Water Polo 2024 Paris Olympic Review

Men’s Event 

In Pool A, Greece topped the group despite ending on the same points as Italy while the United States edged Croatia based on head-to-head record. Spain won Pool B with Australia springing a surprise by finishing second. The quarter-finals overturned group-stage form,as third and fourth placed finishers advanced to the semi finals. Hungary and United States both won on penalties against Italy and Australia. Serbia defeated United States 10-6 to reach the final, while Croatia edged a 9-8 victory over Hungary. United States won bronze on a shootout and Serbia took gold after a 13-11 victory after taking an early lead. 

🥇Serbia 🇷🇸

🥈Croatia 🇭🇷

🥉United States 🇺🇸

Prediction analysis; 0 medalists correct

I called this open in my analysis. Italy and Spain were both upset in the quarter finals whilst Hungary lost on a shootout in the bronze medal matchup. 

Women’s Event 

Australia topped Group A with two penalty shootout victories, finishing level on points with the Netherlands, while Hungary placed third. Spain won all four games in Group B, to finish above the United States. Those top finishers made it through to the semi finals. Both semi finals were decided by shootouts. Australia beat the United States 6-5 with Spain beating the Netherlands 5-4. Netherlands came from 9-6 down to stop United States from winning a water polo medal, the first time since the event made the Olympics. Spain beat Australia 11-9 to win gold. 

🥇Spain 🇪🇸

🥈Australia 🇦🇺

🥉Netherlands 🇳🇱

Prediction analysis; 2 medalists correct, 1 perfect prediction 

Despite a bit of a drop off in form, it felt impossible to predict against United States here. I did think Spain were the next best team and they won gold. I pointed out Australia as a possibility to upset the top tier of contenders but didn’t foresee a medal.