Invented in the late nineteenth century in Great Britain and played in many countries around the world, notably including Hungary, the game involves teams of seven players (plus up to six substitutes), with a ball similar in size to a soccer ball but constructed out of waterproof nylon. The goal of the game is to throw the ball into the teams goal net at the end of the pool, and prevent the opposition from doing so at the other end of the pool.
Mens water polo was the first Olympic team sport. It debuted in the 1900 games. Womens water polo was introduced in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games after political protests from the Australian womens team. Such protests were rewarded when Australia won the gold medal match against the United States with a "buzzer-beater" last-minute goal.
The annual Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge Universities is the longest running waterpolo fixture in the world, having run since 1891.
The most famous waterpolo match in history is probably the 1956 Summer Olympics semi-final match between Hungary and the Soviet Union.
As the athletes left for the games, the 1956 Hungarian revolution happened, and a 200,000 strong Soviet army crushed a small uprising of Hungarian insurgents. Many of the Hungarian athletes vowed never to return home, and felt their only means of fighting back was by victory in the pool. The confrontation was the most bloody and violent waterpolo game in history, in which the pool reputedly turned red from the blood spilt. The Hungarians defeated the Soviets 4-0 before the game was called off in the final minute to prevent angry Hungarians in the crowd reacting to Valentin Prokopov punching Ervin Zadors eye open. The Hungarians continued to win the championship by defeating Yugoslavia 2-1 in the final. Half of the Hungarian
Olympic delegation defected after the games.
Water polo world championships are held every year together with the world swimming championship, under the auspices of the "FINA Water Polo World League".
Today water polo is gaining popularity in the United States. Though the majority of domestic club teams are based in California and in Texas, it has become more widespread among New England preparatory high schools and Ivy League universities. Prince William of England is the captain of his collegiate water polo team.
Recently In the 2004 NCAA Finals Stanford was Defeated by UCLA.
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