Eight of the world’s best teams, Australia, Croatia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia and USA will be competing in a round-robin format tournament in Ruza, Russia, from June 20-25 at the Super Final of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League 2017.
The European teams qualified over a five-month preliminary tournament and Asian, Oceania and American teams grabbed their spot at the Intercontinental Tournament in Gold Coast (AUS).
The groups’ composition for the tournament unfolds as follows:
GROUP A: USA, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Italy
GROUP B: Australia, Croatia, Japan, Russia
Serbia, World League title holders since 2013 and current Olympic and World champions are the team to beat in Ruza. Croatia is another strong contingent with the 2012 Olympic title, while gold and silver Intercontinental Tournament medallists, respectively Australia and the U.S are other teams to watch for.
Ruza’s schedule (local time)
| DAY 1 June 20 |
DAY 2 June 21 |
DAY 3 June 22 |
DAY 4 June 23 |
DAY 5 June 24 |
DAY 6 June 25 |
| 15:20 CROvsJPN 16:40 SRBvsKAZ 18:00 USAvsITA 20:15 AUSvsRUS |
16:00 USAvsKAZ 17:20 SRBvsITA 18:40 AUSvsJPN 20:00 CROvsRUS |
16:00 CROvsAUS 17:20 SRBvsUSA 18:40 KAZvsITA 20:00 JPNvsRUS |
16:00 2Avs3B 17:20 3Avs2B 18:40 1Avs4B 20:00 4Avs1B |
16:00 L13vsL16 17:20 L14vsL15 18:40 W13vsW16 20:00 W14vsW15 |
12:00 L17vsL18 13:20 W17vsW18 14:40 L19vsL20 16:00 W19vsW20 17:30 Awards Ceremony |
Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA)
The Fédération Internationale de Natation, founded in 1908, is the governing body for aquatics worldwide. FINA’s five discipline Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, Water Polo and Synchronised Swimming – are all included in the Olympic programme. High Diving made its first appearance in FINA events at the 2013 FINA World Championships. FINA counts 207 affiliated National Federations on the five continents and has its headquarters in Lausanne (SUI).
Press Release courtesy of FINA.
So much for the Russia boycott by sports . Currently running is some Fussball Cup with all the big names .Its not the World Cup but apparently prestigious .
This makes many 2016 Twitter rants look a bit off . Lucky delet buttons exist .