:1)
Spain: E. Ruiz 4, Perez 3, Crespi 3, Leiton 3, Gonzalez 2, A. Ruiz 2, Espar 2, Ortiz 1, Rodriguez 1, Moreno 1, Camus 1.
France: E. Vernoux 2, Boughara 1, Hardy 1, L. Vernoux 1, Heurtaux 1.
The Spaniards established an early lead of 5:0. For the next several minutes, the battle was balanced. France responded with three consecutive goals to narrow the gap to 3:5. Spain entered the second quarter with a 6:3 advantage. The teams traded goals until 8:5.
Paula Prats (ESP) All photos by Albert ten Hove/MTB-Photo
Midway through the second quarter, Spain regained dominance, holding France scoreless for 16 minutes while scoring 13 goals during that time, jumping to a 21:5 lead.
Spain now needs to confirm first place in the group in their upcoming match against Great Britain on Day 3. France will be looking for its first win and a ticket to the crossover round in the game against South Africa.
Great Britain – South Africa 12:3 (5:0, 2:2, 4:1, 1:0)
Great Britain: Turner 4, Falvey 3, Dickens 3, Clapperton 1, Rogers 1.
South Africa:Weppelman 1, Meecham 1, Banks 1.
Great Britain achieved a significant win on Day 1 (over France – 12:9). Today, the Brits didn’t shine but beat South Africa comfortably. The Europeans rushed to a 5:0 lead and then slowed down. South Africa cut the deficit to three goals by the middle of the second quarter (2:5). Great Britain regained its rhythm and produced another 5:0 rush, earning a big 10:2 advantage (21st minute).
With this victory, Great Britain secured second place in the group, and it will likely stay there, as it is unlikely to expect to beat Olympic Champion Spain on Day 3.
Cassidy Ball of Great Britain
Standings: 1. Spain 6, 2. Great Britain 6, 3. France 0, 4. South Africa 0.
Stay tuned to Total Waterpolo for full live coverage from Singapore 2025 — with real-time scoring, deep statistics, and all the stories that matter. You won’t miss a single goal, save, or surprise.More articles about the World Championships
