World Championships Women’s Preview: Can anyone end the American dynasty of dominance?

Nine months on from the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games, and the world of women’s water polo is preparing for the biggest International tournament since – the 15th edition of the Women’s tournament at the FINA World Championships in Hungary. 

Sixteen teams from five continents will, for the first time, descend on four cities across the ‘holy land’ of water polo (Budapest, Szeged, Debrecen and Sopron) for two weeks of mouth-watering action. 

The United States, who have won the Gold medal in each of the last three Olympic Games and World Championships, are the favourites for the title, but they will definitely need to be on their guard in the face of fierce competition from Europe and further afield. 

In fact, the field is bursting at the seams with a number of exceptional sides who are striving to end the American dynasty of dominance, and stake a claim to become the world’s top nation. 

In Europe alone, three nations: Spain, Hungary and the Netherlands, will almost definitely feel they should finish somewhere on the podium, while Italy and Greece are more than capable of beating anyone on their day. 

But perhaps one of the most intriguing prospects is presented by that of the Aussie Stingers. With their dominant Intercontinental Cup triumph earlier this year still very much a statement of intent, they will look to channel the spirit of 1986 – the year of the first women’s tournament, and their only World Championship triumph to date. 

Another side who are certain to compete well are Canada, and with many of their players featuring prominently in the European Leagues this season, the Maples may feel it’s high time to go one better than in 2009 – where they lost by a single goal in the final in Rome (7-6).

South America’s top nation, Brazil, are a tough team to play against, and are rebuilding with a young squad. The same applies for South Africa, whose participation at the Tokyo Olympics as the first Women’s team from Africa will go down forever as a positive innovation for the sport. 

France and New Zealand both have their long-term programmes with the Olympic games as the goal; the former with eyes on their home Olympics in 2024, while the Kiwi’s have a great chance to make their Olympic debut in Melbourne 2032. Both have big aspirations, and both will hope they can show their promise in Budapest. 

While medals may not be on the minds of some of the other nations travelling to Hungary: Argentina, Colombia, Thailand and Kazakhstan will very much use this high profile competition to develop their national teams. The aforementioned nation’s posses some exciting talent, and their attendance is a step in the right direction for the international growth of the sport, and in particular, the women’s game.

Team Previews

Group A (Budapest)

ITALY

Best Result: 1st (1998, 2001), 2nd (2003), 3rd (1994, 2015)

Players to watch: Claudia Marletta, Valeria Palmieri, Roberta Biaconi

Head Coach: Carlo Silipo

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: 6th

2020 European Championships: 5th

2022 World League Euro Finals: 3rd

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 78 (69%)

You can never really be sure what to expect from the Italians on the international stage, although the quality of their squad cannot be underestimated. Lead by Carlo Silipo, the Setterosa play with big heart, and unwavering commitment. While Italian water polo is not necessarily enjoying the success of its glory days of the early 2000’s, there is no doubt the level of the women’s game in Italy in the ascendency; with notable success in the Euro League for Plebiscito Padova, and a third place finish at the World League European Finals.

The team itself looks healthy. Laura Teani comes off the back of a solid season in goal for Plebiscito, while Claudia Marletta, Roberta Biaconi, Valeria Palmieri and Silvia Avegno (who has all but signed for Mataro) will provide more than enough attacking threat.

There is no getting away from the fact they have a pretty competitive group, and the Italians will want to ensure they finish in the top two in the group in order to avoid the Netherlands or even the United States in the cross-over. Much rests on their first fixture against Canada, who will be a tough challenge for the Italians.

However, Italy always provide good entertainment for the neutral spectator, and they come into these World Championships in a better shape now than any competition for the last Olympic cycle.

 

HUNGARY

Best Result: 1st (1994, 2005), 3rd (2013)

Players to watch: Rita Keszthelyi-Nagy, Rebecca Parkes, Greta Gurisatti, Natasa Rybanska, Kamilla Farago

Head Coach: Atilla Biro

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: 4th

2020 European Championships: 3rd

2020 Olympic Games: 3rd

2020 World League: 2nd

2022 World League Euro Finals: 4th

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 90 (69%)

Given their Olympic Bronze in Tokyo, coupled with the fact they will be playing in front of a home crowd, there is an awful lot of pressure on the Hungarians for these championships.

