United States of America is the undeniable queen of women’s water polo as the last three Olympics attest. A handful of teams is circling to find chinks in its armour with Hungary, Spain, Netherlands and Italy all ready to assert their credentials for Olympic gold. Competition starts at the Aquatics Centre on Saturday and continues on alternate days with the men's competition, which starts on Sunday.
The Tournament
The withdrawal of South Africa meant Canada was elevated to the 10, possibly enhancing this competition’s mana as one of the best and most eagerly anticipated tournaments since women’s international water polo began in earnest in the 1970s. Every match will be cut-throat and played like a final.
Unlike the men’s competition where anyone can win, in women’s water polo the mantra is “who can beat USA”. A win over USA at a crucial period of the competition could throw the competition wide open, as was seen at the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka last year when Italy bounced USA 8-7 in the quarterfinals, leading eventually to a Netherlands victory.
From Tokyo three years ago, the Russian Olympic Committee team, Japan and South Africa are missing. In comes France, Greece and Italy — a powerful trade.
The competition is structured in two groups of five and teams need to finish in the top four to have any chance of continuing in the competition. Only the top eight will contest matches on the final three days — quarterfinals, moving to semifinals for classifications one to eight and then on the final day, the actual top-four classification finals.
The fifth-placed teams in each group will be classified 9th-10th according to their win-loss record or goal average if a tiebreaker is required
The quarterfinals are where most top teams “start” their tournament. Group winners have the advantage of playing the fourth team in the other group while second-placed teams clash with the third-best in the other group. While group winners will be expected to win through to the quarterfinals, this is not always the case and the tightness of this competition means nothing can be left to chance. The battles in the middle ground will be the fiercest of the tournament.
The Group Stage
In Group A, teams competing, with their World Aquatics Doha 2024 ranking, are Australia (with Thetis Cup, above) (6th), Canada (8th), China (10th), Hungary (2nd) and Netherlands (5th).
In Group B, host France (13th), Greece (4th), Italy (7th), Spain (3rd) and United States of America (1st) will do battle. On the face of it, Group B presents the tougher option.
Being in the top four in your group guarantees another two matches.
The Venues
Water polo has some of the hottest tickets in Paris and expect teams to explode into action at the Aquatics Centre for the first week. Following swimming, water polo shifts to the La Defense Arena where the spectator seating more than triples to 17,000. The last time that number was achieved was in Athens 2004 and before that in Sydney 2000 for the medal rounds at the huge SOPAC facility.
The Contenders
Group A
Australia
The Aussie Stingers have undergone a change of leadership in the past year after coming within a whisper of a bronze medal at Fukuoka 2024. Dual Olympian and bronze medallist Bec Rippon has taken over the coaching reins and sixth place in Doha this year was deemed to be a setback for the programme. Maybe that reset has put more resolve into the team as it won the Thetis Cup unbeaten in Greece last month against Hungary, Greece, France and Canada. Seven players are returning from Tokyo 2020 and two, captain Zoe Arancini and Keesja Gofers are capping up for the third time. Elle Armit and Tilly Kearns are firebrands at centre forward and Bronte Halligan (above) is one of the best thinkers in the game. The team has had its Paris preparation interrupted due to reported Covid cases, which is not expected to interfere with the numbers of players on the bench.
Canada
Canada finished eighth in Doha and felt deserved of a spot in Paris, which it did. The turnaround from shock and missing a berth and then the relief of gaining a spot, serves the team well. A recent win over France and some tough Thetis Cup encounters sets the team up in its quest to at least better China and make the quarterfinals. Canada was seventh in Tokyo after three successive qualification misses and six from that team front in Paris — captain Emma Wright, Axelle Crevier, Elyse Lemay-Lavoie, Hayley McKelvey, Kindred Paul and Shae La Roche. First-timer Serena Browne is an exceptional talent on the way up.
China
China will be fielding an experienced team under the eye of Spanish men’s Olympic champion coach Juan Jane with six members playing in Tokyo and two more — Xiong Dunhan and Zhang Jing — having competed in Rio four years earlier. China has two fifth placings at the Games with the latest finish eighth. China competed in the past two world championships for 10th in Doha and 13th in Fukuoka after missing Budapest because of Covid-19. Zhang was her team’s leading scorer in Doha with Deng Zewen second highest. Their route to the quarterfinals could be easier than thought if its recent progression continues.
Hungary
Hungary may boast the highest credentials of any team in Paris, having gone to California and beaten USA at home recently. Hungary has upset USA on the biggest stages several times and with a team of veterans led by captain and scoring machine Rita Keszthelyi (above), it must be fancied to be in the mix for a group win and an easier route to the semifinals. There are seven players back from Tokyo while Keszthelyi is the only player with more experience, having also played London and Rio. It will be her third Games as captain. Rebecca Parkes at centre forward, Natasa Rybanska at centre back and speedster Vanya Valyi make this a very well-rounded team and a threat to the Netherlands and Australia for the group win.
