United States of America created history for women’s water polo, winning three straight Olympic crowns, getting the better of Spain 14-5. The owner of all the major silverware, USA crafted the victory with a 4-1 opening quarter and kept Spain scoreless in the fourth to set up the incredible, history-making margin. Spain gets a second Olympic silver after losing to USA at London 2012.
Final Classifications
1. United States of America
2. Spain
3. Hungary
4. Russian Olympic Committee
5. Australia
6. Netherlands
7. Canada
8. China
9. Japan
10. South Africa
Media All-Star Team:
Ashleigh Johnson (USA) — Goalkeeper
Rebecca Parkes (HUN) — Centre Forward
Anna Espar (ESP)
Maddie Musselman (USA)
Bea Ortiz (ESP
Ekaterina Prokofyeva (ROC)
Simone van der Kraats (NED)
Most Valuable Player
Maddie Musselman (USA)
Highest Goal Scorer
Simone van der Kraats (NED) — 28 goals
United States of America etched its name in water polo history with a third straight Olympic women’s crown, defeating European champion Spain by an incredible 14-5.
Team captain Maggie Steffens and Mel Seidemann became triple Olympic champions into the bargain.
It was a repeat of the London 2012 result, when it also beat Spain — 8-5 on that occasion. At Rio 2016, its protagonist was Italy, a non-qualifier for Tokyo 2020.
The three golds follow silver in 2000, bronze in 2004 and silver in 2008, thus creating a further record of winning a medal at every Olympic Games.
Throw in Steffens, who was named MVP at the past two Olympic Games, creating her record and improving it with each match as the highest goal-scorer in history. She entered the final with 17 goals for 55 goals at her three Olympic Games. Today, she moved that score to 56. And what about the final score? It was the biggest winning margin for a women’s final and definitely puts an exclamation mark on a team effort that looked a little shaky earlier in the tournament when Hungary beat it 10-9.
It was a big step up for Spain from Rio 2016 where it beat Australia into fifth place. Australia beat Netherlands 14-7 for the same position earlier in the day.
USA looked like it was enjoying the occasion, even without the normally huge crowd. By taking a 4-1 first-quarter lead, the intention was strong and the message was like air mail with a rocket attached.
Spain was a match in the second quarter, but the old adage that water polo matches are won and lost in the third quarter proved true with USA blocking Spain 5-0 for an unapproachable 12-4 scoreline. This cemented USA’s legacy, joining Hungary men as triple champions of the 21st Century. Great Britain achieved it in the early part of the 20th Century at a time when women’s water polo was played in pockets around the world.
Spain was subdued on the bench while the fire and passion was still evident in the pool. The USA bench was animated and found it hard to stay seated with many goals being cheered on. By now, eight players had made the sheet, showing how well Adam Krikorian has the team balanced. Nine made the scoring sheet with Maddie Musselman topping with three.
Just two USA goals came in the last quarter, by Musselman for her third and 18th goal in Tokyo, earning her Most Valuable Player in the tournament, as voted by the media. The last USA goal of the women’s tournament fittingly went to Seidemann who thoroughly enjoyed the moment. Elena Ruiz closed the tournament's scoring with Spain's last throw of thye dice two minutes from time.
The eight from 10 on extra-man attack was a splendid result in any match, let along the gold-medal final. Spain could manage only two from 13.
USA is the only country to win Olympic, World, World Cup and World League crowns.
Spain now has seven major medals — two Olympic silvers; World Championships gold and two silvers; World Cup bronze and one World League silver.
Match 32, 18:50, SPAIN 5 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 14
Classification 1-2
Quarters: 1-4, 3-3, 0-5, 1-2.
Referees: Nenad Peris (CRO), Sebastien Dervieux (FRA).
Shots: ESP: 5/32. USA: 14/26
Extra Man: ESP: 2/13. USA: 8/10.
Pens: USA: 1/1.
FLASH QUOTES
Adam Krikorian (USA) — Head Coach
On what keeps the USA team winning: "I don't know. Other than (they're) fierce, competitive athletes who are so hungry for more, no matter how much success they've had. They're unwavering in their approach. Obviously, when you've had success before it gives you some confidence going into a game like this. We've talked a lot about the fine line between confidence and complacency. But we've done a fantastic job of just staying focused through this process and it's amazing."
Margaret Steffens (USA) — Captain and Third Gold
On winning three consecutive gold medals at the Olympic Games: "I have the chills right now. I don't think it's fully sunk in yet. I'm just proud of this moment. One thing we focused on through this whole tournament is just to enjoy the moment as much as possible and that's what I'm doing right now. I'm just really happy." On the match: "It wasn't just one player. It wasn't two players. You look up on there and we had different people getting blocks, different people getting huge goals here, different people guarding and to see such a full team at the end of this just makes me feel really proud to be a part of it."
Madeline Musselman (USA) — Tournament MVP
"We're having fun out there and I think you could see that today. Everyone brought their best when their best was needed and it showed in all four quarters."
Anna Espar (ESP) — Media All Star Team Member
On her feelings after losing the gold-medal match: "Destroyed. I really wanted this gold and I can only say congratulations to the USA. They played an amazing game. I'm really proud of my team and what we have achieved and I'm only thinking of Paris (2024)." On what helped USA to win the match: "They played pretty good offence, blocking the shots and making everything difficult." On the sacrifices she made to get to this tournament: "It's not sacrifice, I like this job. I like training and playing with my team-mates. It's hard work, yes, but it's not sacrifice if you're enjoying every moment of it."