FINA Water Polo World League
Since 2002, the world’s best water polo national teams meet in an annual season format and compete against one another in the sport’s first international league.
In 2007, FINA launched a new formula with a more standard format comprising only preliminaries and the Super Final for both men’s and women’s tournament. In the preliminaries, the competition is organised as a tournament system, two for Asia and Oceania, one for Africa, and a series of “home and away” games for Europe. A Super Final with eight qualifying teams concludes the competition, comprising one team from the Americas, two from the Asia and Oceania tournament, one from Africa and four from the European tournament.
WPWL 2013 - Women's and Men's Tournament Information
In the linked documents below you will find the proposed dates and the updated “Rules and Regulations” including the financial conditions for participating in and organising these events as well as the participation form.
Should your National Federation wish to bid for the organisation of an event of the World League, please use the additional bidding form.
Super Final 2012 (Men): Croatia beats Spain to clinch first World League title
KAZAKHSTAN, Almaty (June 17) – Water polo at its prime: Croatia won a thrilling final against Spain in a penalty shootout; eleven rounds were needed to decide the title which finally went to Croatia, for the first time in World League history. Italy came third after a narrow win over USA, the hosts celebrated Kazakhstan‘s best ever placement in any FINA competition as they clinched the fifth position ahead of China, and the Australians found some consolation in their victory against Brazil.
The final day’s action was attended by FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione and Dariga Nazarbayeva, Chairperson of the Social and Development Committee of the Kazakh Parliament, daughter of the country’s President, Nursultan Nazarbayev. The FINA President and Mrs Nazarbayeva presented the gold medals to the victorious Croatian players at the end of the event which was very well organised, thanks to the tremendous efforts by the Kazakh Swimming Federation.
Super Final 2012 (Men): Spain upsets Italy, meets Croatia in final
KAZAKHSTAN, Almaty (June 16) – World champion Italy couldn’t make it to the final this time: they were pushed aside by Mediterranean arch rivals Spain in a game decided by the penalties. The other semi final saw Croatia coming from behind to beat the U.S., thanks to Sandro Sukno’s hat-trick in the fourth period. For the lower places Kazakhstan scored a bit surprising win over Australia, while China took the upper hand in the last quarter against Brazil.
Super Final 2012 (Men): Croatia, Italy, Spain and USA advance to semis
In the pool, only one game offered the usual excitement: the Australians challenged the Americans towards the end of the game, but the USA proved too strong. Italy and Spain both scored a rather easy victory and will face each other in the semis. Croatia had some tough moments in the first half against the hosts, but the third period was decisive – their semi final against the USA will be a mouthwatering encounter, too.
Super Final 2012 (Men): Italy and Croatia top respective groups
KAZAKHSTAN, Almaty (June 14) – The last day of the group stage was opened by a scoring festival, courtesy of Croatia, then came three thrillers offering tremendous excitements – a great way to turn into the knock-out phase. Besides Croatia, Italy clinched the top spot of their respective group after a nailbiter against the U.S. – the Americans settled for the second place here –, Spain came second in the other quartet after bouncing back from 1-4 against Australia. To the sorrow of hundreds, the locals lost their second consecutive penalty shootout, this time to China.
Super Final 2012 (Men): Croatia clinches top spot, Kazakhs lose to Italy in shootout
KAZAKHSTAN, Almaty (June 13) – Kazakhstan came back and forced the game against Italy to a penalty-shootout despite trailing 9-4 early in the third period. The heroic efforts of the hosts were wildly celebrated by the home crowd. This was the real highlight on Day 2 which saw Croatia clinching the top spot after two rounds in Group A and China causing some head-ache for the U.S. team.
Super Final 2012 (Men): China almost upsets World champion Italy
KAZAKHSTAN, Almaty (June 12) - The FINA Water Polo World League Super Final kicked off in the splendid city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. The venue of the summer’s biggest water polo showcase (besides the Olympics, of course) could not be more suitable for the occasion, the 10th anniversary of the first FINA World League Super Final: a fine outdoor pool bathing in sunshine with spectacular views of the magnificent, snow-capped mountains in the background.
The spectacular opening ceremony featured national folk-dancers to the delight of the crowd. On behalf of FINA, Bureau Member and Technical Water Polo Committee Liaison, Dimitris Diathesopoulos addressed those in the stands and at poolside. The event was officially opened by the Mayor of Almaty, Ahmedzan Esimov. The first day of action almost brought the first upset of the tournament as China challenged the Italians for the duration of the game, only to settle a narrow loss to the current World champions.
Super Final 2012 (Women): USA claims seventh World League title
CHINA, Changshu (June 3) - In an exciting final, defending champion United States rallied to beat Australia 6-4 to win their seventh title at the FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final here on Sunday while Greece edged host China 8-7 for the bronze medal.
Super Final 2012 (Women): Australia and USA will play decisive match for gold
CHINA, Changshu (June 2) - The United States moved a step closer of winning their seventh World League title after edging Greece 7-6 in the semi finals of the FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final, organised in Changshu (CHN). The North Americans will play against Australia in the decisive match of the Super Final. The Aussies trailed China for most of the other semi final game but rallied to beat the hosts 8-7. Super Final rookie Germany made history by entering the 5th-6th play-off, after they claimed victory from a thrilling penalty shootout 15-13 over Canada.
Super Final 2012 (Women): Australia, China, Greece and USA advance to semi finals
CHINA, Changshu (June 1) - Greece stunned Russia in a tight 11-9 victory and makes its way to the semi finals of the FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final. Australia, USA and host China all won their match in convincing fashion against Germany (18-0), Italy (14-2) and Canada (13-7), respectively, to reach the semi finals stage as well.
Page 1 of 6
All News
NF News
Press Releases