2025 World Championships – Water Polo
- July 11-24, 2025
- OSBC Aquatic Centre, Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore
- Tournament Central
- 2024 Olympic Champions: Spain (women), Serbia (men)
- 2024 World Champions: United States (women), Croatia (men)
- 2025 World Cup Champions: Greece (women), Spain (men)
The men’s Water Polo World Championship tournament trekked on in Singapore today, highlighted by a thrilling game between #5 Serbia and #7 Italy. Serbia, the reigning Olympic Champions, trailed Italy 13-12 with six seconds remaining. After a timeout, Serbia’s Vasilije Martinovic scored a final goal to bring the game to a tie. This resulted in a penalty shootout won by the Italians 4-3. Giacomo Canella sealed the deal for his team by scoring the last penalty shootout, putting his country at #1 in Group A standings. The final score was 17-16.
#1 Croatia and #6 United States have the clearest pathways to quarterfinal berths, as they are both the only 2-0 teams in their respective groups. Croatia squeezed out another win against Balkan rival #8 Montenegro. The teams held an even 5-5 score at halftime, but Croatia turned up the heat in the second half to win 13-11.
After bypassing Canada on the first day, The U.S. reaffirmed its position as the strongest team in the Americas by beating Brazil 16-7. Ryder Dodd, the 19-year-old UCLA athlete on his third senior world championship team, was named Player of the Match. Canada, meanwhile, earned a decisive 22-10 victory against Singapore. Canada and Brazil now tie for #2 in Group C standings with one win each. They stand behind the Olympic bronze medalist Americans. Canada and Brazil will play each other on Wednesday.
Montenegro and #4 Greece are in the same position as Canada and Brazil in terms of group standings. They each have one win, Greece earning theirs today against China 26-5, and face off on the next day of competition.
Hungary and Spain, both members of Group B, have two wins each. Today, Spain toppled Australia 10-7, and the Hungarians fended off Japan in a 23-18 encounter. After being sat out of the first game, Spanish veteran Felipe Perrone was back in action and scored a point. However, it was Spain’s Roger Tahull who got the Player of the Match. On July 16, Spain and Hungary will face off for the top ranking in their group as well as a guaranteed quarterfinal spot.
Finally, Romania secured its first win of the tournament. They handily defeated South Africa, scoring all of the first eight goals of the game. The final score was 24-5.
Group Standings Through 7/12 (Points)
Group A
#1 Italy — 5
#2 Serbia — 4
#3 Romania — 3
#4 South Africa — 0
Group B
#1 Hungary — 6
#1 Spain — 6
#3 Japan — 0
#3 Australia — 0
Group C
#1 United States — 6
#2 Brazil — 3
#2 Canada — 3
#4 Singapore — 0
Group D
#1 Croatia — 6
#2 Montenegro — 3
#2 Greece — 3
#4 China — 0
Group C with 3 Americas team seems very soft. Groups A and C has 3 Europeans teams, what’s with the draw rules?
World Aq should look at how FIBA splits up Euro, Asia and Americas team together with world rankings