World Championship water polo has arrived in Israel for the first time as 16 teams — including three newcomers — will play for the FINA World Women’s Junior Water Polo Championships in the coming seven days. Back-to-back champion Russia heads the field that includes former champions Netherlands, Greece and Italy.
Israel, Argentina and Peru are at the forefront of the expansion of junior women’s water polo when the FINA World Women’s Junior Water Polo Championships begin in Netanya, Israel on Sunday.
The trio will contest the biennial 20 & under event for the first time and play alongside the likes of champions Russia, Greece, Netherlands and Spain.
Slovakia, France and Serbia will be making their second appearances, further advancing the cause of women’s water polo in general.
All matches are streamed on our website and You Tube channel.
Russia spearheads an unusual line-up in these Covid-19 times with the newcomers and other leading lights, although the tournament will be diminished somewhat with the non-attendance of four-time champion United States of America (also a silver and three bronzes); dual champion Australia (also three silvers and two bronzes); 2003 champion Canada (also (two silvers); 2007 silver medallist China and perennial attendee New Zealand (Covid restrictions).
USA is suffering from Covid woes and collegiate commitments while Australia has closed its international borders and demands two weeks’ quarantine on returning passengers for those lucky enough to be allowed to depart its shore.
Going on recent form, the medallists from the last two events — Russia, Netherlands, Greece and Italy are fronting to further their international claims.
However, it is Russia who has dominated the junior competition, winning the last two editions in Funchal, Portugal and Volos, Greece. In the last 11 world championships, Russia has finished outside the semifinals in just one edition — ninth in 2007. Its first crown came in 2009 at home in Khanty-Mansiysk, beating Netherlands.
The Dutch can also lay claim to favouritism, losing to Russia two years ago and finishing third in 2017 when it defeated Spain for the bronze. Its sole title was back in 1995 when it tipped out Australia 9-7 in the inaugural event in Ste Foy, Canada.
Greece, fourth in 2019 and second in 2017, won the second edition in 1997 in Prague, Czech Republic. A bronze came in 2013.
Spain, winner in 2011 and then losing the next two finals to United States of America, was fourth in 2017 and fifth in 2019. It will be looking to at least emulate its senior team that took silver at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
With the junior royalty looking ominous, the groups look interesting with Greece and Italy heading Group A; Netherlands and Spain dominating Group B; an untested quartet in Group C — Israel, Argentina, Serbia and Peru— and Russia and Hungary the major forces in Group D.
Group C’s contenders will prove most interesting as Serbia finished 12th in 2017, its only appearance.
The seven-day tournament kicks off with eight matches a day to decide the rounds, followed by the preliminary round when the group winners have a rest, followed by the quarterfinals, the semifinals and the play-offs for the top-eight positions on Sunday week.
Eye-catching Sunday matches from 9am local time include a possible group decider first up — Italy-Greece — and Russia-Brazil in the evening.
Groups:
A: Greece, Slovakia, Italy, Germany.
B: South Africa, France, Netherlands, Spain.
C: Israel, Argentina, Serbia, Peru.
D: Brazil, Hungary, Russia, Uzbekistan.