Water polo at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships – Women's tournament

The women's water polo tournament at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships was held from 16 to 28 July 2023. This was the 16th time that the women's water polo tournament has been played since the first edition in 1986.[1] Netherlands won their second title after defeating Spain in the final.[2]

Water polo at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships – Women's tournament
Tournament details
Host country Japan
Venue(s)Marine Messe, Fukuoka
Dates16–28 July
Teams16 (from 5 confederations)
Final positions
Champions Netherlands (2nd title)
Runner-up Spain
Third place Italy
Fourth place Australia
Tournament statistics
Matches played48
Goals scored1,157 (24.1 per match)
Top scorer(s)Spain Judith Forca
(23 goals)
Best playerSpain Elena Ruiz
Best goalkeeperNetherlands Laura Aarts
Next →

Qualification edit

Event Dates Hosts Quota Qualifier(s)
Host nation 1   Japan
2022 World League 25 January – 6 November 2022   Santa Cruz de Tenerife 2   Spain
  Hungary
2022 World Championships 20 June – 2 July 2022   Budapest 4   United States
  Netherlands
  Italy
  Australia
2022 European Championship 27 August – 10 September 2022   Split 3   Greece
  Israel
  France
2022 Asian Championship 7–14 November 2022   Samut Prakan 2   China
  Kazakhstan
2023 Pan American Water Polo Championships 3–8 April 2023   Bauru 2   Canada
  Brazil
  Argentina
African Wildcard 1   South Africa
Oceanian Wildcard 1   New Zealand
Total 16

Due the limited budget and the proximity of the date of the championship with the 2023 Pan American Games, Brazil withdrew before the tournament and was replaced by Argentina.[3][4]


Draw edit

The draw was held on 18 April 2023.[5]

Seeding edit

The pots were announced on 12 April 2023.[6]

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
  United States
  Hungary
  Netherlands
  Italy
  Spain
  Australia
  Canada
  Greece
  Argentina
  Israel
  France
  New Zealand
  South Africa
  Japan
  China
  Kazakhstan

The draw resulted in the following groups:

Group A Group B Group C Group D
  China   Spain   Argentina   Canada
  France   Israel   Greece   New Zealand
  United States   Netherlands   Italy   Hungary
  Australia   Kazakhstan   South Africa   Japan

Preliminary round edit

All times are local (UTC+9).[7]

Group A edit

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   United States 3 3 0 0 0 40 16 +24 9 Quarterfinals
2   Australia 3 2 0 0 1 26 24 +2 6 Playoffs
3   France 3 1 0 0 2 25 37 −12 3
4   China 3 0 0 0 3 24 38 −14 0
Source: Sportresult
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.


16 July 2023
09:00
Report United States   15–6   China Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Nóra Debreceni (HUN), Frank Ohme (GER)
Score by quarters: 1–0, 6–2, 3–1, 5–3
Musselman 4 Goals Zhang Jin. 3
16 July 2023
10:30
Report France   8–10   Australia Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Hélène Painchaud (CAN), Germán Moller (ARG)
Score by quarters: 3–3, 2–4, 2–1, 1–2
Bouloukbachi 3 Goals Andrews, Fasala 2

18 July 2023
17:30
Report Australia   5–9   United States Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Natalia Markopoulou (GRE), Nóra Debreceni (HUN)
Score by quarters: 3–5, 0–0, 1–3, 1–1
Williams 3 Goals three players 2
18 July 2023
20:30
Report China   11–12   France Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Tamás Kovács-Csatlós (HUN), Alessia Ferrari (ITA)
Score by quarters: 4–3, 1–3, 4–1, 2–5
Wang H. 3 Goals Dhalluin 4

20 July 2023
13:00
Report China   7–11   Australia Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Raffaele Colombo (ITA), Hélène Painchaud (CAN)
Score by quarters: 1–4, 3–2, 1–3, 2–2
Lu, Zhang Jin. 2 Goals five players 2
20 July 2023
16:00
Report France   5–16   United States Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Chisato Kurosaki (JPN), Alessia Ferrari (ITA)
Score by quarters: 1–5, 1–2, 0–4, 3–5
Bouloukbachi 2 Goals Prentice 4

Group B edit

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Netherlands 3 3 0 0 0 61 16 +45 9 Quarterfinals
2   Spain 3 2 0 0 1 52 17 +35 6 Playoffs
3   Israel 3 1 0 0 2 30 52 −22 3
4   Kazakhstan 3 0 0 0 3 13 71 −58 0
Source: Sportresult
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.


