Australia’s men’s and women’s water polo teams have learned their opponents for the 2017 FINA World Championships after the governing body recently announced both competition draws.
Australia’s Sharks and Stingers will both be in action when the 17th World Championships commence in Budapest from July 14.
The men’s team has been drawn in Group B alongside France, Italy and Hungary, whilst the women’s side will face Russia, Kazakhstan and Greece in Group D.
The Stingers are beginning a new era post-Rio, with the announcement of a new head coach made in February. Sakis Kechagias will led the women’s team, taking up the position having previously worked with Greece’s men’s and women’s national programs at different stages of his career.
The Stingers exited the 2016 Olympic Games at the quarter final stage following a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out defeat against Hungary.
At the last world championships in 2015, Australia finished fourth – with the tournament a breakout success for WA athlete Zoe Arancini, who was named in the FINA World All-Stars team at the competition’s end.
The Sharks are continuing to develop under head coach Elvis Fatovic and will face another test against host country and water polo heavyweight Hungary, the same national with whom the Australians played out an entertaining 9-9 draw at last year’s Olympic Games in Brazil.
The FINA World Championships in Budapest will also see swimming, diving and synchronised swimming events take place, as the world’s best aquatic sports athletes converge in Hungary between July 14-30.
