FINA Water Polo World League

FINA Water Polo World League

Current season or competition: 2011 FINA Men's Water Polo World League
Sport	Water polo
Founded	2002
Continent	International (FINA)
Most recent champion(s)	Serbia (Men's) United States (Women's)

The FINA Water Polo World League began in 2002 to capitalize on increased worldwide popularity of water polo created by recent Olympic Games, especially in Europe, North America and Australia. Competition between the world’s best male players began on national teams in a season format with a prize of half a million dollars at the league championship. FINA added a Women’s League in 2004 based on growing interest in the sport since introduction of women's water polo to the Olympic Games in 2000.

The game venues have television requirements to bring the sport to the biggest audience possible. Rule changes were made to provide more spectacular play and yield higher scores. Matches consist of four nine-minute quarters, with a ten-minute half-time break. Tie games are decided by an immediate penalty shootout.

Championship Tournament

The World League Tournament begins in July each year with a preliminary two round tournament for each group held in various cities. The three top teams from each Group then advance to two semifinal tournaments (A vs. B and C vs. D), and then the first three teams qualified in each semifinal will move on to the Super Finals in August. The host country team for the semifinals and Super Finals automatically qualifies. Prize money totaling $100,000 is awarded with the team finishing first at the Super Finals. Second place receives $70,000, with third place getting $50,000.

History

Men's Medal Count

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Serbia*	6	1	1	8
2	Hungary	2	2	1	5
3	Montenegro	1	1	0	2
4	Russia	1	0	0	1
5	Spain	0	2	0	2
	Italy	0	2	0	2
7	Croatia	0	1	2	3
8	United States	0	1	1	2
9	Australia	0	0	2	2
	Greece	0	0	2	2
11	Germany	0	0	1	1

* includes matches played as Serbia and Montenegro

Women's Medal Count

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	6	1	0	7
2	Russia	1	1	1	3
3	Greece	1	0	2	3
4	Australia	0	2	4	6
5	Italy	0	2	1	3
6	Canada	0	1	0	1
	Hungary	0	1	0	1

References

• FINA

External links

• FINA water polo official site
• FINA water polo official website