2023 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup

The 2023 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup was the 18th edition of the tournament. It ran from 11 April to 25 June 2023.[1] The Super final took place between 23 and 25 June 2023 in Long Beach, United States.[2]

2023 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup
LeagueFINA Women's Water Polo World Cup
SportWater polo
Duration11 April – 25 June
Super Final
Finals champions United States
  Runners-up Netherlands
FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup seasons
2024 →

From this year on, the tournament was replacing the FINA Water Polo World League.[3]

The United States won their fourth straight and fifth overall title after defeating the Netherlands in the final.[4]

Format

There were two divisions. In Division 1, the top eight teams from the World Championships played. They played a round-robin in April, at pre-selected venues. All other teams could sign up in Division 2, in which each continent hosted a qualification tournament. The top two teams from the tournaments played in an intercontinental tournament. The top-six teams of Division 1 and the top-two teams from Division 2 competed in the super final, held between 23 and 25 June 2023.[5][6] At the end of the tournament, the last-ranked team was relegated to Division 2 and the winner of Division 2 moved to Division 1 for the following year. A win gave a team three points, a win after penalties two, a loss after penalites one and a loss after regular time zero points.[7]

Division 1

The draw was held on 1 December 2022.[8] The first tournament was played from 11 to 13 April in Rotterdam, Netherlands and the second tournament between 19 and 21 April 2023 in Athens, Greece.[6] The top four teams from the first tournament qualified for the super final but participated in the second tournament as well, where the last two spots were played out.[2]

Round 1

The top-two teams from both groups qualified for the super final. All teams participated in the second tournament.

All times are local (UTC+2).

Group A

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1  Netherlands (H)330003728+99Super final
2  Hungary320014235+76
3  Greece310023235−33
4  Australia300032538−130
Source: World Aquatics
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) head-to-head result.
(H) Host
11 April 2023
18:30
ReportAustralia  7–11  NetherlandsRotterdam
Referees:
Pau Segurana (ESP), Jennifer McCall (USA)
Score by quarters: 2–1, 2–4, 2–2, 1–4
C. Andrews, Williams 2GoalsSleeking 3
11 April 2023
20:30
ReportGreece  12–14  HungaryRotterdam
Referees:
Alessia Ferrari (ITA), Matan Schwartz (ISR)
Score by quarters: 4–2, 4–3, 2–6, 2–3
Eleftheriadou 4GoalsKeszthelyi 6

12 April 2023
18:30
ReportNetherlands  14–10  GreeceRotterdam
Referees:
Hendrik Schopp (GER), Zhang Liang (CHN)
Score by quarters: 3–0, 4–1, 5–4, 2–5
Van de Kraats 4Goalsthree players 2
12 April 2023
20:30
ReportHungary  17–11  AustraliaRotterdam
Referees:
Alessia Ferrari (ITA), Pau Segurana (ESP)
Score by quarters: 6–2, 2–4, 5–1, 4–4
Szilágyi 4Goalsfour players 2

13 April 2023
14:00
ReportGreece  10–7  AustraliaRotterdam
Referees:
Alessia Ferrari (ITA), Zhang Liang (CHN)
Score by quarters: 3–4, 1–0, 4–2, 2–1
Eleftheriadou 3GoalsA. Andrews 2
13 April 2023
18:30
ReportNetherlands  12–11  HungaryRotterdam
Referees:
Jennifer McCall (USA), Pau Segurana (ESP)
Score by quarters: 2–2, 4–2, 3–4, 3–3
L. Rogge 5GoalsParkes 3

Group B

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1  United States320103830+87Super final
2  Italy320014036+46
3  Spain311013632+45
4  China300032541−160
Source: World Aquatics
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) head-to-head result.
11 April 2023
14:00
ReportSpain  17–15  United StatesRotterdam
Referees:
Nóra Debreceni (HUN), Hendrik Schopp (GER)
Score by quarters: 2–2, 3–4, 4–5, 3–1  PSO: 5–3
Forca, Ortiz 4GoalsRaney 3
11 April 2023
16:00
ReportItaly  14–13  ChinaRotterdam
Referees:
Peter de Jong (NED), Alexandros Chatzigoulas (GRE)
Score by quarters: 2–4, 3–2, 5–3, 4–4
Avegno 6GoalsZhang J. 4