16 July 2023
12:00
Report Netherlands   7–6   Spain Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Alessia Ferrari (ITA), Nenad Peris (CRO)
Score by quarters: 1–2, 1–1, 3–2, 2–1
three players 2 Goals E. Ruiz 3
16 July 2023
13:30
Report Israel   17–6   Kazakhstan Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Natalia Markopoulou (GRE), Lee-Anne Stewart (RSA)
Score by quarters: 5–3, 6–1, 2–2, 4–0
three players 4 Goals Khritankova, Mirshina 2

18 July 2023
09:00
Report Kazakhstan   2–30   Netherlands Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Hélène Painchaud (CAN), Germán Moller (ARG)
Score by quarters: 0–10, 1–7, 1–9, 0–4
Mirshina, Pochinok 1 Goals Van de Kraats 8
18 July 2023
10:30
Report Spain   22–5   Israel Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Lee-Anne Stewart (RSA), David Couper (NZL)
Score by quarters: 5–2, 5–1, 5–0, 7–2
Camus, A. Ruiz 4 Goals five players 1

20 July 2023
17:30
Report Spain   24–5   Kazakhstan Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Nóra Debreceni (HUN), Lee-Anne Stewart (RSA)
Score by quarters: 5–3, 8–1, 5–0, 6–1
Peña 4 Goals Novikova, Tsoy 2
20 July 2023
20:30
Report Israel   8–24   Netherlands Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Natalia Markopoulou (GRE), David Couper (NZL)
Score by quarters: 1–7, 1–6, 2–5, 4–6
Futorian 3 Goals Joustra 5

Group C edit

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Greece 3 3 0 0 0 61 16 +45 9 Quarterfinals
2   Italy 3 2 0 0 1 63 19 +44 6 Playoffs
3   South Africa 3 1 0 0 2 16 57 −41 3
4   Argentina 3 0 0 0 3 12 60 −48 0
Source: Sportresult
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.


16 July 2023
16:00
Report Italy   27–1   Argentina Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Adil Aimbetov (KAZ), Sébastien Dervieux (FRA)
Score by quarters: 3–1, 7–0, 6–0, 11–0
Avegno 4 Goals Leonard 1
16 July 2023
17:30
Report Greece   24–2   South Africa Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Nicola Johnson (AUS), Darren Spiritsanto (USA)
Score by quarters: 7–1, 6–1, 6–0, 5–0
Fountotou, E. Plevritou 4 Goals Sileno, Zondo 1

18 July 2023
12:00
Report South Africa   2–24   Italy Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Jennifer McCall (USA), Chisato Kurosaki (JPN)
Score by quarters: 1–2, 0–7, 1–7, 0–8
MacDonell, Meecham 1 Goals Bettini, Giustini 4
18 July 2023
13:30
Report Argentina   2–21   Greece Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Adil Aimbetov (KAZ), Nicola Johnson (AUS)
Score by quarters: 1–6, 0–5, 1–6, 0–4
Bacigalupo, Hatcher 1 Goals three players 3

20 July 2023
09:00
Report Argentina   9–12   South Africa Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
David Gómez (ESP), Jennifer McCall (USA),
Score by quarters: 2–2, 3–5, 2–2, 2–3
Auliel 4 Goals Meecham 3
20 July 2023
10:30
Report Greece   16–12   Italy Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Nenad Peris (CRO), Matan Schwartz (ISR)
Score by quarters: 6–4, 4–1, 3–2, 3–5
four players 3 Goals four players 2