Netherlands
Netherlands was world champion last year and European champion this year, possibly the best performances by the national team since winning Olympic gold at Beijing 2008. The Dutch were sixth in Tokyo but third, first and sixth at the three World Aquatics Championships shows it will not be far away from possibly a top-two finish in the group and then, slipping into the semifinals where anything can happen. Led by Sabrina van der Sloot, she is joined by six others from Tokyo 2020. They enter their second Games after the Dutch failed to qualify in 2012 and 2016. Wonder shooter Simone van de Kraats, two-metre stars Vivian Sevenich (above) and Kitty Lynn Joustra — all returnees — will provide much-needed goals and Laura Aarts (top of page) gets her dream job in goal on the Olympic stage for the first time.
Group B
France
As the host nation, France has a lot of work to do to satisfy the nation’s thirst for success. It will be tough for the team that has worked hard for some years awaiting this historic moment. While its men’s team won in 1924, this is a first for the French women. In the build-up, France played the three World Aquatics Championships of the past two years, finishing eighth in Budapest, ninth in Fukuoka and a disappointing 13th in Doha. The last result was sad in that France took sixth at the European Championships the month before. Emma Vernoux, Camelia Bouloukbachi and Louise Guillet will spearhead the French assault. Three newcomers since Doha have come into the team under the guidance of Greek Olympian Theodoros Lorantos.
Greece
Greece is rightfully back in the Olympic fold for the first time since finishing eighth in Beijing 2008 and second in Athens 2004. Greece is used to the bright lights with the Olympic experience a totally new factor for the current team. Greece’s claim to top-two finish in the group would be its fourth placing in Doha. However, USA and Spain were ahead of it, so the expectation of toppling these two will be wishful thinking, considering their opponents’ obvious form. Greece has the Plevritou sisters — captain Margarita Plevritou, Eleftheria Plevritou and Vasiliki Plevritou, who scored 17 goals between them in Doha; Alexandra Asimaki, the durable centre forward and the omnipresent Eirini Ninou, equal top Greek scorer in Doha and Nikoleta Eleftheriadou (above).
Italy
Italy is back in the fold after missing Tokyo, meaning there are only two athletes with Olympic experience — the evergreen Roberta Bianconi and Chiara Tabani. Bianconi will be playing her third Olympics after being a silver medallist at London 2012 while Tabani was in Rio 2016 with her illustrious team-mate. Italy was seventh in Doha, claimed the bronze medal in Fukuoka last year and was fourth in Budapest in 2022. Italy’s form at the European Championship in January was impressive, losing by single goals to eventual champion Netherlands in the semifinals and to Greece in the bronze play-off — both 7-6. Italy will also rely heavily on Silvia Avegno and Sofia Giustini (above) in the field, along with captain Valeria Palmieri at centre forward. Third or fourth might be its best chance to get to the quarterfinals and beyond.
Spain
Having Spain and USA in the same group is amazing, but both will progress to the medal round, barring upsets. The Spanish women have been a force since claiming the silver at London 2012 and winning the world championships the following year with head coach Miki Oca producing top-class players year after year. In four visits to the Olympics, Spain has been in two finals, more recently at Tokyo. It was the bronze medallist in Doha this year and silver medallist last year. Silver came in the Europeans this year, so recent form suggests it could be Spain’s time for ultimate glory. Captain Pili Pena, Anni Espar and Maica Garcia front for their fourth Olympics; Bea Ortiz, Paula Leiton and Judith Forca for their third; and Elena Ruiz for her second, making this a very experienced team.
United States of America
USA is the unabashed star of women’s water polo and under the guidance of Adam Krikorian has built a legacy that will far outlast his tenure as the world U18 crown heading USA’s way in 2022. USA is vulnerable at times, but the inner will of all members gets it across the line more often than not. Three consecutive gold medals establish the credential, let alone the multi World, World Cup and World League titles attest. Hungary found a chink in a shared exhibition series recently, but that crack should be welded shut by the time USA steps out on Saturday against Greece. Triple gold medallist Maggie Steffens heads up the team list of stars that include dual champions Maddie Musselman, Kaleigh Gilchrist, Rachel Fattal and goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson. Bet against USA winning a fourth gold at your peril. Steffens, if she wins a medal as expected, would join countrywomen Brenda Villa and Heather Petrie as the only four-time medallists.
Day 1 Schedule
Match 01. 14:00. Group A, Netherlands v Hungary
Match 02. 15:35. Group B, Greece v United States of America
Match 03. 18:30. Group B, v Spain France
Match 04. 20:05. Group A, Australia v China