12 April 2023
14:00
ReportSpain  9–13  ItalyRotterdam
Referees:
Alexandros Chatzigoulas (GRE), Matan Schwartz (ISR)
Score by quarters: 3–2, 2–4, 3–3, 1–4
Ruiz 3GoalsMarletta 4
12 April 2023
16:00
ReportUnited States  12–5  ChinaRotterdam
Referees:
Fiona Haigh (AUS), Peter de Jong (NED)
Score by quarters: 3–1, 2–2, 4–1, 3–1
Bonaguidi, Musselman 3GoalsYan S. 3

13 April 2023
16:00
ReportSpain  15–7  ChinaRotterdam
Referees:
Nóra Debreceni (NED), Alexandros Chatzigoulas (GRE)
Score by quarters: 2–1, 3–4, 6–1, 4–1
Ortiz 4GoalsYan S. 4
13 April 2023
20:30
ReportUnited States  14–13  ItalyRotterdam
Referees:
Matan Schwartz (ISR), Hendrik Schopp (GER)
Score by quarters: 5–1, 3–6, 4–3, 2–3
Musselman, Steffens 5GoalsPicozzi 4

Round 2

All teams from Group 1 were already qualified and played for seeding for the super final. The top-two placed teams from Group 2 qualified for the super final. All results from the first round were taken over.

All times are local (UTC+3).

Group 1

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPts
1  Netherlands650017358+1515
2  United States640116653+1313
3  Hungary640027559+1612
4  Italy620045975−166
Source: World Aquatics
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) head-to-head result.
19 April 2023
16:00
ReportNetherlands  16–10  ItalyAthens
Referees:
Marta Cabañas (ESP), Fiona Haigh (AUS)
Score by quarters: 4–2, 5–2, 4–3, 3–3
Van de Kraats, L. Rogge 4GoalsBettini 3
19 April 2023
20:00
ReportUnited States  10–8  HungaryAthens
Referees:
Boris Margeta (SLO), Natalia Markopoulou (GRE)
Score by quarters: 3–2, 2–1, 2–3, 3–2
four players 2GoalsGurisatti 3

20 April 2023
16:00
ReportNetherlands  11–12  HungaryAthens
Referees:
Aurélie Blanchard (FRA), Natalia Markopoulou (GRE)
Score by quarters: 4–5, 3–3, 2–2, 2–2
Sleeking 4GoalsSzilágyi 4
20 April 2023
20:00
ReportUnited States  10–6  ItalyAthens
Referees:
Zhang Liang (CHN), Fiona Haigh (AUS)
Score by quarters: 2–1, 1–2, 6–2, 1–1
Raney 5GoalsMarletta 3

21 April 2023
16:00
ReportUnited States  8–9  NetherlandsAthens
Referees:
Fiona Haigh (AUS), Natalia Markopoulou (GRE)
Score by quarters: 2–3, 2–4, 3–2, 1–0
Bonaguidi, Musselman 3GoalsB. Rogge 3
21 April 2023
20:00
ReportItaly  3–13  HungaryAthens
Referees:
Marta Cabañas (ESP), Aurélie Blanchard (FRA)
Score by quarters: 1–4, 1–6, 0–1, 1–2
three players 1GoalsHajdú 3

