Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-52×48Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48Total-waterpolo-blog-logo-238×48
  • News
  • SUKNO U15 CAMP – MALTA 2023
  • SHOP NOW
  • LIVESCORE
    • 2023 FINA Men’s Water Polo World Cup
    • LEN Champions League 2022/23
    • Budva Masters 2023
    • Sunčana Kapica
    • HaBaWaBa Spain Plus
    • Alpe Waterpolo League
    • Nordic League
      • Nordic league 2022/23
      • Nordic League 2021/22
      • Nordic Women’s League 2022
    • GERMANY
    • AUSTRIA 🇦🇹
      • Bundesliga Women
      • Bundesliga Men
      • Supercup
      • Cup
      • Regionalliga Ost
      • U-21 Women
      • U-19
      • U-17
      • U-15
      • U-13
      • U-12
      • U-11
    • SLOVENIA 🇸🇮
      • Slovenian championship 2022/23
      • Slovenian Cup 2022/23
    • FINLAND 🇫🇮
      • Championship
      • U-13
      • U-15
      • U-17
    • AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺
      • Sydney Super League 2.0 Men
      • Sydney Super League 2.0 Women
    • ROMANIA 🇷🇴
      • Superliga Națională – Romanian Water Polo League 2022/23
      • Superliga Națională
    • ICELAND 🇮🇸
      • Winter League Men 2021
      • Winter League Women 2021
    • LITHUANIA 🇱🇹
      • Championships
      • Nordic Junior CH U17
      • Nordic Junior CH U15
    • Total Waterpolo Trophy U-15
    • RWL
      • Premier League 21/22
      • A1 League 21/22
  • National
    • Spain
    • Hungary
    • Italy
    • France
    • Germany
    • Netherlands
  • International
    • Tokyo 2020 Olympic Water Polo
    • World Championships
      • Budapest 2022 Men
      • Budapest 2022 Women
      • FINA World Men’s Junior Championships Prague 2021
      • Gwangju 2019
      • Budapest 2017
    • European Championships
      • Split 2022 – M
      • Split 2022 – W
      • Budapest 2020
      • Barcelona 2018
    • Other
      • World League – Belgrade 2019
      • World Cup – Berlin 2018
      • Junior WC Prague 2021
      • Junior EC Podgorica 2022
      • Montenegro Cup 2022 (U16)
  • LEN Champions League
    • LEN Champions League 2022/23
    • LEN Champions League 2019/2020
    • LEN Champions League 2018/2019
  • Total Player Award
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
✕

Total Player 2021 by Total Waterpolo

December 18, 2021

We’d want to take this time to thank all of the coaches, players, and media representatives who have contributed to the Total Player Award over the last five years. Because of them, this prize is without a doubt one of the most transparent individual awards in sports. We’d also like to express our gratitude to all of our readers for their support, and we guarantee that we’ll do everything we can to make this project even better.

Here is our TOP 5 pick for both categories

 

TPA21-Female-Player-Avatars-Musselman

1. Maddie Musselman (USA)

US National Player | Clubs: UCLA | Position: Left Driver

The level of quality in the team USA is so high, that is really hard to pick who is the best. But this year we think that Maddie deserves the spotlight. She played constantly on the highest level throughout the World League and Olympic Games.
TPA21-Female-Player-Avatars-Johnson

2. Ashleigh Jonhson (USA)

USA National Player | Clubs: Ethnikos | Position: Goalkeeper

She was our MVP of the Olympic tournament and was especially inspired at the crucial moments. The ease with which she handled the world's greatest shooters is incredible.
TPA21-Female-Player-Avatars-VanDeKraats

3. Simone van de Kraats (NED)

Dutch National Player | Clubs: Polar Bears / CN Mataro | Position: Right Driver

With only 21 years, she is the deadliest left hander in the world. Simone was the best scorer in Tokyo and she is definitely number one contender to chase Maggie Steffens historical record.
TPA21-Female-Player-Avatars-Steffens