Group D edit

Pos Team Pld W PSW PSL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Hungary 3 3 0 0 0 60 36 +24 9 Quarterfinals
2   Canada 3 2 0 0 1 40 34 +6 6 Playoffs
3   New Zealand 3 1 0 0 2 33 52 −19 3
4   Japan (H) 3 0 0 0 3 49 60 −11 0
Source: Sportresult
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) Goal difference.
(H) Host


16 July 2023
19:00
Report New Zealand   17–16   Japan Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Jennifer McCall (USA), Matan Schwartz (ISR)
Score by quarters: 5–5, 4–3, 4–5, 4–3
Doyle 5 Goals Ura 5
16 July 2023
20:30
Report Hungary   11–10   Canada Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Marta Cabanas (ESP), Zhang Liang (CHN)
Score by quarters: 5–3, 2–2, 1–2, 3–3
Keszthelyi 4 Goals four players 2

18 July 2023
16:00
Report Canada   13–11   New Zealand Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Marta Cabanas (ESP), Darren Spiritsanto (USA)
Score by quarters: 7–4, 1–3, 3–0, 2–4
La Roche 3 Goals Howarth 4
18 July 2023
19:00
Report Japan   21–26   Hungary Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Matan Schwartz (ISR), Frank Ohme (GER)
Score by quarters: 4–5, 6–8, 5–7, 6–6
Arima 7 Goals Hajdú 5

20 July 2023
12:00
Report New Zealand   5–23   Hungary Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Veselin Mišković (MNE), Marta Cabanas (ESP),
Score by quarters: 3–6, 0–3, 2–9, 0–5
Doyle, Houghton 2 Goals Szilágyi 5
20 July 2023
19:00
Report Canada   17–12   Japan Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Adil Aimbetov (KAZ), Nicola Johnson (AUS)
Score by quarters: 5–1, 3–3, 5–4, 4–4
Lemay-Lavoie 5 Goals Arima, Kawaguchi 4

Knockout stage edit

Bracket edit

Championship bracket
 
PlayoffsQuarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 
 
 
24 July
 
 
  United States7
 
22 July
 
  Italy8
 
  Italy14
 
26 July
 
  New Zealand7
 
  Italy8
 
 
  Netherlands9
 
 
24 July
 
 
  Netherlands17
 
22 July
 
  Canada10
 
  South Africa6
 
28 July
 
  Canada21
 
  Netherlands (PSO)12 (5)
 
 
  Spain12 (4)
 
 
24 July
 
 
  Greece8
 
22 July
 
  Australia9
 
  Australia16
 
26 July
 
  Israel7
 
  Australia10
 
 
  Spain12 Third place
 
 
24 July28 July
 
 
  Hungary9  Italy16
 
22 July
 
  Spain12   Australia14
 
  France9
 
 
  Spain16
 
5th place bracket
 
5th–8th place semifinalsFifth place game
 
      
 
26 July
 
 
  United States16
 
28 July
 
  Canada4
 
  United States (PSO)11 (4)
 
26 July
 
  Hungary11 (2)
 
  Greece9
 
 
  Hungary10
 
Seventh place game
 
 
28 July
 
 
  Canada (PSO)10 (4)
 
 
  Greece10 (2)
9th place bracket
 
9th–12th place semifinalsNinth place game
 
      
 
24 July
 
 
  Israel15
 
26 July
 
  New Zealand12
 
  Israel7
 
24 July
 
  France11
 
  France20
 
 
  South Africa6
 
Eleventh place game
 
 
26 July
 
 
  New Zealand25
 
 
  South Africa6
13th place bracket
 
13th–16th place semifinals13th place game
 
      
 
22 July
 
 
  China16
 
24 July
 
  Kazakhstan6
 
  China18
 
22 July
 
  Japan10
 
  Argentina11
 
 
  Japan21
 
15th place game
 
 
24 July
 
 
  Kazakhstan10
 
 
  Argentina8

Playoffs edit

22 July 2023
14:00
Report Australia   16–7   Israel Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Marta Cabanas (ESP), Adil Aimbetov (KAZ)
Score by quarters: 7–2, 4–1, 3–1, 2–3
Armit 4 Goals Kordonskaia 3