Rita Keszthelyi-Nagy is always a pleasure to watch, but playing at home, at Alfred Hajos, somehow brings out her scintillating, sparkling best. Rebecca Parkes is amongst the best centre-forwards in the world, and Alda Magyari can often be the inspiration her team needs in goal. Natasa Rybanska, Greta Gurisatti, Dorottya Szilagyi and Kamilla Farago are all game changers for a side that haven’t medalled at this competition since 2013.

There is no question surrounding the ability of this Hungarian squad, rather their mental capacity to stay resolute when their backs are up against the wall, and to take their chances when they come. At their best, they can beat the Olympic Champions, as seen in Tokyo. At their worst, they can self-destruct. The home advantage may help or hinder them in this respect. If the passionate Hungarian crowd get on their back in times of difficulty, it could spell trouble for the Magyars, but if they can channel the sell-out Alfred Hajos, the fans might just help them get over the line.

But it has to be said, you get the feeling something special may be on the horizon for this group of players. At Tokyo they had a small taste of glory, and now, there may be no better time than now for the stars to align.

 

CANADA

Best Result: 2nd (1991, 2009), 3rd (2001, 2005)

Players to watch: Verica Bakoc, Kyra Christmas, Emma Wright, Shae La Roche

Head Coach: David Paradelo

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: 9th

2020 Olympic Games: 7th

2020 World League: 4th

2022 Intercontinental Cup: 2nd

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 93 (59%)

The impression you often get when watching this Canada team play is always ‘what if?’. What if they had taken that chance in that game? What if they hadn’t conceded at that moment? What if things had been slightly different? David Paradelo may well have asked himself a host of similar questions during his reign as the Maples’ head coach.

Canada have a solid team, with enough quality players to give a number of top nations serious problems. Several of their players are playing at Europe’s top clubs, or at America’s top universities. Kyra Christmas has a claim to be one of the best left-handers in the world, Shae La Roche is prolific in attack, and Verica Bakoc provides the balance at both ends of the pool. Emma Wright returns from California Bears this season having played some really impressive water polo this season, and Gurpreet Sohi, as always, is Mrs Reliable.

All those things considered, added with the  fresh tactical expertise of Stefano Posterivo (who re-joins as Canada’s assistant coach), Canada could seriously consider themselves as medal contenders. Are they realistically capable of winning gold? Probably not. But could they put a string of good results together to secure a medal? Potentially.

One thing that could make or break their tournament is their defence. They seem to concede too many goals in most games they play. If they can address this problem, who knows how far they can go?

 

COLOMBIA

Best Result: N/A

Players to watch: Daniela Marin Correa

Head Coach: Esteban Vasquez

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: DNP

2022 Intercontinental Cup: 7th

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 0%

Colombia will come into this, their first World Championships, as huge underdogs. They know the majority of teams will be a class above them, but that wont necessarily be the case for all the teams. Colombia will obviously try to take as much as they can from playing against the likes of Hungary, Italy and Canada, but will particularly look forward to playing teams at their level such as Argentina, Thailand, South Africa and perhaps even New Zealand.

In the games against the nations of their level, Colombia will show that their play can be fast-paced and exciting, with Daniela Marin leading the way for the South Americans as their stand-out player.

 

Group B (Debrecen)

UNITED STATES

Best Result: 1st (2003, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2019), 2nd (2005), 3rd (1986, 1991)

Players to watch: Maddie Musselman, Maggie Steffens, Ashleigh Johnson, Rachel Fattal, Steph Haralabidis, Jordan Raney

Head Coach: Adam Krikorian

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: 1st

2020 Olympic Games: 1st

2020 World League: 1st

2020 Intercontinental Cup: 3rd

Games Played (Win %): 93 (72%)

As the tournament favourites, there is such an inevitability about the United States. They always seem like they wont make mistakes, they always seem like they will  get the job done, and they always seem like they are just that much bigger, stronger, faster and technically better than all the rest.

