Australia has made its mark at the inaugural World Aquatics Water Polo 4×4 World Championships in Dubrovnik, Croatia, with the women finishing fourth and the men placing 10th in the first global edition of the fast-paced new format.
Held from 31 August to 6 September in Dubrovnik’s historic Old Port, the championships marked the first-ever global showcase of Water Polo 4×4, featuring four players per team, a smaller field of play and quicker transitions.
The Australian women enjoyed a strong campaign, progressing through the preliminary rounds before reaching the finals. The Aussies went toe-to-toe in a tight contest against Croatia in the quarterfinals, going all the way to a penalty shootout. They prevailed 4-3 in the shootout to set up a semi final showdown with the USA.
After a 3-0 loss to eventual champions (USA), Australia faced Russia in the bronze medal match, ultimately finishing fourth following a 3-0 defeat.
The Australian men also gained valuable experience in the new format, finishing 10th overall after competing through the classification rounds.
The campaign gave both Australian teams valuable experience in the inaugural global 4×4 tournament and an exciting new format designed to deliver a faster, more dynamic style of water polo.
For all results, click here.
