Olympic Water Polo – Best of Coaches Reactions

The below video is courtesy of FINA’s youtube channel.

Take a look at FINA’s compilation of the best coaches reactions from the Olympic water polo tournament, with emotions ranging “from absolute desperation to completely overjoyed”.

On the men’s side, Serbia came away with the gold medal after a satisfactory 2-2-1 record in group play, advancing them to the Knockout Stage by just 1 point over Australia. Once there, they defeated Spain, Italy and Croatia on their way to the gold medal.

Though it was their first gold medal since 1988, it marks the 5th consecutive Games where they’ve won a medal, winning three bronzes and a silver over the past four Olympics. They weren’t a big surprise as winners, as they were the 2015 World Champions. Croatia and Italy, who won silver and bronze in Rio, were the gold and silver medalists in London.

On the women’s side the United States went undefeated to repeat as Olympic champions after also winning in 2012. Women’s water polo was first competed at the Games in 2000, and the U.S. has won a medal all five times. They were the favorites after claiming gold at the 2015 World Championships.

They defeated the Italians in the final who won silver, and Hungary defeated Russia in a penalty shoot-out to take bronze.

 

 

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Human Ambition
8 years ago

Pictures are from World Championships though, Kazan and Barcelona. I guess FINA does not have the rights to the Olympic ones.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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