22 July 2023
15:30
Report France   9–16   Spain Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Matan Schwartz (ISR), Raffaele Colombo (ITA)
Score by quarters: 1–3, 4–4, 2–5, 2–4
Bouloukbachi, Dhalluin 2 Goals Forca 5

22 July 2023
17:00
Report Italy   14–7   New Zealand Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Germán Moller (ARG), Chisato Kurosaki (JPN)
Score by quarters: 4–1, 6–2, 1–3, 3–1
Bettini 3 Goals Doyle 2

22 July 2023
18:30
Report South Africa   6–21   Canada Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Nicola Johnson (AUS), David Couper (NZL)
Score by quarters: 1–6, 1–4, 1–4, 3–7
Thornton-Dibb 2 Goals Wright 4

Quarterfinals edit

24 July 2023
15:00
Report United States   7–8   Italy Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Matan Schwartz (ISR), Zhang Liang (CHN)
Score by quarters: 2–3, 2–1, 2–2, 1–2
Steffens 4 Goals Giustini 3

24 July 2023
16:30
Report Netherlands   17–10   Canada Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Marta Cabanas (ESP), Natalia Markopoulou (GRE)
Score by quarters: 6–2, 5–3, 3–4, 3–1
three players 3 Goals McKelvey 4

24 July 2023
18:00
Report Greece   8–9   Australia Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Jennifer McCall (USA), Sébastien Dervieux (FRA)
Score by quarters: 4–3, 1–4, 3–2, 0–0
Xenaki 3 Goals four players 2

24 July 2023
19:30
Report Hungary   9–12   Spain Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Alessia Ferrari (ITA), Nenad Peris (CRO)
Score by quarters: 2–3, 2–3, 3–4, 2–2
Garda 4 Goals Forca 5

13–16th place semifinals edit

22 July 2023
09:00
Report China   16–6   Kazakhstan Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Jennifer McCall (USA), Hélène Painchaud (CAN)
Score by quarters: 3–1, 6–2, 3–2, 4–1
Yan S., Zhang J. 4 Goals Kaplun 3

22 July 2023
10:30
Report Argentina   11–21   Japan Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Alessia Ferrari (ITA), Lee-Anne Stewart (RSA)
Score by quarters: 0–8, 3–4, 5–4, 3–5
Bacigalupo 3 Goals Arima, Nishiyama 4

9–12th place semifinals edit

24 July 2023
12:00
Report Israel   15–12   New Zealand Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Nóra Debreceni (HUN), Chisato Kurosaki (JPN)
Score by quarters: 3–1, 5–3, 5–2, 2–6
Strugo 4 Goals Houghton, Nicholson 3

24 July 2023
13:30
Report France   20–6   South Africa Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Hélène Painchaud (CAN), Germán Moller (ARG)
Score by quarters: 4–1, 6–0, 5–4, 5–1
Vernoux 6 Goals Thornton-Dibb 3

5–8th place semifinals edit

26 July 2023
14:00
Report United States   16–4   Canada Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Alessia Ferrari (ITA), Lee-Anne Stewart (RSA)
Score by quarters: 5–1, 2–1, 6–1, 3–1
Flynn 5 Goals Browne 2

26 July 2023
15:30
Report Greece   9–10   Hungary Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Matan Schwartz (ISR), Zhang Liang (CHN)
Score by quarters: 1–2, 2–2, 4–5, 2–1
Ninou 3 Goals Garda, Keszthelyi 3

Semifinals edit

26 July 2023
17:00
Report Italy   8–9   Netherlands Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Sébastien Dervieux (FRA), Nóra Debreceni (HUN)
Score by quarters: 2–4, 3–2, 2–2, 1–1
Marletta 3 Goals L. Rogge, Wolves 2

26 July 2023
18:30
Report Australia   10–12   Spain Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Georgios Stavridis (GRE), Jennifer McCall (USA)
Score by quarters: 2–5, 4–3, 2–2, 2–2
Kearns 3 Goals E. Ruiz 4

15th place game edit

24 July 2023
09:00
Report Kazakhstan   10–8   Argentina Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Raffaele Colombo (ITA), Nicola Johnson (AUS)
Score by quarters: 3–0, 3–3, 2–4, 2–1
Khritankova, Novikova 3 Goals Bacigalupo 4