While all the above may seem true, and that the United States are serial winners, they are, like all teams, capable of losing. That is what the other nations will have to believe going into these World Championships. They have to ignore the they are facing Steffens, Musselman, Fattal, Haralabidis, Raney, Neushul and Johnson, and trust that the better team can win on the day.

The fact is though, if the USA turn up and apply themselves in the same way they have applied themselves at previous competitions, the United States will be strong favourites to win a fourth successive world championships.

However, the caveat for the United States is this: the core of the squad remains the same, but there are a few players in Budapest who are fairly new to the national team. And while the new additions are excellent players, they may not yet be entirely familiar with the standard of the competition they will face, let alone the weight of being hunted by the chasing pack of teams. On top of that, the United States probably haven’t trained with each other as much as they would have liked. Who knows what this could mean for them towards the back end of the tournament.

In summary though, this United States team is strong enough go all the way. However, this is by no means the best United States squad we have seen at a major international tournament in the last few years, especially considering the competition – and that may give the other teams a bit of extra impetus going into those fixtures.

 

NETHERLANDS

Best Result: 1st (1991), 2nd (1986, 1994, 1998, 2015)

Players to watch: Simone Van de Kraats, Sabrina Van der Sloot, Brigitte Sleeking, Vivian Sevenich, Bente Rogge

Head Coach: Eva Doudesis

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: 7th

2020 European Championships: 4th

2020 Olympic Games: 6th

2020 World League Euro Finals: 1st

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 98 (62%)

For the Netherlands at these World Championships, it is really time to stand up and be counted.  In the last few seasons, the Oranges have seen a gradual improvement in their play, but for the continued progress of the national team, it is time for a tangible result. The Dutch have proven many times before they can compete against the very best, but now they need to prove they can win against the very best.

When you look at the squad that Eva Doudesis has at his disposal, and that Arno Havenga had before he left last summer, the Dutch should definitely be confident of securing decent results in Budapest.  However, a difference this time around compared to previous tournaments is the increased strength in depth. If you look at the players that missed the cut for this competition alone, then you perhaps start to see that the Dutch are no longer playing off five or six players. For Budapest, they have quality in every position, and then even more on the bench. For a two week tournament, this is all you can ask for.

The Dutch have a fairly easy group, but they will obviously be concerned about the prospect of playing the United States. But more importantly, the Dutch will also be wary of what is going on in Group A, as a second place finish in their group could see them face Italy, Canada or Hungary. But the Dutch should be quietly confident that they can take home a medal in Budapest, even if they have to do it the hard way.

 

SOUTH AFRICA

Best Result: 14th (2019)

Players to watch: Chloe Meecham, Meg Maartens, Hanna Muller

Head Coach: Delaine Mentoor

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: 14th

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 29 (6%)

South Africa are once again ready to compete on the world stage, and Budapest will be an excellent barometer to see what exactly their level is. Nearly a year on from Tokyo, when this pioneering group of players made history as the first African women’s water polo team to compete at the games, Delaine Mentoor’s players are a year older, and a year stronger.

The South Africans are still not quite used to playing against the World’s elite, however they’ve had decent exposure to international competition over the last 12 months. While the squad are still fairly young, a top 10-12 finish could potentially be on the cards.

 

ARGENTINA

Best Result: N/A

Players to watch: Ashley Hatcher, Cecilia Leonard

Head Coach: Guillermo Setti

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: DNP

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 0%

Argentina will be looking forward to participating at Budapest in one of their first major international tournaments. The Blue and Whites will manage their expectations against the top teams, but will target a 12th place finish as being an excellent achievement.

From what we saw at the Intercontinental Cup earlier this year, Argentina are on a similar level to their South American counter-parts, Colombia, and to a lesser extent, Brazil. However, their squad is peppered with seasoned players, who have either played collegiate level in the US, or in the Spain.

They’ll be looking forward to matching up to South Africa in Group B, and hope they can nab the African nation to third place. While the game won’t have the superstars of other fixtures, it will certainly be an exciting watch.