Group 2

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualification or relegation
1  Spain632017564+1113Super final
2  Greece (H)620227374−18
3  Australia611046069−95
4  China600065483−290Division 2
Source: World Aquatics
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) head-to-head result.
(H) Host
19 April 2023
14:00
ReportSpain  9–8  AustraliaAthens
Referees:
Giuliana Nicolosi (ITA), Diana Dutilh (NED)
Score by quarters: 3–1, 2–4, 3–2, 1–1
Ortiz 5Goalsthree players 2
19 April 2023
18:00
ReportGreece  13–11  ChinaAthens
Referees:
Aurélie Blanchard (FRA), Gabriella Várkonyi (HUN)
Score by quarters: 2–4, 2–3, 5–2, 4–2
Eleftheriadou 5Goalsthree players 2

20 April 2023
14:00
ReportSpain  17–11  ChinaAthens
Referees:
Jennifer McCall (USA), Giuliana Nicolosi (ITA)
Score by quarters: 4–1, 4–4, 4–2, 5–4
Ruiz 5GoalsWang H. 3
20 April 2023
18:00
ReportGreece  18–19  AustraliaAthens
Referees:
Boris Margeta (SLO), Gabriella Várkonyi (HUN)
Score by quarters: 4–4, 7–5, 1–4, 3–2  PSO: 3–4
Ninou 6GoalsHalligan 4

21 April 2023
14:00
ReportChina  7–12  AustraliaAthens
Referees:
Diana Dutilh (NED), Jennifer McCall (USA)
Score by quarters: 2–2, 3–4, 2–2, 0–4
Zhang J. 4GoalsA. Andrews, Ridge 3
21 April 2023
18:00
ReportSpain  18–17  GreeceAthens
Referees:
Zhang Liang (CHN), Boris Margeta (SLO)
Score by quarters: 3–4, 5–4, 1–1, 4–4  PSO: 5–4
Ortiz 4GoalsNinou 4

Division 2

The draw was held on 13 April 2023.[9] The tournament took place in Berlin, Germany between 2 and 4 May 2023.[2]

All times are local (UTC+2).

Group A

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1  Israel330007016+549Crossover
2  South Africa320013835+36
3  Uzbekistan310022644−183
4  Ukraine300031756−390
Source: World Aquatics
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) head-to-head result.
2 May 2023
08:30
ReportSouth Africa  7–22  IsraelBerlin
Referees:
Hendrik Schopp (GER), Adil Aimbetov (KAZ)
Score by quarters: 1–4, 4–4, 2–6, 0–8
Versfeld 4GoalsLevi, Rahum 4
2 May 2023
10:00
ReportUzbekistan  11–10  UkraineBerlin
Referees:
Ursula Wengenroth (SUI), John Waldow (NZL)
Score by quarters: 3–3, 1–2, 5–4, 2–1
Pulatova 5GoalsAboimova 3
2 May 2023
16:00
ReportSouth Africa  19–5  UkraineBerlin
Referees:
Adil Aimbetov (KAZ), John Waldow (NZL)
Score by quarters: 6–0, 4–0, 7–2, 2–3
Versfeld 4GoalsAboimova 2
2 May 2023
17:30
ReportUzbekistan  7–22  IsraelBerlin
Referees:
Maxim Gerasimov (GBR), Sander Gransjean (NED)
Score by quarters: 2–6, 3–5, 1–5, 1–6
Sayfiddinova 3GoalsStrugo 6

3 May 2023
14:00
ReportUzbekistan  8–12  South AfricaBerlin
Referees:
Hendrik Schopp (GER), Maxim Gerasimov (GBR)
Score by quarters: 2–6, 2–1, 0–3, 4–4
Sayfiddinova 5GoalsMeecham, Versfeld 4
3 May 2023
15:45
ReportUkraine  2–26  IsraelBerlin
Referees:
Adil Aimbetov (KAZ), John Waldow (NZL)
Score by quarters: 0–9, 0–5, 2–8, 0–4
Belinska, Danylina 1GoalsStrugo 7

