Water Polo 2020 Tokyo Olympic Review

Men’s Event

The four teams expected to go through in Pool A started well, with Greece beating Hungary before drawing with Italy. In Pool B, there was an upset as Australia defeated Croatia. Spain showed its strength by beating Serbia and Montenegro. Greece went on to win Pool A ahead of Italy, Hungary and the United States. Despite the upset, Australia did not progress from Pool B. Spain won the group, whilst two of the pre-tournament favourites in Serbia and Montenegro finished third and fourth. Spain took the first quarter-final 12-8 before Greece defeated Montenegro 10-4. Serbia beat Italy 10-6 and Hungary overcame Croatia 15-11. Greece never trailed in the semi-final when causing, what some would consider, an upset over Hungary by winning 9-6. Serbia came from behind at halftime to beat Spain 10-9 to maintain their hopes of defending their Olympic title. The bronze medal match was tight, level at halftime, but Hungary did not concede in the second half, beating Spain 9-5. In the final, after an early lead, Serbia never allowed Greece to get back in front and took another gold medal.

🥇Serbia 🇷🇸

🥈Greece 🇬🇷

🥉Hungary 🇭🇺

Women’s Event

Spain and Australia opened strongly, with Australia defeating the Netherlands. In Pool B, Russia and Hungary played out a draw, whilst the United States started strongly against the lower ranked countries. Spain won the group ahead of the Netherlands and Australia, with all three beating one another. The United States suffered their first defeat in 13 years to Hungary but still took the group over Hungary and Russia. Russia edged Australia 9-8 and went on to face Spain, who won 11-7. The United States led 11-3 at halftime and comfortably beat Canada 16-5. Hungary beat the Netherlands 14-11 in the other semi-final. Russia lead the semi-final 7-6 at half time, but the United States rallied to win 15-11. Spain were 5-2 up at halftime and stretched the lead to 8-4 at the end of the third quarter. Hungary pulled it back to 8-6 but could not complete the comeback. Hungary took a 7-5 lead in the third-place play-off at halftime, only for Russia to score three in the third quarter. In the final quarter, Hungary scored four to take the bronze. In the final, the United States took the lead and never looked back, taking a 14-5 victory over Spain.

🥇United States 🇺🇸

🥈Spain 🇪🇸

🥉Hungary 🇭🇺