Before we jump right into 2022, here’s a bit about the experts FINA polled for this exercise in insight – not that any one of them needs much of an introduction in and around the world of water polo. 

Tania Di Mario: A five-time FINA World Championships competitor and four-time Olympian, the Rome-native won gold with her Italian teammates at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics and silver in Rio de Janeiro. Affectionately known as Setterosa, Di Mario tops the all-time scoring charts in the history of Olympic women's water polo with her 47 goals. 

Bronwyn Smith: The Australian water poloist helped lead her squad to gold at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. Competing at home, Smith was super-clutch, scoring goals in both the semifinals and in the Olympic final where the Aussies topped Team USA 4-3 with an unbelievable last-second goal to take the gold.

Water Polo Experts Tell All: Preseason picks before the start of the FINA Women's Water Polo World League

Fill in the blank: this year's FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final champion will be ____________. 

Di Mario: USA.

Smith: Hungary. With the win against the USA in Tokyo their confidence will be high and they could be ready to take out the Super League Final.

Which team that has had a difficult and disappointing 2021 do you expect to rebound in 2022? 

Di Mario: I believe and hope it will be Italy. The non-qualification was terrible but the change it has brought and the work that the staff and the girls are doing will certainly give evident results.

Smith: I think Australia had a tough 2021 as they did not have any international competition prior to the Tokyo Olympics for 18 months. The Netherlands also had a tough 2021 and could rebound well this year, with some excellent young shooters in their team.

TRUE or FALSE: Hungary - the team that beat the USA in the group at the Olympics and finished second in last year's superfinal - are the team best placed to deny the Americans an eighth consecutive Superfinal title. 

Di Mario:  FALSE. The post-Olympic year is always characterized by great changes, and it is difficult to compare two teams at a distance over an entire season. Hungary by history and tradition is one of the strongest national teams ever, but I like to think that it will not be the only one to be able of beating the USA team, it would be nice to see a tournament with many surprises. 

Smith: TRUE.

Name that rivalry: _____vs _____ is consistently the best duel in women's water polo today.

Di Mario: Italy vs Hungary. I don't know if it's consistently the best but for me, it has a special charm. 

Smith: Australia vs USA. I think that the USA is always nervous to play Australia and it is always a good duel.

Which young player will have the biggest success this year?

Di Mario: Two names: Elena Ruiz of Spain and Maria Myriokefalitaki of Greece. 

SmithElena Ruiz (Spain) and Abby Andrews (Australia) both did well in Tokyo and will build in confidence and experience this year.

Name that team: ________ is ready to go from dark horse executor to the best contender. 

Di Mario: China.

Smith: Netherlands. The Netherlands had some very close games and strong performances in Tokyo and could and should upset some teams this year.

Complete this sentence: Does the FINA Women's Water Polo Super League Player of the Year award go to ___________.

Di Mario: Maddie Musselman (USA)

Smith: Rebecca Parkes (Hungary) 

Must Watch Alert: With the European qualifiers for the FINA Women’s Water Polo World League getting underway on Tuesday, which matchup are you most interested to see?

Di Mario: I hope to be able to watch them both ... now more than ever I am hungry for international water polo. I will cheer a lot, but only for one of course!

Smith: I think Russia vs Italy will be an interesting game in the first round.

Bonus Question! Bronwyn 's Pick ‘Em: FINA Women’s Water Polo World League European Qualification 2022 – January 25th Games

EXPERT

 RUS v ITA

GRE v HUN

Bronwyn Smith

Russia

Hungary