Water Polo at the 2024 Paris Olympics
The Underwater Combat Sport
Water Polo is one of those Olympic team sports where the action starts on Day one and then runs through the entire Games. A total of 22 teams (12 men, 10 women) are ready to battle it out for pool supremacy
The Basics
Two teams of seven players face off in a 3m deep pool, the dimensions of which are not fixed and can vary between 20×10 and 30×20 meters. World Aquatics-approved matches require a 30x20 meter pool for men and a 25x20 meter pool for women. Matches consist of four eight-minute quarters. Other than the goalkeeper, players may only hold the ball with one hand. Possession lasts 30 seconds; if the team does not attempt a shot within that time, possession passes to the opposition and the shot clock is reset.
Water polo is an intensely physical sport; contact is permitted with players possessing the ball. Strength, endurance, power and strategy are therefore essential.
The Format
The men’s tournament features 12 teams. They are placed into 2 groups of 6. After a round-robin, the top 4 teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals. From there it is a single elimination bracket. The women’s tournament has just 10 teams. They are placed into 2 groups of 5. After a round-robin, the top 4 teams in each group move on to the quarterfinals, with just 2 teams eliminated. After that it’s also an 8-team single elimination bracket.
What Countries are Historically Dominant?
Here are all the top-4 finishers since 2008 along with their record:
MEN (W/D/L)
#1 Serbia (22-3-7) (3rd in 2008, 3rd in 2012, 1st in 2016, 1st in 2021)
#2 Croatia (22-0-9) (1st in 2012, 3rd in 2016)
#3 Hungary (20-5-6) (1st in 2008, 3rd in 2021)
#4 Italy (18-3-11) (2nd in 2012, 3rd in 2016)
#5 Greece (14-4-11) (2nd in 2021)
#6 United States (13-0-14) (2nd in 2008)
#7 Montenegro (12-4-15) (4th in 2008, 4th in 2012, 4th in 2016)
#8 Spain (18-1-11) (4th in 2021)
WOMEN (W/D/L)
#1 United States (20-2-2) (2nd in 2008, 1st in 2012, 1st in 2016, 1st in 2021)
#2 Spain (13-1-5) (2nd in 2012, 2nd in 2021)
#3 Netherlands (8-0-5) (1st in 2008)
#4 Hungary (10-2-12) (4th in 2008, 4th in 2012, 4th in 2016, 3rd in 2021)
#5 Italy (9-1-7) (2nd in 2016)
#6 Australia (17-1-7) (3rd in 2008, 3rd in 2012)
#7 Russia (10-1-12) (3rd in 2016, 4th in 2021)
Who is Participating This Year?
Here are the teams in each tournament sorted by FINA World Rankings
MEN
#1 Spain
#2 Hungary
#3 Greece
#4 Serbia
#5 Italy
#6 Croatia
#7 Montenegro
#8 United States
#9 Australia
#10 Japan
#11 France
#17 Romania
WOMEN
#1 Spain
#2 Netherlands
#3 United States
#4 Hungary
#5 Italy
#6 Australia
#7 Greece
#8 Canada
#10 France
#12 China
Schedule
July 27th: Women’s Group Stage (4 matches)
July 28th: Men’s Group Stage (6 matches)
July 29th: Women’s Group Stage (4 matches)
July 30th: Men’s Group Stage (6 matches)
July 31st: Women’s Group Stage (4 matches)
August 1st: Men’s Group Stage (6 matches)
August 2nd: Women’s Group Stage (4 matches)
August 3rd: Men’s Group Stage (6 matches)
August 4th: Women’s Group Stage concludes (4 matches)
August 5th: Men’s Group Stage concludes (6 matches)
August 6th: Women’s quarterfinals (4 matches)
August 7th: Men’s quarterfinals (4 matches)
August 8th: Women’s semifinals
August 9th: Men’s semifinals
August 10th: Women’s Final + 3rd Place Match
August 11th: Men’s Final + 3rd Place Match (second to last gold medal of the entire Olympics)