13th place game edit

24 July 2023
10:30
Report China   18–10   Japan Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Adil Aimbetov (KAZ), Lee-Anne Stewart (RSA)
Score by quarters: 4–3, 5–3, 4–3, 5–1
Lu, Yan J. 3 Goals Ura 3

Eleventh place game edit

26 July 2023
09:00
Report New Zealand   25–6   South Africa Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Chisato Kurosaki (JPN), Adil Aimbetov (KAZ)
Score by quarters: 7–0, 6–3, 6–1, 6–2
Houghton 7 Goals Meecham, Versfeld 2

Ninth place game edit

26 July 2023
10:30
Report Israel   7–11   France Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Nicola Johnson (AUS), Natalia Markopoulou (GRE)
Score by quarters: 2–3, 1–4, 1–4, 3–0
Bogachenko 4 Goals Millot 3

Seventh place game edit

28 July 2023
11:30
Report Canada   14–12   Greece Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Nóra Debreceni (HUN), Nicola Johnson (AUS)
Score by quarters: 4–1, 1–4, 4–1, 1–4  PSO: 4–2
Wright 3 Goals Xenaki 3

Fifth place game edit

28 July 2023
16:30
Report United States   15–13   Hungary Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Zhang Liang (CHN), Marta Cabanas (ESP)
Score by quarters: 4–2, 1–3, 5–4, 1–2  PSO: 4–2
Raney 3 Goals Keszthelyi 4

Third place game edit

28 July 2023
13:00
Report Italy   16–14   Australia Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Darren Spiritosanto (USA), Matan Schwartz (ISR)
Score by quarters: 5–4, 5–6, 3–1, 3–3
Bianconi 6 Goals Williams 3

Final edit

28 July 2023
18:00
Report Netherlands   17–16   Spain Marine Messe Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Referees:
Nenad Peris (CRO), Alessia Ferrari (ITA)
Score by quarters: 4–3, 2–3, 3–1, 3–5  PSO: 5–4
Van de Kraats, Sleeking 3 Goals Forca 5

Final ranking edit

Statistics and awards edit

Top goalscorers edit

Rank Name Goals[9] Shots %
1   Judith Forca 23 45 51
2   Simone van de Kraats 20 33 61
3   Rita Keszthelyi 19 39 49
  Yumi Arima 40 48
5   Emmerson Houghton 18 32 56
6   Roberta Bianconi 16 37 43
  Sofia Giustini 33 48
8   Claudia Marletta 15 27 56
  Elena Ruit 30 50
10   Alice Williams 14 39 36
  Eirini Ninou 30 47
  Eruna Ura 23 61
  Bernadette Doyle 34 41

Awards edit

The awards were announced on 29 July 2023.[2]

All-star team
Goalkeeper   Laura Aarts
Field player   Yumi Arima
  Roberta Bianconi
  Judith Forca
  Elena Ruiz
  Simone van de Kraats
  Alice Williams
Other awards
MVP   Elena Ruiz
Best goalkeeper   Laura Aarts

References edit

  1. ^ "HistoFINA – Water polo medalists and statistics" (PDF). fina.org. FINA. September 2019. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Netherlands regains water polo crown after 32 years". worldaquatics.com. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Two vacancies at World Championships: Brazilian teams don't arrive in Fukuoka". total-waterpolo.com. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Argentina In – World Aquatics Championships will now feature Argentina in the Men's and Women's Water Polo Tournaments". worldaquatics.com. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Draw for World Championships in Fukuoka: Two reigning champions in "Group of death"". total-waterpolo.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  6. ^ "The field is now set – Qualified teams for the Men's and Women's Water Polo Tournament for Fukuoka". worldaquatics.com. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  7. ^ "World Championships, schedule: Spain's ladies and men feature in opening day's derbies". total-waterpolo.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  8. ^ "World Aquatics Championships - Fukuoka 2023-Final Standings". worldaquatics.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  9. ^ Top scorers

External links edit