Before we jump right into 2022, here’s a bit about the experts FINA polled for this exercise in insight – not that any one of them needs much of an introduction in and around the world of water polo. 

Tania Di Mario: A five-time FINA World Championships competitor and four-time Olympian, the Rome-native won gold with her Italian teammates at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics and silver in Rio de Janeiro. Affectionately known as Setterosa, Di Mario tops the all-time scoring charts in the history of Olympic women's water polo with her 47 goals. 

Bronwyn Smith: The Australian water poloist helped lead her squad to gold at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. Competing at home, Smith was super-clutch, scoring goals in both the semifinals and in the Olympic final where the Aussies topped Team USA 4-3 with an unbelievable last-second goal to take the gold.

Water Polo Experts Tell All: Preseason picks before the start of the FINA Women's Water Polo World League

Fill in the blank: this year's FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final champion will be ____________. 

Di Mario: USA.

Smith: Hungary. With the win against the USA in Tokyo their confidence will be high and they could be ready to take out the Super League Final.

Which team that has had a difficult and disappointing 2021 do you expect to rebound in 2022? 

Di Mario: I believe and hope it will be Italy. The non-qualification was terrible but the change it has brought and the work that the staff and the girls are doing will certainly give evident results.

Smith: I think Australia had a tough 2021 as they did not have any international competition prior to the Tokyo Olympics for 18 months. The Netherlands also had a tough 2021 and could rebound well this year, with some excellent young shooters in their team.

TRUE or FALSE: Hungary - the team that beat the USA in the group at the Olympics and finished second in last year's superfinal - are the team best placed to deny the Americans an eighth consecutive Superfinal title. 

Di Mario:  FALSE. The post-Olympic year is always characterized by great changes, and it is difficult to compare two teams at a distance over an entire season. Hungary by history and tradition is one of the strongest national teams ever, but I like to think that it will not be the only one to be able of beating the USA team, it would be nice to see a tournament with many surprises. 

Smith: TRUE.

Name that rivalry: _____vs _____ is consistently the best duel in women's water polo today.

Di Mario: Italy vs Hungary. I don't know if it's consistently the best but for me, it has a special charm. 

Smith: Australia vs USA. I think that the USA is always nervous to play Australia and it is always a good duel.

Which young player will have the biggest success this year?

Di Mario: Two names: Elena Ruiz of Spain and Maria Myriokefalitaki of Greece. 

Smith: Elena Ruiz (Spain) and Abby Andrews (Australia) both did well in Tokyo and will build in confidence and experience this year.

Name that team: ________ is ready to go from dark horse executor to the best contender. 

Di Mario: China.

Smith: Netherlands. The Netherlands had some very close games and strong performances in Tokyo and could and should upset some teams this year.

Complete this sentence: Does the FINA Women's Water Polo Super League Player of the Year award go to ___________.

Di Mario: Maddie Musselman (USA)

Smith: Rebecca Parkes (Hungary) 

Must Watch Alert: With the European qualifiers for the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League getting underway on Tuesday, which matchup are you most interested to see?

Di Mario: I hope to be able to watch them both ... now more than ever I am hungry for international water polo. I will cheer a lot, but only for one of course!

Smith: I think Russia vs Italy will be an interesting game in the first round.

Bonus Question! Bronwyn 's Pick ‘Em: FINA Women’s Water Polo World League European Qualification 2022 – January 25th Games

EXPERT

 RUS v ITA

GRE v HUN

Bronwyn Smith

Russia

Hungary