Group C (Sopron)

BRAZIL

Best Result: 10th (2015)

Players to watch: Leticia Belorio

Head Coach: Frank Almora

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: DNP

2022 Intercontinental Cup: 4th

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 65 (22%)

Brazil should be targeting a top 10 finish. A well-drilled side with a lot of talent to offer, the Brazilians will be excited to play at the World Championships once more. Frank Almora’s side will be particularly excited given their draw in Group C alongside Australia, Kazakhstan and New Zealand. Australia may be a step too far, but Kazakhstan and New Zealand will very much be the sort of teams they will have wanted to play against.

It will be important for them to finish second in the group, to avoid the likelihood of facing Greece or Spain in the cross over. If they can finish second, they will probably face France, a fixture that they would surely fancy themselves to win – and secure a top 8 finish.

 

KAZAKHSTAN

Best Result: 8th (1994)

Players to watch: Anna Turova

Head Coach: Marat Naurazbekov

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: 10th

2020 World League: 8th

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 59 (22%)

Formerly Asia’s top women’s nation, Kazakhstan will be looking to get back on their perch amidst the rise of China and Japan. These World Championships will be another opportunity to show the work of their national programme and to compete at the highest international level.

Kazakhstan are obviously not considered a top-tier water polo nation, however they are definitely better than many give them credit for. Kazakhstan will definitely be confident of giving Brazil and New Zealand a good game in the Group stage.

 

NEW ZEALAND

Best Result: 7th (1991)

Players to watch: Morgan McDowall, Bernadette Doyle

Head Coach: Angie Winstanley-Smith

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: 12th

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 66 (14%)

Water polo in New Zealand is an interesting case, and will only grow building towards the 2032 Olympic Games in Melbourne. It is hard to know exactly what to expect from the Kiwi’s, given a lack of international game time against opposition of significance.

However, in the build up to these championships, they did play a friendly tournament in Laval, France, and played against France and the Netherlands B. While they were well beaten by the Dutch reserves, they only lost 13-11 to France, which would be a pretty good indicator that they are of a reasonable standard, or at least at the same level as France.

They won’t enjoy facing their Oceania rivals, Australia, but the group is as good as they could hope for, with a top 2 finish not out of the question. Their match-up with Brazil on the opening day will be an interesting watch.

 

AUSTRALIA

Best Result: 1st (1986), 2nd (2007), 3rd (1998, 2019)

Players to watch: Tilly Kearns, Abby Andrews, Amy Ridge, Bronte Halligan

Head Coach: Paul Oberman

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: 3rd

2020 Olympic Games: 5th

2022 Intercontinental Cup: 1st

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 94 (63%)

If we are talking about medal favourites for Budapest, we can’t ignore Australia. For the first time in a while, they look really like a force to be reckoned with. Despite a slightly underwhelming finish at Tokyo, many of their players come to Budapest off the back of really good seasons – in Europe, America or at home in Australia.

Under the new stewardship Paul Oberman, the squad is still predominantly unchanged with regards to personnel, but some fresh faces have livened up the squad. The will definitely hope to be top of the Group after the group stage, and will most likely face Italy or Canada in the quarter-finals.

Something the Stingers will need to continue to do so well is physically boss their opposition. But added with their athleticism, they can match the technical ability of other nations. With the right balance, they can give any team in Budapest a tricky task.

 

Group D (Szeged)

THAILAND

Best Result: DNP

Head Coach:  Natalya Rustamova

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: DNP

2019 Southeast Asia Games: 1st

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 0%

Thailand may well be the weakest team arriving in Budapest, but in the absence of China, Japan or even Singapore, they will represent Asia alongside Kazakhstan. Historically, they have done well in the Southeast Asian Games competitions, but the level of water polo doesn’t really lay a glove on some of the teams they will face in Group D.

However, the experience will be positive for Thailand in their journey in developing the sport in the country, and their participation, as mentioned, is something that is generally a good thing for growing the sport.

