In the 17 editions of the World Aquatics World Cup, Netherlands holds the most crowns at eight with three silvers and a bronze medal.

USA beat Netherlands in that first edition and this year’s event, which eclipses the old World League, will again be dominated by USA, which won the last edition in Surgut, Russia in 2018 and the two before that.

USA has four titles from nine finals and has a bronze medal to make it third on the all -time ladder behind Netherlands (8-3-1) and Australia (3-3-5). Australia failed to qualify for the first time this year after never being lower than sixth (twice) in 17 outings.

The World Cup is now an annual event and two-series of matches in Rotterdam, Netherlands and Athens, Greece found the first six qualifiers while the Division II tournament in Berlin, Germany selected the final pair.

The format is as simple as it is cut-throat with quarterfinals, semifinals and classifications.

While USA will be hard to beat at home, Netherlands will be out to prove defeating USA at home in Rotterdam was no fluke. Teams have been getting closer and closer to USA in recent years, specifically the Dutch, the Spaniards, the Hungarians and even the Italians.

How they match up

Day one starts with Greece against Hungary. In their Rotterdam clash, Hungary came out on top 14-12 with captain Rita Keszthelyi scoring six goals. Greece had two narrow losses — 9-8 and 11-9 — and a blowout loss to USA in recent exhibition matches in the USA.

Spain and Italy face off in the second encounter with the Italians getting the better of Spain 13-9 in Athens. Spain won its group, which included non-qualifiers Australia and China. Claudia Marletta (ITA) was the top scorer in the encounter with Spain, scoring four goals. Elena Ruiz is still the young playmaker while Anni Espar will be wanting more glory.

The third match-up is between Netherlands — with the high-shooting Simone van de Kraats and Berlin qualifier New Zealand. With the Dutch a group winner in the Division I series, New Zealand will need to be in top form to hope to snare a win. Emmerson Houghton has a wicked shot and will be out to impress in an event where New Zealand is a perennial visitor and finished seventh in 2018.

Israel is making its debut at World Aquatics level this year and to play USA in its den will be a tough ask. Watch out for Israeli veteran Shunit Strugo and the full-strength USA team fresh from an 18-5 victory over Greece. Maddie Musselman is in dynamite form with eight goals against the Greeks in their three-match Californian series.

The tournament will be a valuable pointer to the World Aquatics Championships being staged in Fukuoka, Japan next month.

Friday Schedule

Match 1, 13:00, Greece v Hungary

Match 2, 15:00, Spain v Italy

Match 3, 17:00, Netherlands v New Zealand

Match 4, 19:00, Israel v United States of America

Saturday Schedule

Match 5, 13:00, Loser 1 v Loser 4

Match 6, 15:00, Loser 2 v Loser 3

Match 7, 17:00, Winner 1 v Winner 4

Match 8, 19:00, Winner 2 v Winner 3

Sunday Schedule

Match 9, 13:00, Loser 5 v Loser 6

Match 10, 15:00, Winner 5 v Winner 6

Match 11, 17:00, Loser 7 v Loser 8

Match 12, 19:00, Winner 7 v Winner 8