FINA World League Intercontinental Cup 2022

Published Mon 07 Mar 2022

The Australian men’s and women’s water polo teams have arrived in Lima, Peru for their first international tournament since the Tokyo Olympic Games, as they prepare to compete in the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup that will kick off overnight.

The first outing under new head coaches Paul Oberman (Aussie Stingers) and Tim Hamill (Aussie Sharks), the fresh faced teams will take on the non-European nations, with the top two nations securing a spot in the FINA World League Finals that will take place later this year.

Perth hosted the last FINA World League Intercontinental Cup in 2019, where the Aussie Sharks won gold and the Aussie Stingers took silver. With just over two years until the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the FINA World League Intercontinental Cup will offer both squads the opportunity to give new players the chance to play on the international stage.

The Aussie Stingers will be captained by dual Olympian Zoe Arancini (WA) who is pleased with how the squad is coming together.

“Preparations are going really well, we have had a week in Peru which has been good. We’ve got a new coach and a fresh young crew, so we will be playing our systems, practicing those over and over again… as well as have some fun and enjoy it.

“We have a young squad… and some of them haven’t played international water polo in two years, so they are really excited to be playing,” said Arancini.

Aussie Stingers Head Coach Paul Oberman said: “This tournament is a good opportunity for some international experience as there has been a lack of international games over the last three years. We will have six debutantes to cap up for Australia this week.

“We have athletes based in Europe, US colleges and Australia and even though we have had two camps, this group has only spent a few days together.

“The women are beginning to gel well with new tactics and getting a better understanding of each other,” said Oberman.

The Aussie Sharks will be co-captained by Tokyo Olympians Nathan Power (NSW) and Blake Edwards (VIC).

Edwards is excited about what he has seen from the squad during the week they have spent in Peru preparing.

“The week has been really good, a lot of energy amongst all the players and everyone is very positive. We want to take this opportunity to really build and make [FINA] World League Finals, play our systems and establish chemistry amongst the group,” said Edwards.

For Power, he said the squad is really taking in the experience and he’s looking forward to seeing what this new look squad can deliver in the pool

“This is my first time in Peru, it’s been good so far and the pool itself is quite amazing. The experience so far has been really enjoyable… we are lucky to have a lot of young talented players coming into the squad, we have a great opportunity in front of us,” said Power.

Aussie Sharks Head Coach Tim Hamill said: “We have a very new group [of Aussie Sharks] here in Peru… but with that comes a lot of enthusiasm and excitement.

“We have a long way to go to build our principles and style of play moving forward, but the energy level from the guys so far has been excellent and I’m looking forward to seeing how they go at this international standard,” said Hamill.

All games from the FINA Intercontinental Cup live streamed via the FINA YouTube Channel - click here.

Competition Schedule

Tuesday 8 March

1.30am (AEDT) I Aussie Stingers vs Argentina

8:00am (AEDT) I Aussie Sharks vs Argentina

Wednesday 9 March

4:30am (AEDT) I Aussie Stingers vs Canada

11:00am (AEDT) I Aussie Sharks vs Canada

Thursday 10 March

3:00am (AEDT) I Aussie Stingers vs Cuba

11:00am (AEDT) I Aussie Sharks vs Brazil

Friday 11 March