 

FRANCE

Best Result: 11th (2017)

Players to watch: Ema Vernoux, Louise Guillet

Head Coach: Emilien Bugeaud

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: DNP

2020 European Championships: 7th

2022 World League Euro Finals: 6th

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 25 (20%)

The French national team have been going from strength to strength in recent years, and that will only continue in the build-up to the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

The French league is now a stronger league due to a variety of factors, and that seems to be trickling through to the national team. France are qualifying for more and more competitions, their national junior teams are finishing higher than would previously had been expected.

France have a tough group – with Spain and Greece being the most likely to occupy the top two positions in the pool. Given they will have a tough cross-over match, they may not finish the tournament in as high a position as they would like. However, they will be grateful for the competition in Budapest, as well as the forthcoming European Championships in Split to develop and grow.

 

GREECE

Best Result: 1st (2011)

Players to watch: Vasiliki Plevritou, Eleftheria Plevritou, Eleni Xenaki, Maria Myriokefalitaki

Head Coach: Alexia Kammenou

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships 8th

2020 European Championships: 6th

2020 World League: 6th

2022 World League Euro Finals: 5th

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 76 (53%)

In the women’s game in Europe this season, the Greek clubs have ruled supreme. Olympiacos Piraeus bossed the Euro League (their second in a row), while Ethnikos Piraeus were deserved winners of the LEN Trophy. The performance of the Greek national team, however, has not reflected the recent successes of Greece’s clubs. And that’s something they will definitely want to change.

Alexia Kammenou’s squad includes a mix of experience and youth, but regardless of age, possess huge aptitude and skill. They look strong going forward, particularly at centre, complimented by a versatile group of players on the perimeter. They are not too strong at centre defence or in goal, and maybe this is something other teams will exploit.

But a dogged Greece could frustrate the Spanish in the Group stages, and other teams for that matter. Like a number of teams at these championships, winning may be a stretch, but they are certainly in the mix for a medal.

 

SPAIN

Best Result: 1st (2013), 2nd (2017, 2019)

Players to watch: Judith Forca Ariza, Annie Espar, Maica Garcia Godoy, Bea Ortiz, Irene Gonzalez, Paula Leiton, Elena Ruiz

Head Coach: Miki Oca

Results in FINA’s competitions since the 2019 World Championships

2019 World Championships: 2nd

2020 European Championships: 1st

2020 Olympic Games: 2nd

2020 World League: 5th

2022 World League Euro Finals: 2nd

World Championship Games Played (Win %): 63 (51%)

The reigning European champions will hope that Budapest provides them with the best chance of going one better than at the 2019 World Championships in Gwangju, and more recently, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.

Miki Oca’s side will be tired of going home with Silver medals, and may feel Budapest is time to make up for missed opportunities. However, like the United States, Spain are in the process of integrating new players into the squad, which may mean that there could be a few creases that need ironing out  in Budapest. They haven’t been in great form this year so far, losing twice to Italy at the World League, so they may need to build some momentum early on.

But there is no doubt Spain are in the top two or three sides at this competition, and anything less than a place on the podium, as a bare minimum, would be a hugely disappointing. The perennial sticking point for Spain, as it has been for years, is whether they will find a way to beat their long-term rivals, the United States. But The United States may not be the unstoppable force of previous tournaments, giving the Spaniards a glimmer of hope.

Day 1 Schedule (CET)

Group A: Canada vs Italy (19:30), Hungary vs Colombia (21:00)

Group B: South Africa vs United States (18:00), Netherlands vs Argentina (19:30)

Group C: New Zealand vs Brazil (18:00), Kazakhstan vs Australia (19:30)

Group D: Greece vs Thailand (18:00),  France vs Spain (19:30)

See full schedule and Rosters

Road to the Finals

Crossover round  (June 26):

Match 1: 2A – 3B

Match 2: 3A – 2B

Match 3: 2C – 3D

Match 4: 3C – 2D

Quarterfinals (June 28):

QF1: 1A – winner Match 3

QF2: 1B – winner match 4

QF3: 1C – winner match 1

QF4: 1D – winner match 2

Semi-finals: (June 30):

SF1: winners QF1 – QF2

SF2: winners QF3 – QF4

Finals (July 2)

Final: winner SF1 vs winner SF2

 

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

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