4. Maggie Steffens (USA)

US National Player | Club: CN Sabadell | Position: Left Driver

Last year Maggie was named the Total Player (for the 21st century) and, looking at her performance this year, we wouldn't be surprised if she wins it again this year. She is a true leader who continually enhances her teammates.
TPA21-Female-Player-Avatars-Espar

5. Anni Espar (ESP)

Spanish National Player | Clubs: CN Mataro | Position: Right Driver

Anni is always the leading figure is Spanish team. She proved that once again in Tokyo.
TPA21-Male-Player-Avatars-Madnic-11

1. Dusan Mandic (SRB)

Serbian National Player | Clubs: Pro Recco / Novi Beograd | Position: Right Driver

The only player who won the biggest club and national team competition in the last season. Every team in the world is aware they need to close him down. Despite that he scored 4 goals against Brescia in the CHL semifinal and 3 goals in the final against FTC. In Tokyo, Serbia played fantastic water polo in the knockout phase. Again Mandic made a meaningful contribution scoring on three occasions in the semis and in the final. He finished the Olympic tournament with 17 goals (47% SP, only 2 from penalty), 6 assists and 8 personal fouls draws.
TPA21-Male-Player-Avatars-Vlachopoulos-9

2. Angelos Vlachopoulos (GRE)

Greek National Player | Clubs: Brescia / Novi Beograd | Position: Left Driver

Brescia had a great team last season and Vlachopoulos was definitely one of the crucial elements in dethroning Pro Recco as an Italian champion. He was also their best player in the CHL Final 8 where they finished 3rd. He continued his great performance in Tokyo where he was the best assistant (15) of the tournament and added 9 goals, 8 steals, 6 blocks and most importantly, a silver medal for Greece.
TPA21-Male-Player-Avatars-Filipovic-2

3. Filip Filipovic (SRB)

Serbian National Player | Clubs: Szolnok / Olympiacos | Position: Right Driver

His last-moment goal against Spain in Tokyo is inmortal. But Filipovic did more than that. He led Szolnok to a surprising title in Hungary against FTC and added another European title to his trophy room - LEN Euro Cup. Amazing season with the brightest shine for Filipovic. We will definitely miss his brilliance in the upcoming international tournaments.
TPA21-Male-Player-Avatars-Jaksic-7

4. Nikola Jaksic (SRB)

Serbian National Player | Clubs: FTC / Novi Beograd | Position: Center Back

A role model of modern water polo. It is amazing how year by year he manages to improve his game in both ways. One of the rear players, who is able to cleanly defend against strongest CF in the world and then have enough energy to be a dangerous attacker, from perimeter, or to swim in as a second center forward. The Olympic tournament was definitely his best water polo in his career so far and absolutely deserved our MVP title (12 goals ,13 PF drawn, 7 assists, 7 blocks, 7 steals). We strongly believe that Jaksic won’t finish his career without at least one Total Player trophy.
TPA21-Male-Player-Avatars-Ivovic-2

5. Aleksandar Ivovic (MNE)

Montenegrian National Player | Clubs: Pro Recco | Position: Driver

Probably the most dominant water polo player for several years now. It is hard to find superlatives for the ease with which he plays our sport. He lifted the CHL trophy as Recco’s captain and was named the best scorer (23 goals) of the Olympic tournament. If Montenegro had their strongest roster in Tokyo, he would probably be on the top of our list.
Public-Vote-Header-Neon

Vote for your Total Player 2021 now!

Support your favourite pick and support them on their way to the Total Player.


Vote now
TW Press
TW Press

Related posts

December 21, 2021

Total Player 2021 by Ruswaterpolo


Read more
December 20, 2021

Total Player 2021 by VLV


Read more
December 17, 2021

Total Player 2021 by Dance.hr


Read more

Featured Projects

Learn More

Learn More

Custom Team Gear

LEARN MORE

Shop Now

Looking for something?

✕
  • Jug returns to Regional League throne after new thriller in Belgrade
  • Marseille secures “pole position” after win in derby; Tourcoing climbs 3rd place
  • Favorites win in derbies; three teams advance
  • Barceloneta blows Terrassa away for Barcelona’s double joy
  • Spanish League: Closely-fought games across division
  • 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.
Total Waterpolo Arena