Group B

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1  New Zealand330005021+299Crossover
2  Kazakhstan320013429+56
3  Germany (H)310022835−73
4  Great Britain300032653−270
Source: World Aquatics
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) head-to-head result.
(H) Host
2 May 2023
11:30
ReportNew Zealand  23–7  Great BritainBerlin
Referees:
Viktoriya Markova (UZB), George Makharadze (UKR)
Score by quarters: 7–0, 4–1, 7–3, 5–3
Houghton 6GoalsClapperton 4
2 May 2023
13:00
ReportKazakhstan  11–7  GermanyBerlin
Referees:
Dasch Barber (RSA), Sander Gransjean (NED)
Score by quarters: 4–5, 3–0, 3–2, 1–0
Khritankova, Tsoy 3GoalsDeike 4
2 May 2023
19:00
ReportKazakhstan  15–7  Great BritainBerlin
Referees:
Tal Shildan (ISR), Dasch Barber (RSA)
Score by quarters: 2–2, 5–1, 5–2, 3–2
Pochinok 5GoalsClapperton 4
2 May 2023
20:30
ReportNew Zealand  12–6  GermanyBerlin
Referees:
Ursula Wengenroth (SUI), George Makharadze (UKR)
Score by quarters: 3–2, 4–0, 1–3, 4–1
Doyle 4GoalsKrukenberg 3

3 May 2023
17:30
ReportKazakhstan  8–15  New ZealandBerlin
Referees:
Ursula Wengenroth (SUI), Sander Gransjean (NED)
Score by quarters: 2–2, 2–4, 1–4, 3–5
three players 2GoalsMcDowall 5
3 May 2023
19:15
ReportGermany  15–12  Great BritainBerlin
Referees:
Tal Shildan (ISR), George Makharadze (UKR)
Score by quarters: 3–3, 4–3, 3–2, 5–4
Deike 4GoalsClapperton 6

Classification games

4 May 2023
14:00
ReportGreat Britain  10–4  UkraineBerlin
Referees:
Viktoriya Markova (UZB), Dasch Barber (RSA)
Score by quarters: 3–1, 2–1, 1–2, 4–0
Nurthen, Rogers 4GoalsZelenko 2

4 May 2023
17:30
ReportGermany  15–8  UzbekistanBerlin
Referees:
Maxim Gerasimov (GBR), Tal Shildan (ISR)
Score by quarters: 2–2, 2–1, 5–2, 6–3
Deike 4GoalsSayfiddinova 4

Crossover

The winners qualified for the super final.

4 May 2023
15:45
ReportIsrael  19–8  KazakhstanBerlin
Referees:
Hendrik Schopp (GER), George Makharadze (UKR)
Score by quarters: 3–1, 4–2, 6–2, 6–3
Bogachenko 5GoalsKhritankova 4

4 May 2023
19:15
ReportNew Zealand  16–3  South AfricaBerlin
Referees:
Sander Gransjean (NED), Adil Aimbetov (KAZ)
Score by quarters: 2–0, 4–1, 6–0, 4–2
Houghton 4GoalsPenney 2

Super final

2023 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup
Tournament details
Host country  United States
Venue(s)1 (in 1 host city)
Dates23–25 June
Teams8 (from 3 confederations)
Final positions
Champions  United States (5th title)
Runner-up  Netherlands
Third place  Spain
Fourth place  Hungary
Tournament statistics
Matches played12
Goals scored293 (24.42 per match)
Best player Anni Espar
Best goalkeeper Amanda Longan

The tournament took place at the Long Beach City College in Long Beach, United States between 23 and 25 June 2023.[2] The quarterfinal matchups were announced on 7 May 2023.[10]

Bracket

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
23 June
 
 
 New Zealand5
 
24 June
 
 Netherlands15
 
 Netherlands12
 
23 June
 
 Spain8
 
 Spain12
 
25 June
 
 Italy5
 
 Netherlands11
 
23 June
 
 United States12
 
 United States16
 
24 June
 
 Israel6
 
 United States16
 
23 June
 
 Hungary10Third place
 
 Hungary20
 
25 June
 
 Greece13
 
 Spain18
 
 
 Hungary15
 

Fifth place bracket

 
5–8th place semifinalsFifth place
 
      
 
24 June
 
 
 New Zealand7
 
25 June
 
 Italy17
 
 Italy9
 
24 June
 
 Greece10
 
 Israel11
 
 
 Greece22
 
Seventh place
 
 
25 June
 
 
 New Zealand11
 
 
 Israel12

All times are local (UTC−7).

