Gold Coast, Australia (April 25).— Six nations go head to head in the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League Intercontinental Tournament from today with the ultimate prize a berth at the June Super Final in Russia.
Last year’s silver medallist United States of America headlines the six-day event in the same pool that will next year host the Commonwealth Games swimming.
Australia (fifth last year), Japan (sixth) and China (eighth) are others hoping for a return to the Super Final in Ruza on June 20-25.
Completing the roster are Kazakhstan and New Zealand.
Champion Serbia, Croatia and Italy have already qualified from Europe and will join host Russia in the Super Final.
USA, Australia and Japan competed at the Rio Olympic Games with Japan retaining six members while USA and Australia will front with just two each in new-look squads that reflect players’ availabilities and the need to infuse new talent into teams ahead of Tokyo 2020.
April 25 is a special day for Australia and New Zealand war veterans and is known as ANZAC Day, a national public holiday.
The first match will be played between the two countries and will follow a short memorial service poolside. The second match is between Japan and USA with the third China v Kazakhstan.