The FINA World Women's Youth Water Polo Championships 2022s are back after a four-year hiatus thanks to Covid-19 cancelling the 2020 edition. Spain is the returning champion, although most of those women who played in 2018 have long since filtered into the junior and senior teams. The 16-team tournament returns to Belgrade, Serbia on Monday and runs until August 8.
The strength of United States of American women’s water polo will be put to the test when the world championships start in Belgrade on Monday, in the same city as the 2018 version.
USA has been building its junior programmes to feed the senior squad, which has been almost unbeatable in the past decade, winning all the four major crowns.
USA displayed its abilities by winning the Pythia Cup in Itea, Greece last weekend, with Greece taking the silver, Hungary third, Netherlands fourth and Australia fifth.
The standout player of the tournament was USA’s Jenna Flynn, who was top scorer and MVP and will be one to watch in Belgrade.
European teams are also to the fore and the depth of nations’ programmes will be tested at a level beneath the junior level and after a period of fewer international competitions and tours because of the pandemic.
Spain is the returning champion with Greece, Italy and Australia filling the minor placings in Belgrade four years ago. They form the rankings for this year, each heading one of the four groups.
The four editions of this age group since 2012 have produced four different champions — Greece in Perth in 2012, USA in Madrid in 2014, Russia in Auckland in 2016 and Spain in Belgrade.
Italy, with a silver and bronze, heads Group A and has tournament newcomer Turkey, Kazakhstan with its 11th placing in 2018, and Hungary, a formidable opponent with its silver in 2012 and bronze in 2014.
In Group B, Greece takes the lead, having won bronze in 2018. It is joined by Uzbekistan with two 12th placings, Japan with 10th and 13th places and USA with a fourth, fifth and seventh to go with the gold medal of 2014.
Group C is fronted by Australia, whose best finish was fourth last time along with ninth, 11th and seventh. South Africa’s best showing was 11th in 2012 from four appearances. Canada claimed silver in 2014 and was 10th in 2018. Netherlands played the last three editions for fifth, fourth and sixth, a consistency echoed by its current senior team.
In Group D, Spain will be looking for a third straight final after its sole non-medal appearance as seventh in 2014, its first year in the competition. Serbia and Croatia are newcomers to the fold and New Zealand’s best was sixth in 2012, followed by 13th, 10th and ninth positions.
Day one play will be most interesting with all the Pythia Cup contestants expected to do well.
Groups:
Group A: Italy, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Hungary.
Group B: Greece, Uzbekistan, Japan, United States of America.
Group C: Australia, South Africa, Canada, Netherlands.
Group D: Spain, Serbia, Croatia, New Zealand.
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