Quarterfinals

23 June 2023
13:00
ReportHungary  20–13  GreeceLong Beach
Referees:
Danielle Dabbaghian (USA), Fiona Haigh (AUS)
Score by quarters: 6–2, 6–4, 3–2, 5–5
Keszthelyi 6Goalsthree players 3

23 June 2023
15:00
ReportSpain  12–5  ItalyLong Beach
Referees:
Gabriella Várkonyi (HUN), Diana Dutilh (NED)
Score by quarters: 2–2, 4–2, 4–1, 2–0
E. Ruiz 4GoalsGiustini 2

23 June 2023
17:00
ReportUnited States  16–6  IsraelLong Beach
Referees:
Maria Daskalopoulou (GRE), Asumi Tsuzaki (JPN)
Score by quarters: 5–0, 4–3, 3–0, 4–3
Flynn 3GoalsBogachenko 2

23 June 2023
19:00
ReportNew Zealand  5–15  NetherlandsLong Beach
Referees:
Jaume Teixidó (ESP), Giuliana Nicolosi (ITA)
Score by quarters: 1–2, 1–4, 0–6, 3–3
Houghton 3GoalsVan de Kraats, Sleeking 3

5–8th place semifinals

24 June 2023
13:00
ReportIsrael  11–22  GreeceLong Beach
Referees:
Megan Perry (NZL), Jaume Teixidó (ESP)
Score by quarters: 2–4, 2–5, 4–7, 3–6
three players 2GoalsNinou 4

24 June 2023
15:00
ReportNew Zealand  7–17  ItalyLong Beach
Referees:
Diana Dutilh (NED), Gabriella Várkonyi (HUN)
Score by quarters: 3–6, 4–6, 0–4, 0–1
Doyle 3GoalsAvegno 6

Semifinals

24 June 2023
17:00
ReportUnited States  16–10  HungaryLong Beach
Referees:
Fiona Haigh (AUS), Giuliana Nicolosi (ITA)
Score by quarters: 3–4, 4–2, 4–2, 5–2
Flynn, Musselman 3GoalsGarda 4

24 June 2023
19:00
ReportNetherlands  12–8  SpainLong Beach
Referees:
Maria Daskalopoulou (GRE), Tal Shildan (ISR)
Score by quarters: 1–2, 4–2, 4–2, 3–2
L. Rogge 4Goalsthree players 2

Seventh place game

25 June 2023
13:00
ReportNew Zealand  11–12  IsraelLong Beach
Referees:
Asumi Tsuzaki (JPN), Danielle Dabbaghian (USA)
Score by quarters: 4–4, 2–4, 3–3, 2–1
Houghton 4GoalsYaacobi 5

Fifth place game

25 June 2023
15:00
ReportItaly  9–10  GreeceLong Beach
Referees:
Diana Dutilh (NED), Megan Perry (NZL)
Score by quarters: 3–3, 3–1, 1–3, 2–3
Marletta 3GoalsXenaki 4

Bronze medal game

25 June 2023
17:00
ReportSpain  18–15  HungaryLong Beach
Referees:
Tal Shildan (ISR), Giuliana Nicolosi (ITA)
Score by quarters: 5–4, 6–5, 4–2, 3–4
Espar 5GoalsGarda 6

Gold medal game

25 June 2023
19:00
ReportNetherlands  11–12  United StatesLong Beach
Referees:
Gabriella Várkonyi (HUN), Jaume Teixidó (ESP)
Score by quarters: 2–5, 1–2, 4–3, 4–2
Keuning, Van de Kraats 3GoalsSteffens 3

Final standings

 2023 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup 

United States
Fifth title

See also

References